The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-03-14
ASSERTED INNOCENCE
TO THE VERY END
Retkovitz Electrocuted in Boston for the
Murder of Mrs. Domba Premebida
Said He Was Not Afraid
to Die.

Boston, March l4-Anom Retkovitl
was electrocuted in the state prison early
to-day for the murder of Mrs. Domba
Premebida in Fall River just two years
ago.
The current was applied at 1906
] o'clock. Retkovitz was officially pro
nounced dead at 1900: 10. He protested
| his innocence to the last. "
During conversation with Warden Ma
than d. Allen, Retkovitz said to the Off
cials at the prison: "a guilty man is
afraid to die. A good man is not afraid
to die. Why should | be afraid 7"
During the day the condemned man
wrote two letters, one to his father and
one to his mother, both of whom live in
Russia. In each letter Retkovitz pro-
tested that he was innocent
There were 10 witnesses to the exeeu-
ton: DR.. Joseph /. Mclaughlin, the pris-
on physician; DIR. George B. Magrath,
medical examiner of Suffolk county; DR..
Frank p. Williams. surgeon general of
the state militia; Edwin II. Evans, sher
iff of Bristol county, where the crime
occurred; Warden Nathan d. Allen, Will
liam Hendry, deputy warden; A. j. Cor
don, newspaper man; Rev Sebastian
Kapenko. Retkovitz' spiritual adviser;
Rev. William B. Whitney, prison chap
lain, and Rev. NJ. j. Murphy, prison
chaplain.
Retkovitz walked to his death calmly
and helped adjust the death cap. He
was accompanied by Rev. Whitney, who
chanted the prayer for the dead, and
Rev. Kapenko. Retkovitz did not utter
a word.
Owing to the mans great strength, an
heavy current was necessary
to put him to death. The first current
of ! 900 volts, which was MAIN
tanned for 10 seconds.
The current was then dropped to 200
volts for 20 seconds and this was raised
again to 1000 volts, which was main
tanned for 10 seconds. This was dropped
again to 200 volts, which after 2l sec
onds was jumped to 1000 volts, which
was kept on for five seconds.
Retkovitz wore a crucifx suspended
from his neck by steel chain. When !
physicians examined his body they found /
that the electric current had scared his
lesh with the imprint of the cross.
Retkovitz was twice convicted for the /
murder OF Domba Peremebida in Fall
River on the morning of March IL. 1914. t
3ircumstantial evidence PLAYED a large 4
,art in the conviction Of Retkovitz The
Iccused man was tried twice. the second .
rial having been granted on exceptions.
When for a second time he was found
-uilty of murder in the first degree. Ret /,
,ovitz accepted his fate stoicailv, and
discouraged offers Of intercession with 4
be governor. IL
Mrs. Peremebida. a housemaid with 4
vhom Retkovitz had been intimate. was
illed at the house where she was en-
loyed. Her throat was cut with a raz- Z
r The Fan River police learned that
,efkovitz had lived with the woman in
pennsylvania. and that be had followed /
er 20 Fan River. and threatened and ]
sssulted her when she refused 70 return /
D him A razor. found near the BODY. I
.as said q have been his property. Evi- i
ence was given AZ the trials that The I
an Rad openly threatened @to cut hsr q
aek ike 3 chicken Retkositz was Ar. J
sstsi il Boston a week after the crime. !