New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-29
ROFRANO REUSED
In WITNESS CHAIR
Clashes with Prosecutor
Keeps Refuge Secret;
Tells of Flight

The whereabouts Of Michael A Ro-
franc, ex-Deputy Street Cleaning Com
missioner, during his eight months ao-
sence after his indictment as the In
stigator Of the murder Of Michael Gla-
mari still is a mystery. Rofrano, both
on direct and EXPERIMENTATION at his
trial yesterday. refused to clear up the
mystery. except to say that ne was
"out of the state" Why be fed. no
franc told eagerly. even passionateiy'
81 was almost distracted by the
thought that was going TO be IN
dicted for murder. especially a murder
of which | was as innocent as a new
born babe" he said. 81 believed that
I was being sacrificed to further some
ones political ambitions and that was
the victim of the most outrageous and
sbominable frame-up ever attempted
against any man."
Rofrano said he heard he was to be
indicted about noon on September To-
1915. His counsel. Emory R. Buckner'
former Assistant District Attorney, was
in the hospital undergoing an opera
ton, he said. He walked down to the
Hudson Tunnel station and took train
to Summit Avenue station. There he
said he looked at some property. all
the time intending to return to New
York.
Beginning Of Flight
"When I got there the matter had
been brooding on my mind. so that l
wonder / did not 90 mad. / finally de-
cided not to 90 back that night l
wanted to avoid a spectacular arrest.
I didn't want to be Inundated in the
neighborhood. That marked the begin
ming of my flight"
"You often determined to 20 back.
didn't you?" asked Martin W. Little
ton. Rofrano's counsel.
almost daily-and almost daily
determined not TO do so. After the
treatment accorded me by the District
Attorney and the Inducements | knew
were working against me and the senti'
ment and atmosphere that had been
created in the newspapers. and after
l saw what was printed and published
about me during the next two or three
days, don't think there is man liv
ing who would think he could 90 back
and get a fair. square trial at that
time" said Rofrano in perfect tor
rent of words. "And under those con-
ditions and with the atmosphere per
meated as il was at the time with all
sorts of accusations against me l al
last determined to remain away" .,
Al this iuncture Mr.. Littleton turned
the defendant over to Assistant DIS
trict Attorney Brothers Tor cross-ex
animation.
Keeps Hiding Place Secret
"You claim" began Mr.. Brothers,
Chat YOU went away because the DIS
trict Attorney wouldn't give you an
opportunity to be heard, yet when you
got an opportunity to be heard you ran
away, didn't you?"
"No, sir" replied fo1rano.
"You say you won't tell where you
were, but you say the persons about
YOU did not know who you were
Eyes, sir"
"Then how could any harm come TO
them if they didn't know you were
fugitive from justice?"
II want to shield them from noto-
riety and annoyance from newspapers
and"--
"How far away we're you"
"Oh-I was out of the state" Ko.,
franc replied, with return of the old
smile he often displayed on direct ex-
animation.
men you were WITH"
mo, sir"
"But you gave yourself up near his
place of business in Washington Square
South, didn't you?"
eyes, sir"