New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-13
Followers Escort Him
Home After His
Release
THEN FESTIVITIES
ARE BEGUN ANEW
Women Kiss Man Acquit-
ted After Jury Delib-
crates % Hours


yesterday Of the charge Of having pro-
,o-es ,he murder Of his political oppo-
..s, Michael Gaimari. As soon as the
,,r3iet was returned his friends and
s,ilewcrs began a celebration probably
vtbout parallel in New York.
Freed after trial lasting thirty-four
DAYS. she former Deputy Street Clean
ipg Commissioner became the object OF
demonstration tha; started in the
Criminal Courts Building shortly be-
fore 2 o'clock, spread out into three
surrounding streets and then followed
him home. Last night it seemed likely
that the festivities would continue al
most indefinitely.
The celebration began with the col
lapse OF Rofrano's brother James and
his friend and ally. Morris Geronimo;
iie verdict was too much for them, and
they fell forward upon the reporters
,able in the courtroom and sobbed
loudly. Its highest point was reached
when Mayor Mitchell Said over the tele-
phone;
q am glad 70 hear that Mr.. Rofrano
has proved his innocence"
Women Kiss Rofrano
Men kissed him and cheered him.
Women kissed him and cried over him.
Girls came TO his home with arms full
Of red roses and big yellow chrysanthe-
nuns Old women. wrapped in shawls
CT vivid green and red. climbed the
steps Of the brownstone house at IL
Oliver Street to seize his hand and talk
roubly in Italian With them came
their men, iii al ease in holiday clothes,
but equally eager to tell mike" how
glad they were to find him free again.
The coolest man through il all was
Rofrano. He showed no emotion as he
awaited the verdict and none when he
heard it, His only move was to lay a
soothing hand upon the shaking shoul-
ders Of the sobbng Geronimo. He
showed no fatigue after he had been
thumped and embraced and had shaken
the hands Of hundreds.
But. God knows, ! am glad to be
back home with these five kids!" he re-
marked
The happiest woman was Mrs. Ro-
franc. She had not been permitted 70
hear the verdict in the courtroom; she
h.I -f1o~~eA to ,tda hnnna
IN the automobile that carried her hus-
band. She had only had n chance TO
say: ooh. God is good, Mikel" when
he was hustled away from the court
room. Mrs Rofrano spent most Of the
day in the background, but there was
light IN her eyes and a smile on her
face that showed she was content.
No Enemies in Sight
There we're no enemies in sight when
The acquitted political leader came
home. but there was evidence enough
that he had not lost them when he re-
gained his liberty.
Forty policemen and plainclothes men
roamed about the Criminal Courts
Building during the morning. -Four
rode in the resplendent limousine that
carried Rofrano to Oliver Street A
DOZEN camped about the house after
room and evening, under the immediate
supervision Of Inspector Dwyer. The
feoeption line moved rapidly in and out
Of the Rofrsno home, but ITS ranks
were always closely scanned.
The jury retired at 4 o'clock Satur-
Gay afternoon. At noon yesterday the
twelve mon were still in conference sf-
YER sloepless night. Only once had
hey asked for instructions, and then
ne nature Of their question was such
as n oishearten the friends Of the
man whose life was in the balance.
Alfred y. Newhall, the foreman, in
CURED IL the jury had the right to con-
net FOR murder in the second degree.
Justice Weeks replied that it's members
could determine the degree of guilt:
Nhereupon the twelve retired, and moth
ltg was heard from them until they
NED into the courtroom at 1855, with
,heir verdict They were pale from
loss Of sleep. but obviously happy. Two
Jurors were smiling.
Rofrano Takes His Place
Roirsnc entered unobtrusively and
,,ook his place in the dock. Justice
Weeks warned The small crowd in the
courtroom that there must be no
demonstration, either of approval or
disApproval. Then the formal question
vas put 20 the jury.
han.
There was a slight stir. James Ro-
fraro and Geronimo collapsed. sobbing
scoibly. The acquitted man showed no
easngo of expression, made no move
except 20 comfort the weeping Geroni-
no. But out in the dark corridors
ne waiting crowd broke the rules ana
saeeTed Justify.
Martin w. Littleton, counsel for the
eefenee, jumped from his chair and
ierried 20 the rear Of the courtroom,
wnnere his wife was waiting. Assistant
District Attorney George y. Brothers
shook hands with Rofrano and left the
room. The formalities OF discharge
were disposed Of IN record time; In
Two minutes the room was deserted.
heaHwh;l-. a great crowd was gath
srlng outside IN Centre Street, extend
tx back i1to Franklin and White
directs Long before Rofrano appeared
tHs cheering had begun. Mr.. Littleton
VAT wildly welcomed as the next
Ea1cr ~ hcw YORK" Tho police were
n1cd IN controlling the throng. which
sson numbered more than 1000.
l. Greeted by Women