Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-21
RALPH OLIVIA ON
TRIAL FOR HIS LIFE
First Degree Murder Charged
for Alleged Shooting OF
Samuel Christiana.

Maintaining seemingly COM
piacent attitude, Ralph olivia. chars-
cd with murder In tho flrst degree Of
Samuel Christiana, yesterday. after
noon. before Chief Justice Pcnnewill.
and Judges Harrington and Richards
IN Court OF oyer and Terminer.
listened to tho evidence OF the State,
In which the shooting of Christiana
during u dispute In Washington street,
between Second and Third streets on
the afternoon OF Sunday. January 8,
WAS described by witnesses in the
case.
Seated directly In back of the
prisoner was Olivias wife with two
small children. one "A baby In arms.
On several occasions Olivia turned
around In the prisoners pen" and
smilingly chatted with his wife. Much
interest IN the case was evidenced
venlng nearly every seat in the room
room. An hour prior TO court con-
by tho people who crowded tho court
At five o'clock yesterday afternoon,
was taken.
the State had practically completed
It's testimony. Chief Justice Penne-
will ordered that the jury be conduct
ed to the Hotel du Pont in charge of
bailiff. to remain there for the night.
At least n dozen witnesses were
heard. Much OF the testimony re-
lated TO the indentihcation OF n green
overcost and brown soft hat, said TO
have been worn by the prisoner at
the time OF the alleged shooting. Both
overcoat, and hat were offered as
evidence. A lead bullet OF S2-calibre
was produced by the State. This bull
let. according to testimony, had fallen
from wound IN the stomach ot the
murdered man.
Attorncy-General Townsend and
Deputies Finger and Southerland are
conducting the prosecution and ].
Prank Ball is attorney for Olivia. The
case opened shortly before noon yes
terday. after an hour was required for
the drawing of the jury.
Crristiana, the dead man. according
90 Deputy Attorney-Gencra Souther-
land. WAS one OF three men, who were
engaged In a conversation on Wash
ington street between SNcond and Third
streets. Just prior TO the murder. A
dispute seemed 10 arise, he stated.
whereupon one Of the men alleged 10
have been Olivia. drew a revolver and
fred. He then calmly replaced the
pistol I'm his pocket.
Christ.ana went 10 Toltn's store. a,
Second and Washington streets. Mr.
sou,herland said. and from there ne
was taken 10 the Delaware Hospital
where he Died.
Julia Regolis, the second witness
called. testified 20 having been ir
company with ChristisnA an hou,
prior tc the time OF the alleged shoot.
ing. She said she had been engaged
20 marry the man. They both has
dinner together on the day OF tn,
murder. she said.
Police Offlcer William Snyder, VIII,
was a member OF the ambulance GREY
testified relative 10 the call at 2.l
o'clock on the afternoon OF Sunda,
January S, and OF the removal o
Christiana 70 the Delaware Hospita
IN the police ambulance. Mr.. Snyde
said he found Christiana lying un
conscious on the floor IN Tolin's store
on the way 10 the hospital. he quee
toned the wounded man. However
the only information obtsinable wa
that Christiana said he had been she
by white man" The testimony c
Policeman Snyder was corroborate
by William Robinson who on the da
Of the alleged murder. was also
member Of the ambulance crew.
Police Sergeant FOX testified TO II
location OF the alley in which Olivia
alleged 20 have taken refuge at SeS
ond and King streets. Detective Rne
Identified the green overcoat ar
brown hat as those worn by Olivia
the time Of his arrest
Police Officer Charles Faulkner. Il
first patrollnan TO arrive at Tolin
store. testified TO having reached Il
place Just as Christiana was falling
the floor. lie had been sitting on
chair. the officer eaid After findir
the bullet which had fallen from 4
wounded man. Policeman Faulkn
said that George Dup,o. who Is ne
a. q material witness. handed him
ss-ca1fbre revolver. eaying II was 4
ono used by the man who did II
shooting.
One q the most important witness
yesterday afternoon was Mrs. Ma.
Savfile, VINO lives at the oouthea
corner on lnnN AllO w 66u1Q9l(
streets. Mrs. SaviIle. despite her 6
we're quizdng by counsel for the q
tendant. told of having heard five di
tlnct shots a short distance ava
ehe said. after hearing the shots. s
raised the window and saw Olivia pa
her home. Mrs. Savtre identified {
green coat and brown hat as rho
wrn by Olivia at the time ne pass
her home
John Plumbline, a retired pa1rotrns
who lives in PHILADELPHIA In test4fy1
for The State. said ne was walking
West Third street when he hea
cries OF stop cae murderer" He a.
t1crrttied the green coat and brov
hat which he said, We're worn
olivia.
Harry Sloan told OF having Sc
the three men IN conversation and