The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-01-31
Finn Case
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Ten Persons rial
of All \ ~ John
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{ ~ attorney
hSss, Testimony.
Family CARRIED in Black

The aged mother. two brothers and
other relatives of John Salerno, all
clad in black. sat in federal court yes
sented its evidence against Thomas
n. Finn. a fair-haired youth, who is
on trial for the murder Of Salerno the
night of October Z, 1922. The small
courtroom was crowded with specta-
tors. most of them from the Italian
section of the city.
Many women clustered around Finn
before and after court to shake hands
with him.
The case moved rapidly. Judge
Woodrough expressed the desire to
continue with an evening session, but
attorneys pleaded that their witnesses
were not all present. 1t is expected
the case will be finished this after.
noon.
Tells of Death" Route.
John Spartaro. proprietor of the
Lyons hotel, Ill North Thirteenth
street. told how he and Finn and
Elsie Parkhurst. who works at the
hotel. started out in Spartaro's auto
mobile the night OF October and
after visiting several resorts came to
Seventh and Pierce streets, where
John Salerno saw Finn and accused
him OF being "a stool pigeon. for the
federal prohibition enforcement de-
partment.
John Salerno called his brother. Sc
bastiano, who took him. Spartaro and
Finn in his Cadillac car to the Sports
man cigar store. Fifteenth and Har-
ney streets. where John entered and
asked Sol Abrams whether Finn was
the stool pigeon who knocked over
Morris Rubin's place
Abrams then joined the party and
they proceeded to the Hog Ranch
cabaret in East Omaha, where Rubin
said, Rubin identified Finn. and then
the party returned. dropping Abrams
at Sixteenth and Farnam streets and
then proceeding to Sixth pnd Pierce
streets, where Spartaro alighted.
Brother Testifies.
Sebastiano Salerno. brother of the
dead man, testified that he heard no
loud talk or dispute during the entire
trip. lie said he was turning his car
at Sixth and Pierce streets when he
heard three shots fired.
II looked around and there was
Finn holding an automatic pistol in
his left hand against my brothers
heart" said Sebastiano. 81 heard
John say. I'm dying, I'm dying.
Then Finn fired three shots at me,
but I ducked and they went through
the windshield
Reads Statement Of Witness.
Assistant County Attorney Stall
master read the testimony of Elsie
Parkhurst. She stated that John Sa-
lerno, when he met Finn first, ac-
cused him of being stool pigeon. "
and then struck him, knocked him
down and kicked him several times
She said also that he forced him into
the big car when he and Sebastian
took him up town for identification.
Sol Abrams corroborated Sebas-
tino's testimony Norris Cap RuD-
in testified to his conversation with
them at the Hog Ranch cabaret.
Direction Of Car Told.
Policeman Jack Rose, Sebastiano
Bonfiglo, Alfrido Popovlna and Mario
Tranisi all testified that the death
car was headed in a northwesterly
direction when the shooting occurred.
This is important because of Films
claim that he shot because he believ-
ed the brothers were taking him down
to the river to bump him off.
The prosecution is not asking the
death penalty. The jury. in accord
ance with federal court custom, was
taken to hotel last night in charge
of Bailiff Anton Gross.