The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-11-20
DISMISS VAN
PATTEN CASE
Case Against Joseph Van
Patten Doesn't Get as
Far as Jury.
CAMILLE CASE ENDS.
Jury Brings in a Verdict of
"Guilty" Just Before Noon
in Memorial Day Case.

The case of the state against Joseph
Van Patten, charged with possession
of a Buick automobile on which the
serial number had been altered, was
well under way this morning with a
jury in the box when just before II
o'clock this noon it was discovered
that one of the main witnesses for
the state was not present, The wit
ness was Vito Salerno, partner of
John Olivieri, and part owner of the
automobile which the two men claim
ed had been stolen from them over a
year ago. Both men live in Gary,
Indiana. The testimony of Salerno's
was important and indeed necessary
for the state before it could complete
it's chain Of evidence, as Salerno was
the last man who had the car before
it was taken away or stolen from the
beach where Salerno had it.
The district attorney did not know
that Salerno had not arrived until
Olivieri had left the stand after CIV
ing his own testimony. Then the dis
trict attorney told him to call his
friend. 1t was explained that he had
not come.
"Why, you were both notified to
come!" cried District Attorney Bar
nett with some evaporation. The
partner replied that Salerno was busy
and could. not get away.
eff you had let me know that this
morning before the case was called,
we could have secured continuance;
now it is too late" said the district
attorney.
, Mr.. Barnett then informed the court
of the state of affairs and asked for
a dismissal. He said he was unable
to proceed further with the case, lack
ing this witness.
Judge Slater ordered the case to be
dismissed, saying that after jury
had been drawn it was impossible for
the court to hold the case open pend
ing the arrival of witnesses.
Meanwhile another jury which was
out celebrating in the case of the
State VS.. Joseph Camilli, charged with
failing to stop and give aid to an in
jured person, came in ten minutes of
twelve with a verdict of guilty. At
torneys Stewart and Vaudreuil, rep
resenting the defense, announced to
the court that they would at once pre-
pare motion asking the court to set
aside the verdict.
Camilli while driving car to ST.
Georges cemetery last Memorial Day
to visit his daughters grave struck
and injured John Putt of Middle
street, who is now in the hospital for
the insane. Camilli testified that he
did not see the man. His testimony
and corroborating testimony of the
state witnesses was that he stopped
of his own accord after he got about
400 feet from the point of collision.
He said that he did not see any one
or see the car strike any one but that
he stopped after hearing his wife cry,
"Stop! there's somebody lying in the
road" or words similar to these.
The defense called attention to the
fact that the state law imposing a
penalty on those who fail to give aid
to injured is aimed at motorists and
others who speed away after striking
somebody. The defense pointed out
that Camilli did stop and that he did
not speed on. The case will be taken
up later when the proper motions
have been fled in court before Judge
Slater.
Leon Marion, Boy Scout, and other
lads, Anthony Demencios and Frank
Acceto, were witnesses on the case
Marion went to the injured mans as
sistance and the other boys were
present on the scene on the day of the
accident.
The case of the State against Jacib
Bentz is set for trial this afternoon.
Other cases slated for trial are those
against Ottile Cicchini, Frank Martini,
John P. Haupziger, julius Krupinski,
Anthony Razoni and Louis Maroney.