The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-07-30
FRANK LANG
ARRESTED AGAIN
Man Released by Supreme
Court on Murder Charge
Is In Jail.
NOW PETTY LARCENY
Lang Is Charged with Stealing
an Automobile Tire;
Pleads Not Guilty.

. p B
Frank Lang, so, of TOT Elm street,
the same man who was arrested for
the murder of Charles Pacini, con-
victed, sent to the state prison at
Waupun and released on a vigorous
reversal Of the courts decision by the
supreme court of the state, was this
morning in Jail again.
He was arrested on a warrant
charging petty larceny of an auto
mobile tire, valued at SO, on the
complaint of Edward Nickolay. The
arrest was made by the police Thurs
day night. Lang spent the night in
the city lookup, quarters which he
has not visited since his arrest FIVE
years ago in September 1920, when
he was brought in on the charge of
suspicion of the burglary of the Lock-
hardt Jewelry store.
Pleads Not Guilty.
Lang shuffled into court this morn
ing in house slippers, which he was
wearing at the time of his arrest
Thursday evening. Judging from his
appearance, he had not put in the
time since he left state prison to
much account.
Arraigned on the charge of petty
larceny, he, pleaded not guilty. He
said to acting Municipal Judge r. ".
Baker, II want to tell you what hap
pened." Judge Baker told the defen
dant that he would have an oppor-
tunity for that later. Lang then went
to the telephone to ask an attorney to
come down and represent him. His
case was set for trial after consulting
the district attorney.
a.G4 REEVES Old Case.
Lang's. appearance in the court
room this morning excited some little
comment among the bystanders, and
the old story of his former arrest,
spectacular confession" and equally
spectacular release by the supreme
court, was revived again.
Charles Pacini, wealthy theater-
owner, was shot and killed on the
night of August 26, 1920. His as
sassin escaped. Though they followed
every clue, the police were unable to
discover. the. identity of the murderer.
On September 20, 1920, Frank Lang,
a man who had been arrested and
paroled on theft charges, was arrested
on suspicion of burglary of the Lock-
hardt store. During the night he was
under fire in the police Office and at
four o'clock in the morning he signed
confession, stating that he murder
ed Charles Pacini. The man "con-
fessed" to a number of persons in
the police office, on the train to Chi
cago where he was taken the follow
ing day to see if the record Of sale
of gun to him could be found, and
if the Lockhardt jewels which he also
admitted stealing, could be located,
and in Chicago also. But the follow
ing day when brought into the circuit
court before Judge Belden, and when
aAlawyer appeared, sent by his wife,
Lang arepudiated the confession of
murder, and said that he had been
beaten into it.
Police Department Changes.
A Juror followed, which resulted in
complete reorganization of the
police department. Lang after trial
was convicted and sent to state pri-
son. But the supreme court on an
appeal of the case by Lang's attor-
neys, reversed the decision of the
circuit judge, and sent the case back,
including in the opinion of the SUI
preme justice, severe rebuke for
the police.
The case served as an impetus for
the calling of grand jury. Two
officials who were in Office at the time
of Lang's arrest, went to state prison,
found guilty of offenses entirely dis
ISOLATED however with the Pacini case.
A new police chief was appointed
to office; the police officer who was
in charge of the police department
at the time the so-called confession"
was obtained, resigned. Practically a
new police department was built up.