Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-06-18
Offer New Evidence
In Case of Radicals
SaccO and Vanzetti

Cambridge, Mass, June 17-(P1--
New evidence in support of a new
trial for Nicola Sacco and Bartolo-
meo Vanzetti, world famous radicals
and convicted murderers. was re-
vealed by defense counsel in a court
hearing today. It included an affi-
davit by Celestino Madeiros. con-
victed bank holdup murder. that he
and Frank Carr of Providence ad-
mitted the murder of paymaster
and his guard in 1920 OF which Sac
co and Vanzetti have been con-
victed.
Madeiros. according to William G.
Thompson, chief of defense counsel.
said in the confession that he fell
in with gang Of freight car thieves
in Providence in April, 1920, and
that they persuaded him to join
them in an attempt to steal the
payroll of the Slater and Morrill,
Company in South Braintree; that
they all went to Boston early the
day of the Braintree murder Chat
of which Sacco and Vanzetti were
convicted); that they there learned
at what time the payroll would be
sent from Boston to South Brain
tree; that they later returned to
Providence and that same morning
w Cit u IoOulu oIdluIISS "1CIS liz
murder was committed as described
by witnesses at the trial, and that
Madeiros went to Providence sa-
loon the next night to receive his
share Of the booty, only to find that
he had been doubled crossed" and
that his confederates in the crime
had disappeared.
Thompson said that Madeiros lat
err swore to this confession as an at
fidavit, adding the words that Il
know the last names of the gang but
I refuse to tell them"
Mr.. Thompson said the aff1davits
would prove this to have been the
Morelli gang, the leader of which is
still serving a sentence in Leaven-
worth. Kas., penitentiary.
The hearing was on the common
,, wealth's motion to limit to next Sat-
urday the time for filing affldavits
in support of motion for new
trial Judge Webster Thayer grant
ed a two weeks extension. and said
that sentence would not be imposed
upon Sacco and Nanzetti until he
had decided the new trial motion.
The defense affidavits were not
filed today, but the contents of IS
Of them were outlined by Thomp-
son.
The Madeiros confession. Thomp-
son told the court. was sent to Sac
CO in December, 1925, when the two
were in Dedham Jail. The latter
was then awaiting his second trial
for the murder of bank cashier in
a Wrentham bank holdup, Novem-
Der /, 1925.
Thompson pointed out that Ma
deiros in making the confession was
causing grave risk to his own life,
as it's revelation in his pending trial
would have seriously prejudiced the
jury against him.
Other affidavits. Thompson said.
included that of Policeman Jacobs
of New Bedford that the police
stopped their investigat ton of the
Morelli gang when Sacco and Van
zetti were arrested. Another New
Bedford policeman and stenograph-
err. he said, had sworn to an affi-
davit that Madeiros' sister admitted
to them that Madeiros was in Prov
idence up to two days before his ar
rest May l, 1920. Several aff1davits.
Thompson said, showed that the
goods the Morellis were charged
with stealing included goods sent
from sthe Slater and Morrill, firm in
South Braintree and a firm next
door to IT.