Evening star., 1934-12-15
OLD lob SOUGHT
BYMRS. BUCC0LO
Freed In Staying of Her
Husband, She Plans to
Resume Work.

A free woman today after IA months
in jail awaiting trial on first-degree
murder indictment, Mrs. Mary Irene
Buccolo's first thoughts concern a re-
quest for her old job at the Civil Serv-
ice Commission early next month. Be-
fore asking this, however, she plans
a brief trip with friends to Philadel-
phia.
A jury in District Supreme Court
set her free last night, accepting her
defense that she shot her husband
Rudolph as an act of self-preservation
when in fear that he would kill her.
The jury deliberated only an hour.
Mrs. Buccolo, at the time of the
shooting on September 8, 1888, was a
section chief at the Civil Service Com
mission, in the classification section.
She was put on leave of absence after
the shooting and it Is necessary for hel
to apply for reinstatement. Many of
her superiors and associates at the
commission appeared in her behalf at
the trial as character witnesses.
Visits Relatives.
After the verdict last night she
did not 90 to her old home at 4104
Fifth street. scene Of the shooting,
but went with relatives to 719 Fourth
street northeast.
The Buccolo case has been on the
front pages because of a number OF
unusual features. 1t was several
times set for trial in District Su-
preme Court, and when Assistant
United States Attorney John j. Fitz-
patrick opposed further continuances
he and Justice James M. Proctor be.
came engaged in a dispute which
finally led to Fitzpatrick's resigna'
ton.
The case had been on trial foM
days, and its trial was marked by
restraint throughout. The usual bittel
personal clashes between opposing
counsel were absent. The prosecution
never in so many words asked fol
the death verdict, although it put in {
case of wilful and premeditated mur'
der. "a righteous verdict" was wha
United States Attorney Leslie c. Gar
nett asked in his closing address.
The jury took the case at 4:2s
o'clock pm, and announced that i
was ready with a verdict at 5:25. /
had been instructed by Justice Proctor
that it could find the defendant guilt.
of first-degree murder, murder in th'
second-degree, manslaughter, or acqui
her under the evidence.
Justice Proctor had left the court
house, but was summoned back. HI
warned against any demonstration
when the verdict, whatever it Is,
should be announced. When the fore
man of the jury said mot guilty" ther
was a hush throughout the court, no
disturbed until after the judge hac
left. Even then every one spoke II
subdued tones.
Defendant Calm.
Mrs. Buccolo, standing to receive
the sentence, preserved the calm thai
has marked her throughout. Hel
brother. B. Edward Soper, tall ant
gray-haired, was the first to congrat
ulate her. He put his arm arounc
her and hugged her, but seemed no
to say anything. Mrs. Flora E. Macl
and Mrs. Gertrude Miller, mother anc
aunt of Mrs. Buccolo, embraced he
with tears streaming down their faces
Then Mrs. Mack shook hands witt
the lawyers who had defended he
daughter Rudolph Yeatman, Georg'
D. Horning, jr.; Wilton j. Lamber
and George B. Fraser. Mrs. Buccolo
asked for statement, remained
silent, but willingly posed for mum
ber of photographs. She left thu
court house in an automobile will
her mother and aunt.
picture on Page AL