Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1865-02-22 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

MURDER OF A RUSSIAN SAILOR AT  SWANSEA.  The people of Swansea were greatly startled en Thursday morning by the rumour that a murder had been committed in the town An investigation into the matter soon showed that the rumour was correct—at least to this extent, that a man, a Russian sailor, had been found dead in the street late on the previous evening, under circumstances which left no doubt that his death was the result of violence, and that two Italian seamen had been taken into custody on suspicion of having been concerned in the crime. Further investigation and fuller knowledge of the facts have only deepened and darkened the first impression of the sad affair, and have proved beyond doubt that our town, ea the whole, happily, so free from minim of this terrible character, has been the scene of one of the most delibe rated, dastardly, and, so far as appears, unprovoked murders that has ever taken place in South Wales. The only consolation we can feel is that the perpetrator of the crime is neither a Welshman nor an Engiishman ; but, as was the case also in the last murder which took place amongst us (that of the Greek cook Anastasio Metrophaino), a foreigner. It is very remarkable that the murder to which we have just alluded was committed in Swansea on February 16th, 1858, seven years previously to that now in question, almost to the day. Selapatance and Alepis, the two Greek sailors convicted of the murder, were tried on the 27th of Feb-nary, and executed at Swansea on the 20th of March, 1858. The facts of the case, which have b en much misrepresented in many respects, are so fully and so accurately given in the evidence of the witnesses at the Caroner's Inquest, of which we give a report below, and are no well summarised in the address of the coroner to the Jury, that it is needless t 3 repeat them here. It may be useful, however, to premise the fell ,wing few particulars:— The deceased is Peter Maitch, a Russian seaman, a native of Riga, about 29 or 30 years of age. Ile arrived in this port some two or three weeks since in the British barque "Hastings," which vessel is now under. going repairs in the dry dock. Since his sojourn in this port he has been boarding at Walstrom'a boarding house, Fisher-street, and seems to have borne a good character, at least so far as quietness is concerned. He was convicted at Swansea, before the borough magistrates, on the 16th of February, IF6I, and sentenced to three months' imprisonment, for enticing an apprentice, named Joseph Keazer, to steal a silver watch, two sovereigns, and other property, belonging to Serd Lammers, the master of a vessel, but he always deduced his innocence of this charge. He had been drinking on Wednesday night, at the Star public-house, in Cross. street, and left about twelve o'clock, in company with an Italian named Francisco Giardinieri, and another man whose came is unknown. lie was seen walking with them arm-in-arm, from Cross-street to FisherStreet, apparently on perfectly friendly terms, no quarrel, so far as ran be ascertained, having taken place between them pieviously. When just opposite deceased's lodgings Giardinieci suddenly stepped forward and struck the deceased a blow in the abdomen. He exclaimed ' Oh, God! staggered a few steps forward, fell down, and died almosit immediately. Giardinieri ran away, but Was apprehended the next morning. It was found that the deceased had been stubbed, and a long, narrow knife, such as would have inflicted the fatal wound (but which has not yet been identified as Giardinieris) was found near the spot next morning. The other facts and circumstances of the case will be found fully stated below.