Before Coroner Brown the officers arraigned Antonio
Ziropoli, 82 years old of 128 Elizabeth Street and his
wife, Carmelio, 51 years old, charging them with the
murder. They were held as principals and sent to the
Tombs. In addition the following were held as witnesses
and sent to the House of Detention. Michael Ziropoli, 20
years old, son of the alleged murderer: Leo
Guardino, 27 years old, of 117 Elizabeth street, brother
of the dead man; Mary Purigina, 27 Years old, of 126
Elizabeth street: Lorenzo Maistola, 29 years old, of 118
Elizabeth street: Rosie Guardino, 18 years old, widow of
the dead man; Kate Guardino, 16 years old, sister of the
dead man: Stephen Guardino, 20 years old, a brother, of
123 Elizabeth street, and Accurzo De
Chiarello, 14 years old of 149 Elizabeth street.
Mrs. Ziropoli was in a hysterical condition and had to
be supported. Rosie Guardino, the wife of the murdered
man, was also hysterical. Her hair was down her back,
her eyes red with weeping and she appeared on the verge
of collapse. Many of the witnesses and others in the
court rooms bore marks of the fight which was on when
the murder was committed.
When Detective Sergeants James T. Galligan and Joseph E.
Burke, with Patrolmen Henry J. Hauck and James J.
McGaugh, who had charge of the prisoners, started to
remove the witnesses to the House of Detention, there
was much confusion. The Italians, apparently had had no
thought of being locked up and there was more weeping on
the part of the women, and muttered curses from the men
when they were taken away.
The murder was the result of a row precipitated through
Pietro Guardino putting up his horse and carriage in
Ziropoli;s stable without having asked permission.
Pietro Guardino had gone over to Manhattan from 367
Hudson street, Brooklyn, where he was a fish dealer, to
visit his brother
Leo, who lived at 117 Elizabeth street. After making
merry at his brother's house for some time, Pietro went
to get his rig. He was met by Michael Ziropoli, son of
Antonio, who demanded why he had put up his horse and
carriage without having first asked permission. Angry
words followed and the men came to blows. A crowd
gathered and the fight became general. At its height,
the police alleged that Mrs. Ziropoli, wife of Antonio,
handed the latter a knife and that the old man plunged
into the crowd and thrust the knife into Pietro
Guardino's neck. The wounded man died on the street
before medical aid could reach him. The fight went on
for several minutes, scores of Italians taking part in
it, and it was a long time before the police were able
to quell the riot. Coroner Brown announced that he will
begin the examination tomorrow at 11 A.M.
|
