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The case of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti was not about the justice
system blaming them for murdering two people, but rather how the justice system
murdered two people and got away with it. Throughout the trial the public
withdrew from their anti-radical thinking to more of a sympathetic understanding
of another human being, no matter their beliefs. World-wide interest was quickly
turned to the ill-fated Sacco and Vanzetti. While the judge and prosecution had
already delivered the verdict in their minds, Sacco and Vanzetti proclaimed and
defended their innocence even till the very end. Before the crime ever took
place Sacco worked at the Milford Shoe Factory as an edge trimmer. Sacco was a
hard worker; who supported his wife, Rosa, and his son, Dante. Vanzetti worked
as a fish peddler. In May 1917, both left their jos to go to Mexico and avoid
the draft. Both Sacco and Vanzetti had the same views which were considered
radical at the time; therefore they did not advertise them. Understandably, they
feared for their safety as well as their friends and families who shared the
same ideals (Feuerlicht 11). Although some had suspected that they were of
radical ideology, it was not publicaly announced. Having avoided the draft,
Sacco and Vanzetti returned from Mexico.
Upon their return, organizations and
federal agents started to investigate. On April 15, 1920 there was a payroll
robbery of the Slater & Morrill Shoe Company. Two men were killed and $15,773.
59 missing. These crimes happened in South Braintree Massachusetts and became
known as the Braintree Crimes. There were two people that attacked and killed
the payroll employees, then grabbed the money and took off in the escape car.
The escape car was described as a black Buick with other partners inside.
Eyewitnesses claimed that two of the criminals “looked Italian” (Altman 70).
Crimes like this had been common at the time and had only sparked local interest
(D’Attilio). It was not until Sacco and Vanzetti were in the courtroom facing
charges of murder and robbery, that the Braintree Crimes would become a
publicized affair. Sacco and Vanzetti were arrested on May 5, 1920 for the
murders and robberies that took place three weeks earlier. They both were
anarchistic, atheist, draft dodgers, immigrants, and neither could speak English
well (Fabulous 26). This undoubtedly made them an easy target. When questioned
they both lied creating a “consciousness of guilt” in the eyes of the
prosecutors and judge (D’Attilio). Another aspect that did not help Sacco and
Vanzetti were their alibis. Although both had an alibi, their witnesses often
could not remember much about the day in question other than they defiantly saw
the defendants. Sacco’s alibi rested on his repeated attempt to get passports to
Italy to see his family. Vanzetti was allegedly selling fish and visiting some
friends (Montgomery 142-155, 131-141). Percy Katzmann, the prosecutor, had given
both a difficult time with the questioning. He used their lack of English skills
against them and often twisted their words around. Although Moore, the
defendant’s lawyer would object to this, Judge Thayer would allow it to continue
and often encourage it. Judge Thayer was unprofessional by making rude comments
during and out of court. He would refer to Sacco and Vanzetti as “Dagoes” never
referring to them as Italians (Feuerlight 202). He would also talk about the
case outside of court and brag to others saying “Did you see what I did with
those anarchistic bastards the other day? I guess that will hold them for a
while.” (Feuerlight 306). Not only was his behavior questionable, but the fact
that he was the judge of the case was questionable, since he had just sentenced
Vanzetti for another case a few weeks prior. Fortunately for Sacco and Vanzetti,
their lawyer was dedicated and fought for their freedom. Moore raised awareness
to the trial worldwide. Supporters protested for Sacco and Vanzetti’s freedom.
After six weeks of trial Sacco and Vanzetti were found guilty of murder and
robbery. Though they were found guilty, their lawyer still fought for appeals
and continued to spend money on propaganda. Since the anarchist movement had
been paying for the trial and all the spending that Moore was doing, they fired
him. Moore was replaced in 1924 by William Thompson (D’Attillio). Thompson made
appeal after appeal, and more and more evidence proving Sacco and Vanzetti’s
innocence surfaced as he fought for an appeal.
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