The Sacco and Vanzetti Controversial Murder Trial

On April 15, 1920 a gang of men shot down the armed guard and paymaster on a street in South Braintree. A getaway car pulled up and the robbers jumped in and sped away, escaping from the pursuing police. Based on a tip, police arrested Sacco and Vanzetti. Neither had a criminal record (p.10), both were anarchists at a time of great political repression. Chapter Two tells of America at the time of the Great War. There had been a series of bombings by anarchists who opposed all governments. President Wilson passed new laws to repress those who questioned his policies. There was prejudice against new European immigrants. After being arrested Sacco and Vanzetti lied about their political beliefs (they were not told why they were arrested, and believed it was for their political views). They were charge with armed robbery and murder. Chapter Three discusses this and the legal background and rights of an accused person. Judge Webster Thayer may have been biased (p.34). News about this case spread throughout America (p.39). Chapter Four presents the case against Sacco & Vanzetti. There were problems with the state's witnesses (pp.46-48). The cap found near the murder scene was said to be Sacco's, but it didn't fit. There was a problem regarding one bullet that could have come from Sacco's gun. There was no other link to the crime, such as the stolen money. Chapter Five presents the case for their defense. Eyewitnesses at the murder scene said Sacco and Vanzetti were not the killers. A ballistics expert testified the 3rd bullet did not compare to Sacco's gun. Sacco had alibi witnesses for being in Boston (p.71), but this contradicted Sacco's statement when arrested. Vanzetti's alibi witnesses said he was selling fish in Plymouth (p.73). Vanzetti owned a gun for protection because he carried a lot of cash in his business. Sacco owned a gun because he was the night watchman at a shoe factory. Sacco complained that an ordinary worker could not send his children to high school or college. Chapter Six discusses the verdict. The jury quickly decided they were guilty. Around the world people protested because of the unfair verdict. Law professor Felix Frankfurter said the trial was filled with errors. A local newspaper said the verdict was not justified. Eight appeals were filled over six year, none successfully. One prisoner confessed to being part of the robbery gang and gave details about the crime. It made no difference; they were executed. Over the years historians and lawyers have studied this case, some said the judge and the prosecutors violated various legal codes (p.91). In 1977 the governor of Massachusetts apologized for their wrongful execution, but did not overturn their conviction. [In 1979 the governor of Pennsylvania issued a full pardon to Jack Kehoe, judicially murdered in 1879 by a powerful corporation.] Two authors used newly uncovered evidence to conclude that Sacco and Vanzetti were framed for murders they did not commit (p.94). This