Sacco and Vanzetti Saga How did the Red Scare impact / influence the Sacco and Vanzetti trial? What lessons can be learned?
Sacco and Vanzetti “the men” Who were Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti? Both immigrated from Italy in 1908 Worked together for anarchist cause, Reds, draft-dodgers, union supporters, limited English speaking Previously never arrested or charged with a crime
Sacco and Vanzetti “the men” Vanzetti-mustache 32 years old, Northern part of Italy, fish peddler Sacco- clean shaven 29 years old, Southern part of Italy, worked at shoe factory
Crimes were committed 1919-20 Bridgewater Assault Dec. 24, 7-7:30 am 2 men, shotgun & revolver Attacked payroll truck, $30,000 White Shoe Company Truck swerved, hit a pole, nothing stolen Bandits escaped in another car, possibly two other people, 4 total
Crimes were committed 1919 Bridgewater Assault, cont. Things to know Michael Stewart- Police Chief Things to know Car- Buick or Hudson Overland People “dark & foreign” Focused on Mike Boda and Ferrucio Coacci Possible 4 individuals Guns used
Crimes were committed 1919-20 South Braintree April 15, 1920, 3pm Parmenter (paymaster) and Beradelli (guard) Taking $16,000- 200 yards Passed two men then both were shot Buick pulled with 2 in car, 2 jumped in and a 3rd was hiding behind bricks 5 men total
Prime Suspects Chief Stewart Boda- had a Buick or Overland Coacci- failed to report to deportation hearing, went back to Italy Overland needed repairs
Johnson’s Garage May 5th Boda and Riccardo Orciani arrived at the garage Sacco and Vanzetti also showed up on foot Mr. Johnson stalled them while Mrs. Johnson called police All left, Sacco and Vanzetti went on a trolley car Police boarded trolley Vanzetti carrying a loaded .38 and shotgun shells Sacco carrying .32 Colt
What lead to the arrests? Guns People were “dark and foreign” Italians Sacco and Vanzetti lied to the police Sacco worked on Dec. 24 but not on Apr. 15th Vanzetti peddling fish Coacci- deported to Italy Boda- sailed to Italy never to return
Who was charged with what crimes? Frederick Katzmann-DA Sacco- charged with South Braintree Vanzetti- charged with both crimes
Bridgewater Trial 1920 Vanzetti June 22, 1920 Judge Webster Thayer DA- Katzmann Defense Attorney J.P. Vahey Problems with the Trial
South Braintree Trial 1921 Vanzetti (McAnarney) & Sacco (Moore) Katzmann and Judge Thayer Prosecution’s Case Eyewitnesses Bullets Consciousness of Guilt Verdict- Death
Problems with the arrest, questioning and trial
Appeals 6 years and 8 appeals National Attention Final Appeal 1927 Ordered by Gov. Fuller A. Lawrence Lowell Final execution Aug. 22, 1927
Editorial cartoon from The Daily Worker, 1927
Final Words of Sacco and Vanzetti Were they really guilty? Vanzetti- probably not Sacco- probably
How did the Red Scare impact / influence the Sacco and Vanzetti trial? What lessons can be learned?