SACCO AND VANZETTI
On April 15, 1920, paymaster, Frederick Parmenter, and security guard, Alessandro
Berardelli were gunned down while carrying $15,777 in payroll cash from a local
business in South Braintree, Massachusetts. Witnesses stated that the gunmen were armed
with pistols and looked like Italians. A month later, police arrested Bartolomeo
Vanzetti and Nocola Sacco, zealous anarchists, and charged them with the murders.
The evidence against Vanzetti and Sacco was strong. Sacco was found in possession of a
loaded .32 caliber pistol and Vanzetti was in possession of a loaded shotgun, four
shotgun shells, and a .38 caliber pistol. The bullets in Sacco's gun were obsolete and
difficult to find. The bullets used to kill Berardelli were the same type unique
bullets. Additionally, a cap was found next to Berardelli's body that closely resembled
one regularly worn by Sacco. The evidenc3e found on Vanzetti was equally compelling.
Vanzetti was found in possession of a nickel-plated pistol identical to the one carried
by Berardelli but not recovered at the scene of the crime. The physical evidence
coupled with lies and unsupported alibi's doomed the accused. They were found guilty
and sentenced to death.
The trial was significant because it came on the heels of the communist revolution.
Sacco and Vanzetti were anarchists whom the world perceived as unfairly judged on the
basis of their radical beliefs. International protest arose in support of the two.
Union groups in the U.S. raised thousands of dollars to pay for their defense. Despite
this support, their appeals were denied and they were put to death.
The trial and the guilt of Sacco and Vanzetti remains clouded by speculation and
doubt.
BACK