&t time for lst execution, hangman pulled wrong Tever and
- Birbiglia-squirmed—in-noose~-bygt-drop-did-not—fall.—Then—
other lever pulled and Birbiglia, with knot of rope on
chin, fell through, Momentarily stunned, he soon regained
consciousness and began: making responses tS priest who
stood beside him reciding offices for dead, Conversation
continued fot 15 minutes and youth renewed former appeals
for mercy, becoming frantic, and, in opinion of Coronor
Joseph OtHara, shifted weight of body in such a manner
that strangulation resulted. -Body not cut down until 39
minutes after trap sprunge Zalenka's neck broken, 10
reserve policementkept order about prison," BIRMINGHAM
AGE HERALD, 6-17~1921
TE Say SATE
> bime’ for Ist execution, hangman pulled wrong lever and
irmed—in-noose-byt-
Benes lever pulled and Birbiglia, with knot of rope on
chin, fell through, Momentarily stunned, he soon regained
consciousness and began-making responses to priest who
stood beside him reciding offices for deade Conversation
continued fot 15 minutes and youth renewed former app eals
for mercy, becoming frantic, and, in opinion of Coronor
Joseph O'Hara, shifted weight of body in such a manner
that strangulation resulted. -Body not cut down until 39
minutes after trap sprunge Zalenka's neck broken, 10
reserve policementkept order about prison," BIRMINGHAM
AGE HERALD, 6-17-1921
IS Sauthorn? JIB
RE binie’ for 1st execution, Hse oe wrong lever and
| Birbiglia-sq
other lever pulled aa Birbiglia, with knot of rope on
chin, fell through, Momentarily stunned, he soon regained|
eonsciousness and began-making responses to pric:
stood beside him reciding offices for dead, Conversation
continued fot 15 minutes and youth renewed former app cals
for mercy, becoming franbic, and, in opinion of Coronor
Joseph O'Hara, shifted weight of body in such a manner
that strangulation resulted, Body not cut down until 39
minutes after trap sprung. Zalenka's neck broken, 0
xegerve policenentkept order about prison." BIEMIGHAM
AGE HERALD, 6-27=1:
GDVII
Sore Sener sa eet
BIRBIGLIA and ZALENKA ; he |
Hanged at New Orleans, Lae,
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See "Notes minal History of New Orleans," by
Kendall, p 16h. Filed in Louisiana white binder,
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BIRBIGLIA and ZALENKA rae
Hanged at New Orleans, La.,
See "Notes on the Criminal History of New Orleans," by
Kendall, p 16, Filed in Louisiana white binder.
History of New Orle
white binde
BIRBIGLIA and ZALENKA * LA. Contd :
New Orleans, 6-25-1920-Birbiglia, 31, dishonor ably dischar-
ged from U. S. Navy and Zalenka, 19, friend and accomplice,
were found guilty of April 21 murder of Mrs, Bertha Neason,
Confessions introduced as evidence by state, two young men
induced Mrs, Neason, whose husband was on duty on naval
transport, to accompany them to lonely spot on Turtle Back
road near Orleans canal, where they shot her and after
stripping valuable diamond ornaments from her, threw body
inwater, A 1l?-year-old chauffeur, son of police corporal,
terrified and threatened with death according to his testi-
mony, drove them back to city where diamonds were hidden,
Chau€feur then drove to his father's house where he told th
story and the pair was arrested. Confessions followed and
Birbiglia guided police to place where diamonds were hidden
and they were recovered, During trial each blamed the othe}
soleyy for crime and declared they were intoxicated and not
BIRBIGLIA and ZALENKA * -Contd.
New Orleans, 6- sear Metecisert Ble asnoneees ty dischar-
ged from U. S. Navy and Zalenka, 19, friend and accomplice,
were found guilty of April 21 murder of Mrs, Bertha Neason,
Confessions introduced as evidence by state, two young men
induced Mrs. Neason, whose husband was on duty on naval
transport, to accompany them to lonely spot on Turtle Back
road near Orleans canal, where they shot her and after
stripping valuable diamond ornaments from her, threw body
inwater. A 17-year-old chauffeur, son of police corporal,
terrified and threatened with death according to his testi-
mony, drove them back to city where diamonds were hidden,
Chau€feur then drove to his father's house where he told thg
story and the pair was arrestede Confessions followed and
Birbiglia guided police to place where diamonds were hidden
and they were recovered, During trial each blamed the othe
soleyy for crime and declared they were intoxicated and not
BIRBIGLIA and ZALENKA * LA,-Contd,
New Orleans, gn28-1920-Birblglia, bi, dishowaewviy cate
zed from U, S. Navy and Zalenka, 19, friend and accomplice,
were found guilty of april 21 murder of Mrs, Bertha Neason,
Confessions introduced as evidence by state, two young men
induced Mrs. Neason, whose husband was on duty on naval
‘transport, to accompany them to lonely spot on Turtle Back
road near Orleans canal, where they shot her and after
stripping valuable diamond ornaments from her, threw body
inwater, A 17-year-old chauffeur, son of police corporal,
darritied and’ threcvanbd vith deata cccarding|tofnig taccie
mony, drove them back to city where diamonds were hidden,
Chauffeur then drove to his father's house where he told the
story and the pair was arrested, Confessions followed and
Birbiglia guided police to place
and they were recovered, ing ‘ial bl:
soleyy for crime and declared they were intoxicated and not
ic eevee se aera se
uae be ares sis
responsiblee" AGE HERALD, June 26, 1920.
responsible." AGE HERALD, June 26, 1920.
responsible," 4 . June 26, 1920.
Lastest ics NEE
Pax Var
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fete ate Je
1
BIRBIGLIA, Felix J. and ZALENKA, Charles J, a eer
White, hanged New Orleans, Lae, 6-17-1921."New Vr] eans,
6-1);-Birbiglia and Zalenka, young white men, convicted of
murder of Mrs, Bertha Neason, will hang Friday, the Board
of Pardons today denying clemency. Joi g in plea before
board was Zalenka's girl’wife, a congenial cripple whom he
married after conviction, Anouncement of board states that
in view of open admission of pair that they committed crim
without extenuating circumstances, no reason is seen to
set aside decision of court. The two men went driving wit
Mrs. Neason on a lonely road near the city and slew her
for money and jewels." Btham AGE HERALD, 6-15-1921, "dune
16-Spent last night with relatives who returned from Baton
Rouge after futile appeal to Gov, Parker. Journey to cap-
itol useless as Lae law gives Governor no pard&ning power"
AGE HERALD 6=17+-1921. "June 17-Birbiglia stzangled to
death after hanging conscious for more than 20 minutese
BIRBIGLIA, Felix J. and ZALENKA, Charles J. Re a
White, hanged New Orleans, lag, 6-17-1921e"New “rleans,
6-l)-Birbiglia and Zalenka, young white men, convicted of
murder of Mrs. Bertha Neason, will hang Friday, the Board
of Pardons today denying clemency. Joining in plea before
board was Zalenka's girl’wife, a congenial cripple whom he
married after conviction, Anouncement of board states thai
in view of open admission of pair that they committed crim
without extenuating circumstances, no reason is seen to
set aside decision of court. The two men went driving wit}
Mrs. Neason on a lonely road near the city and slew her
for money and jewels." Btham AGE HERALD, 6-15-1921, "dune
16-Spent last night with relatives who returned from Baton
Rouge after futile appeal to Gov. Parker. Journey to cap-
itol useless as Lae law gives Governor no pardéning power"
AGE HERALD 6-17-1921. "June 17-Birbiglia stzangled to
death after hanging conscious for more than 20 minutese
BIRBIGLIA, Felix J, and ZALENKA, Charles Je Oi
Vhite, hanged New Orleans, La,, 6-17-1921."New Orleans,
6-1h-Birbiglia and alenka, young white men, convicted of
murder of Mrs. Bertha Neason, will hang Friday, the Board
of Pardons today denying clemency. Joining in plea before
board was Zalenka's girl’wife, a congenial cripple whon he
married after conviction, Anouncenent of board states that
in view of open admission of pair that they conmitted crim
without extenuating circumstances, no reason is seen to
set aside decision of court, The two men went driving wit
Mrs. Neason on a lonely road near the city and slew her
for money and jewels," BYham AGE HERALD, 6-15-1921, "dune
16-Spent last night with relatives who returned fpom Baton
Rouge after futile ee to Gove Parker.X Journey to cap
. law gives Governor raining power"
SGP HERALD 6-17-1951. "dune 1?-Birbiglia stzangled to
death after hanging conscious for more than 20 minutese
