Frank D'allessandro

The Verdict of History, Sacco and Vanzetti Frank D'allessandro

'The past is neverdead.¿ It is not even passed.'¿ Almost 75 years have gone by since the act ofcrime for which Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti wereindicted, tried, convicted and executed on August 23, 1927. There have been excellent legaltreatises and interesting, informative novels written on this subject.¿ Perhaps, it is time for a non-legal and plaintalk evaluation of the facts. There are events whose importanceseems to transcend time and affects present and future generations.¿ The effect of Saccoand Vanzetti is still with us and is one of thoseevents that will remain.¿ The ultimatejudgment is the verdict of the people and rests with history. The Case of Saccoand Vanzetti extended publicly from May 5, 1920 to August 23, 1927, and be- yond.¿ The questions that history is still seekingto answer are:-Were these men properlyindicted for the crime of murder and robbery?-Would a review of theavailable facts, by reasonable persons, bring a different verdict withcertainty?-Was there evidence of amistrial?-Does a review of the facts,uncovered since the Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti, from May 31st through July 14, 1921, bring a differentverdict?¿ Were these men treated fairlyby the system and by society?¿ Are theirfamilies and all Americans owed some sort of debt from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, andfrom the American System of Justice?¿ Wasthere a silent and unspoken conspiracy?¿Has the time come for a re-evaluation of this matter; and adjudication,based on all the evidence now available.¿Will this be meaningful?No one can alter what has been.