Prompt Cast
The Controversial Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti
TLDR The trial of Sacco and Vanzetti, two Italian immigrants accused of murder and robbery, sparked international protests and debates over their guilt or innocence. While some evidence suggests Sacco may have been guilty, others believe they were innocent political prisoners.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
In 1920, a man named Shelly Neal picked up $30,000 in cash from the Braintree train depot every week as part of his job as an agent for the American Express Company.
05:51
In 1920, a man named Shelly Neal was robbed and two men were murdered in a daring daylight robbery in the small town of Braintree, where $220,000 was stolen.
11:18
The cops arrive at the scene of the crime and suspect anarchists, while also discovering a car that had been used in a previous robbery.
16:57
The police suspect that Sacco is involved in the crime and investigate his behavior, including his sudden willingness to be deported and his strange actions at his house and garage.
21:42
Two Italian immigrants, Sacco and Vanzetti, are arrested after being found on a train with guns and giving weak explanations, and are suspected of the murder and robbery.
27:04
The defense committee hires a radical lawyer to lead the defense and works to turn public sentiment against the government and prosecutors by portraying Sacco and Vanzetti as normal guys being railroaded for political reasons and xenophobia, while the evidence against them is weak.
32:11
The prosecution and defense in the trial of Sacco and Vanzetti both presented questionable evidence and witnesses, including self-taught amateurs posing as ballistic experts and friends of the defendants who were coerced into testifying.
37:16
The defense attorney for Sacco and Vanzetti tried to argue for new trials and filed multiple motions, but none of them were successful.
42:15
The defense attorneys filed multiple motions and appeals, including a motion for a new trial based on Judge Thayer's perceived prejudice against anarchists, but all of them were turned down, which led to public sympathy for Sacco and Vanzetti.
47:16
Sacco and Vanzetti were executed, sparking riots and protests around the world, and while many people believe they were innocent political prisoners, some evidence suggests that Sacco may have been guilty.
52:28
The evidence against the planted bullet theory is inconclusive, as both ballistic witnesses gave testimony that was not forceful enough to suggest a conspiracy, and there are accounts from individuals who believe that Sacco was guilty and Vanzetti was innocent.
Categories:
Society & Culture
