On November 27, 1917, Morris Goldstein, a tailor in New Haven, Connecticut, was shot to death in a holdup. Four men were arrested in connection with the crime: Luigi Lanzillo (also referenced as Luigi Longello), his older brother Carmello Lanzillo, Frank Durso, and Carmine Pisenello. Durso, Pinsenello and Carmello Lanzillo were all convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Luigi Lanzillo was convicted of second-degree murder and given a life sentence because a gun that belonged to him was found near the murder scene. Luigi Lanzillo claimed that his brother had taken the revolver without his knowledge. Shortly before their execution on June 17, 1918, Durso, Pinsenello and Carmello Lanzillo signed written confessions stating that Luigi Lanzillo did not have any involvement in the murder of Goldstein. However, it was not until ten years later, after pleas from concerned citizens, including attorneys for two of the three men executed for the crime, that Luigi Lanzillo was pardoned and released by the Board of Pardons at Wethersfield Prison. – Researched by Alex Jarrell
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