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Your support is important and We thank you for continuing
to support this worthy cause! |
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PA STATE POLICE
K-9 "OMAR" ORNAMENT |
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The Limited Edition 2008 Pewter “PSP K-9
Corp featuring Omar” Ornament is the 7th in the pewter ornament series. This
ornament, like the others, is exquisitely designed by Sparta Pewter of Canada. Each
ornament includes a numbered certificate of authenticity, hangs from a royal blue ribbon
and is encased in a black clear-top box. The ornaments in our series make excellent gifts
for everyone on your list, as well as your own tree or mantle. |
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Get Omar details here! |
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| PENNSYLVANIA
STATE POLICE HISTORICAL, EDUCATIONAL & MEMORIAL CENTER |
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| Through this web
site, and in particular, this newsletter, we will keep you informed about the Pennsylvania
State Police Historical, Educational and Memorial Center plus other PSP news events. |
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Part 3... |
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This month we continue our report into the murder of
Private John Broski. Early in the morning of August 24, 1937, Victor Andreoli was captured
at his residence in Philadelphia, along with his accomplice Horace Bowers, who was also in
the house. Later in the morning both men were taken to the Philadelphia Police
Headquarters. The two Ben Mawr Garage employees identified the suspects as the ones who
robbed and, kidnapped them earlier in the month.
Later in the afternoon the two killers, under a heavy guard, were driven to Troop B
Headquarters, Wyoming, where questioning continued. Both confessed again, and Bowers spoke
out saying “I did it. All I ask is that they allow me to die in the electric chair as
quickly as possible.” By now both killers had confessed at least three times.
On August 25, 1937, Bowers and Andreoli were arraigned. In an unusual move, so early in an
investigation, both men plead guilty to murder. By now Bowers had time to reflect on his
earlier statements, and now, claimed he didn’t deliberately fire the shotgun into
John Broski’s back, instead it went off accidentally.
Captain William Clark, C.O. Troop B, said that the arrests were made just over a week
after the murder, and the investigation was “…one of the most complete and
thorough investigations in Wyoming barracks history.”
Between the arrest and trial Bowers cooperated with authorities helping to locate evidence
and, of particular importance, pinpointing the location of the shotgun he discarded in
Lake Wallenpaupack. It was learned that Bowers had a work history in Wilkes Barre and was
familiar with the area. During this time both killers were housed in the Luzerne County
Prison.
Not long after the arraignment the accused were appointed lawyers. Shortly after this
development both men changed their pleas to not guilty.
On September 27, 1937, at 10:00 AM, a little over a month and half after the murder,
Bowers was brought to trial charged with first degree murder, and the District Attorney
was seeking the death penalty. Bowers was active in his own defense, disagreeing at least
once on the selection of a juror. The testimony phase of the trial lasted two days. Mrs.
Broski was in courtroom throughout the trial. In an unusual move, during closing
statements by his lawyers, Bowers asked to change his plea to guilty. He also requested to
state his case to the jury, and the Judge allowed this. During his testimony Bowers again
claimed the shooting was an accident, saying to the jury, “I want you to believe that
I did not intend to shoot Mr. Broski. I ask you be merciful in your verdict.”
Andreoli, seated in the courtroom, under guard, heard Bowers change his plea. He became
angry and loud, and was heard to say, “Bowers is a fool … I’ll go the chair
now, too.”
Leon Schwartz, prosecuting attorney for the Commonwealth, made his closing remarks to the
jury. He termed Bowers and Andreoli as “incredible bandits.” He spoke of the two
defendants getting together and “fashioning an instrument of death, a sawed off
shotgun. When they walked out that night, death walked with them.” Schwartz said that
if he, (Bowers), “wants mercy let him go to Mrs. Broski. Maybe she’ll give him
mercy.” Mrs. Broski, seated in the rear of the courtroom could be heard crying.
Read: Part 1, Part 2
Visit John J. Broske
Memorial |
| (Courtesy of Tpr. Jack Haase,
PSP ret. "Retirees' Scoops") |
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CURRENT EXHIBITS
(Mini-Museum) View Tour Promo |
We currently have PSP historical exhibits at
HEMC. Tours of the "Mini-Museum" are free and scheduled by calling PSP-HEMC. The
Mini-Museum provides only a small glimpse of what the future museum will be like when
completed. Contributions are still needed to help build the actual center.
exhibit page. |
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| Learn about President Theodore
Roosevelt's visit to the Wyoming Barracks in 1910. |
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Tours
If you are interested in touring the Mini-museum please contact us.
For details... Click here! |
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| We would like for you to
have an enjoyable and pleasant experience when visiting us... just like we will offer to
the visitors of the center when it's complete. |
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View Top column |
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Column 2
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Architectural Rendering of PSP-HEMC |
---------------------------------------------------
Active, Retired, Family and Friends can help
with the ongoing efforts to establish the Pennsylvania State Police Museum.
In the 2004 Capital Budget monies were set aside for the development of this
museum. Members are requesting you take a moment and sign the on-line petition for
the release of these funds.
Through everyones help this project can move forward.
Major Matthew Hunt, PSP retired
Sign the Petition
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Private John Broski....
cont'd from column 2
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After the judge
instructed the jury they were sent to deliberate. During this era, the names of each
juror, their addresses, and occupation was listed in the newspapers. This jury was
comprised of laboring class men, with the exception of Mrs. Lucy Graham, the wife of a
funeral director. She was the juror Bowers had disagreed with his attorney about. Bowers
wanted her selected, his attorney thought this was a bad choice, because, being a woman
she would convict. Bowers agreed she would convict, but calculated she would not vote for
the death penalty. In Luzerne County, she was the first woman juror to serve during a
capital case. The jury deliberated over fifty hours, longer than the testimony phase of
the trial. The jury returned a guilty verdict, murder in the first degree, but denied a
death sentence, instead committing Bowers to life in prison. While waiting on the verdict
he remarked to guards he expected the death penalty. With the fate of Bowers being
decided, Andreoli changed his plea to guilty. His hearing lasted one hour and he was
sentenced to life in prison. Not long afterwards both killers were sent to the Eastern
Penitentiary, in Philadelphia. Both became problem convicts. Our next issue will recall
the response to the juries findings; the fate of Bowers and Andreoli ; and the some final
circumstances surrounding this investigation.
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| Please do not send
or submit items for the State Police Center to individuals who claim to be from the
H.E.M.C. You can call the office at 1-717-534-0565 to check on who is authorized to
accept items on behalf of the museum portion of the Center. |
PSP-HEMC
HOURS |
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The Pa State Police H.E.M.C. Operations offices are in Hershey, Pa at 187
East Hershey Park Drive. Office hours may vary at times but generally, you can reach
us Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 5:30pm.
May 17th thru Sept. 13th, Museum is open on Saturday's
from 9:00am-3:00pm
If
you are traveling from a distance, call ahead! (We are closed Saturdays, Sundays and
for state holidays, and occasionally we are closed if out of town doing a
show). You can reach us or leave a message at phone 717-534-0565, or e-mail, psphemc@gmail.com
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