Defense Attorney - Client Joseph Morellano

An elderly, poorly dressed, man came to the law office of Martha Ellis Bryant on the night of May 6th,1950. He opened the door without knocking. Martha says "Who's there?" The old man says "Excuse me, yes, I'm looking for Miss Martha Ellis Bryant". She says "I'm Miss Bryant, but the office is closed. I thought that door was locked". The old man says "My friends tell me you are the one I should see".  She says "Yes, well it's very late and I was just leaving. I have a dinner engagement". Old man says "No, please. I take only a minute or two. I've come about Joe". Martha says "Joe?" Old man says "Joseph Morellano. They say he killed a man named Freddy Chelini. You know about this?" Martha says "No, I don't think I do. When did this happen?" He says "December 10th, 1939". Martha says "1939? Well, that was almost 12 years ago". Old man says "Yes, it happened in a restaurant run by Bella Grope. It is down on State Street. You remember now?" Martha says "No, I'm afraid I don't". Old man says "In the back, over there, at the restaurant, there was a gambling room. But the police were after Bella, so on the night Freddy Chelini was murdered, the back room, it was a closed up tight". The old man tells Martha the story of how Freddy was killed, then he says "Yes, Miss  Bryant, nobody really knows why he was killed and nobody much care, you see he was not a good man. But then one day police come for Joe Morellano. They say he killed Freddy. Joe is not at home, only his wife and two bambinos. The police look for Joe, but don't find him. Then Joe hears the police look for him, so he goes to the police station to say he did not do it". Martha asks "And then what happened?" Old man says "Joe is sent to prison for the rest of his life. He's been there 12 years now. But, he not do it. I tell you he said he not do it". Martha asks "Do you have proof?" He says "I am Tony Morellano. Joe is my son. My son not kill Freddy Chelini. My boy is not a murderer, I know". Martha says "Oh, I see, that's your proof?" Tony says "Wait, you not believe me?" Martha says "Mr. Morellano, I'm very sorry, but if he was convicted and sentenced to life, there must have been good reason".