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Post by lightningjew on May 16, 2020 22:23:10 GMT -5
What are your thoughts on the Cerittos' involvement? I have been interested in Peter Birritella and Mary Cerrito for a long time. There is no doubt in my mind that these two individuals were utilized, however briefly, by the kidnappers/extortionists. The third ransom note that was mailed to Col. Breckinridge's office on March 7 is a direct result of the Princeton meeting that occurred on March 6th. What transpired in Princeton on March 6 had to have been related back to the perps in order for that ransom note to be written. So there was some form of contact that took place so this transfer of information could bring about that March 7 note. I have and still am reviewing the many investigative reports that were done on Peter and Mary. What I have noticed so far is that Peter seems to have been investigated more heavily than Mary. Peter had a brother who was a taxi driver and this was focused on heavily. It was thought that he might have been the unidentified taxi driver who gave Condon the direction note to Bergens Greenhouse on the night of April 2. There was a background check run on Mary Cerrito also. All her family members and past marriages are mentioned in this report. I was disappointed in that report. A principal/student connection to Dr.Condon was looked for among the family names mentioned in her report and since one was not found that is where the checking basically ended. I don't agree with the way they concluded the investigation of Mary's background. Italian involvement with this crime seems evident since two Italian people (Peter and Mary) were the first ones sent by the kidnappers/extortionists to make contact with Lindbergh. Condon definitely believed Italians were involved having heard one in the background of the first telephone call he had from the kidnappers. Condon also claimed that the look out at Woodlawn Cemetery was an Italian. He also said that the lady who talked to him at the bazaar where he was selling violins and asked Condon to meet her at the Tuckahoe Train station was an Italian lady. So I think Mary Cerrito's background is just as important as Peter Birritella's. I am currently working on a theory that involves a past family member of Mary Cerrito and this connection could be what led to Peter and Mary being used in the limited way they were. This is still in development so I can't really post much on it at this time. This sounds interesting, Amy. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. When you mentioned a relative of Mary Cerrito’s, I’m reminded of that interview Condon gave to a reporter, Sullivan, where Condon said something about how his involvement in the case began when a decent woman, from “a very bad family” that was mixed up in the kidnapping, came to him for help.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2020 8:23:13 GMT -5
To bring this thread back around to Anna and what she might have been told by her husband, I wanted to share a piece of information I read about Anna during one of my earliest visits to the archives. Anna loved Richard, no doubt about that. When I read in a report the excerpt I am going to post here, I was very surprised that Anna would do something like smuggling. Here we see Anna's complete trust in what Richard says about what was in the envelope she brought with her to Germany to give to Pauline Hauptmann. This money had a purpose I am sure. I have always thought this money was to be used to obtain a lawyer who would look into BRH's criminal record to see what could be done so he would be able to return to Germany at some point in the future. Pauline Hauptmann had always said that she basically received only small amounts from Richard, usually around holidays, etc. This appears to be an example of Anna's complete trust in Richard and her willingness to do what her husband asked her to do, especially if it might have been to help him. Anna clearly understood the need to keep the money hidden in her handbag and not declare it when she arrived in Germany. imgur.com/81WYTjo
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metje
Detective
Posts: 174
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Post by metje on May 17, 2020 9:09:40 GMT -5
In "Their Fifteen Minutes" Mark Falzini writes that Hans Kloppenburg had a problem with some missing postcards during his and the Hauptmanns' trip to California in 1931. He had a serious falling out with Anna because of situation; she would not speak to him at all during the trip back. He did think apparently that Anna (or Richard perhaps) had taken his postcards, he was not reconciled with the Hauptmanns for a few months following their return to the Bronx.
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