The New York herald., 1879-07-05
THE CAMORRA AT NAPLES.

MURDER OF RENEGADE MEMBER OF THE So
cIErY-rHE ASSASSIN RESCUED BY THE
cRowD-THE BODY OF THE AssAssINArED IN
SUITED. W Ir
Correspondence of the London Times
ROME June IS. 1879.
criminal case Of more than ordinary interest Is
now being tried at Naples. 1t is that Of six men,
bers of the Camorra-Raffaele Esposito ana hve
accomplices. rather msndstories-for the murder.
the 10th OF August, 1877. of q certain vincenzo
Borrelh. The victim old member and
dienitary of the association who had turned spy
and informer. His proceedings had become asource
or so much inconvenience to his old companions.
among whom he still lived in the Atrio del
Cavalo. that they finally determined to put him
out of the way. The men now being tried accord
ngly agreed to sup together at wine shop and de-
eide how the deed to be done and " no should
do It, They drew lots and the task fell to Raffaele
Esposito, nicknamed I'll Passeriello" (tbe little
SPARROW. According to report Borrelli's mis-
tress owed him q few sous. He had asked her for
payment; she refused and he struck her. whereupon
she threatened him with Borreis vengeance. At
this he took fright gave her money and other pres
ents. but IN vain. and then the Camorristi. glad
Of the opportunity Of finding ready In
strument for getting rid of the object of
their hatred and fear. worked upon Espos-
ito to kill him aud gave him the means.
Whichever may be the exact version the leading
features the same. Borrellis death Is decreed.
Esposito lay in wait for his victim and fired at him
from behind but the shot not proving at once fatal
Borreli had time to recognize his assailan to call
him by name and to cry out for pursuit. Some SOL
diers who started after him and caught
him, but crowd quickly dashed to the rescue.
and the soldiers in danger of being torn to pieces
had relinquish their prisoner. The next day all
the haunts Of the Camorra were in state of intense
excitement. Collectors went about gathering con-
tributions to insure Espositos escape, and in
the evening tumultuous crowd OF women
went off to the dead house of the COM
etery. where the murdered mans body had
been taken and getting possession Of 1t. subjected
1T to indescribab]e indgnities. A. few days later
Esposito, finding there was chance of eluding the
count has it, OF priest to whom he had gone to
confess determined to give himself up. On the day
he was committed to prison an immense multitude.
in obedience to the Camorra, thronged the streets
through which the police had to lead him,
and he passed they threw him money and
cigars and showered flowers upon him. He
went to gxol il he was hero and
martyr rather than a criminal This demonstration
aroused the authorities to the folly Of the indier
IL not the indulgence with which they had
treated the Camorra. The police were set to work
with unusual activity, the accomplices of Esposito
secured and 1t Is stated that the process
of instruction, which has taken two years to COM
plete, has led to the arrest and indictment of
many seventy-eight members OF the association.
The question remains-What will they do with them
and will the Neapolitan jury find extenuating cir
cumstances in favor of the men now on trial?