New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-14
THE ITALTAN BRIGAND.
HIS IDENTITY NOT YET ESTARI ,ISHED

HIS IDENTITY NOT YET ESTABLISHED
AN ADJOURNMENT GRANTED TO ALLOW WITNESSES
WHO KNOW GIUSEPPE EsPOsITO TO RE ACH THIS
CITY-CRUELe TREATMENT ALLEGED ON SHIP
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES WITH THE ITALIAN
GOVERNMENT.
1t seldom happens that at this season of the year
there IS such stir in the United States Courts
there yesterday at the first hearing in the case
of the heavilybull and darll-complexioned Italian
who was arrested in NcwOreans last week on slis-
pcion of being Giuseppe Esposito who it is claimed
by the representatives of the Italian Government in
tins country is of the principal bandits of Sicily
whose Gader was The notorious Leone. The prisoner,
who calls himself Vincenzo Ribello does not appear
10 be desperate man. He sat through the proceed
ngs mpossyely. He was represented by his counsel,
Dr. Lorenzo Ullo
Owing TO the interest shown in the examination
Commissioner Osborn held the investigation in the
rau , Aavler RULER, of the firm of Coudert
fbrolhers, representing the Italian Government Of
iercd IN evidence two parcels OF depositi"ns taken
Rome y '''''''''''" N0''S"i ''
DIR. Ullo said that the duty of the Italian authori-
ties was first 70 show The identity of the prisoner.
He would admit that the atidavits produced would
show the crminality of Giuseppe opposite, but he
denied that the prisoner that man. The
prisoner was entitled to be confronted with proof
OF his identity and not with an exhibition Of papers
which might prove that opposite great
Mr.. Fuller asked to be allowed to cross-examne
the prisoner to ascertain who he is He admitted
that the dispositions gave no clew to the idcn-
tity of the Prsoner The request for the cross-ex-
adjournment for two weeks in order to produce
witnesses who could identify the prisoner In do
ing So he read the following telegram. which was
%: ''' wa "'"'
Ascertain II the photograph ia that of the individual
ton Send two gems d'arncs who can identify him.
Mr. Fuller explained that the photograph referred
IN New-Orlcans and sent to Italy some time before
The answer received to the telegram was as follows
ROME. July 6.
ny I'VE persona. forward documents. Two gems
darmes " 10 acquainted with the individual ready
To start after we have Geographic notice. PEDKoLLKI
Nh Fuller further stated that the fact of the arrest
iad been telegraphed to italy and that he had been
informed by the italian authorities in this city that
the gems Il arlhes were now on their way to this
country.
Dr. clio, in opposing an adjournment. argued that
the Italian authorities had no right to demand an
cNamlnaio ION OF the prisoner. He also pointed out
that in the warrants issued in Palermo tie PAGES in
which the description of the prisoner should be en-
tered were left blank and that only his name and
age were given. The warrants even differed as To
Che other at forty six 1t was evident. dr. mo con-
tended, that lie foreign nv hortics had very little
communication with the New Orleans Federal au-
thoTitles with view of having The removed
to mat city. He added that he had Il witness who
could prove that his client had been IN New Orleans
tor three years and that of the crimes he was
charged Win was committed IN 1870, he could not
possibly be the criminal As this witness not
hkcly to remain IN the city, DR.. UlO suggested that
he should be called at once
JOhn Watson, second steward of the steamship
Guy OF NcW-orleans on. which the prisoner
brought II this city, then sworn. He said that
he knew the Prisoner very well, ana that at times in
The last three years he had purchased fruit from him
In New-orlrans He was hat they called dagop
IA term app led to men who sold fruit 10 stewards
OF vessels lie had purchased from hm fruit valued
at from $40 TO $40 AT different times tor the pur-
pose OF selling II To passengers on vessels which
ne was employed. On the passage TO this city
the prisoner was kept like some wild animal. lie
had heavy shacklcs on his feet and hr was chained
TO h0ok IN the Hoof Of the cabin. When he was
not shacklcd he was handoUtcd. On cross-examir.a-
ton the witness said that lac knew the officials
were trying To -et the prisoner to NcWYo the ay
before lac came on board, and that lie heard that ii
hc resisted he was TO he bound aud gagged
Elu YOU take Il razor and file to the prisoner, In
order I" afford him an opportunity to escape = asked
Mr.. Fuller.
"No, sir. | said to the steward that found the
razor and file III his cabin after he mad left tho
ship
Tho witness admitted that he had told some per-
son thal he lah known the prisoner for ten years,
Dul on lhlnhlng the matter over he had the
conclusion that he had known him only three wears.
Nj. Fuller then called Henry GERM steward OF
the city OF New-Orlcans who said tha, Watson
told ann yesterday, before l,aVl', tnc ship, that he
diU Hol believe that tine pTi>Onc. the man the
aNthoFlhcs wanted. Al the SAM ti'lc lie produced
razor and file, which h. said hc mad furnished 10
the prisoner in order that he might attcmnt to cs-
ION that h. was not guilty man. The witness de-
med That the prisoner had been treated Improperly
on shpboard.
Mr.. Fuller suggested that Watson should be de-
tanned hy the Court pending charge of perjury
but no action was taken
The hearing waa adjourned until Monday when
lurtncr adjournment VIII bc granted II the Italian
au'hortle' can tlcn show that witnesses are on
thc:r way 10 tS country. The prisoner WAS RECON-
mittcd To the Ludlow Street Jail.