National Republican., 1885-12-11
THE NAnpEIIo CASE CLOSING.
All the Evidence In and the Argu-
ments Commenced.

mentS commenced.
The cross.examnntion of Detective s. ].
Block in the case of Antonio Nardello, on trial
in the criminal court, charged with the murder
of Carmno Rotunuo, on the confession pur.
ported to have been made at tho station house,
was entered upon yesterday, but brought out
nothing new.
Detective Raff testified to an interview with
the prisoner at the station house. IIo heard
Nardello crying, and went to his cell. Mar
dello snid, "rwo Pasquale, me holde ono leg,
Gessimonte hold the other, and Abbedanto do
like dis" cunning his finger across his thrOat).
Tho witness asked how much money they got,
and Nnrdello said. Eighty dollars" aud wit
ness asked, 'How much you get for your
shareT' Nardello said, "Mo get s30." The
leg of his pants, and Nardello said, "Me kneele
down see If he alive" Then he began crying,
and the witness walked away from the cell
number of other witnesses were examined
as TO minor points In the case, and with this
chief.
Col. Corkhll asked that the Jury be per.
mitted TO visit the scene where It is alleged the
crime was committed.
The court did not think much could be gained
In making the visit II wns accompanied
with dangers, aud declined to adopt the suggcs.
ton.
The defense called In It's first witness, e. d.
Wright, who testified that he attempted TO
make him understand
When this witness lefl the stand Col. Cork.
hill announced his evidence ali in, The gov
ernment had no rebuttal to offer, and his honor
said; "Well, that ends the testimony"
Col. Corkhill recalled bis decision, and Neooio
Franco. was examined and testified that Ro-
tunno disappeared on Tuesday night.
With this evidence the testimony was again
announced as closed.
District Attorney worthlngton. opened tho
case for the goycrnment aud. without his con.
Guiding, the trial adjourned for the day.
THE STATEMENTS or PRISONERS.
Among the witnesses examined last Wednes-
day was Detective Block in relation TO an in.
terylew with the prisoner at the first precinct
station as to the change made In his clothing.
On the cross.eNamination of the same witness
yesterday II was shown that Nardello was
brought from the cell aud IN the presence of
several officers intorrogated by Block and the
answers used against him at the trial The
defense objected to the admission of this testi-
mony.
some length on the duties of officers aud mis-
takes they made in their efforts TO make case.
lie said ut appears rs II this man was taken
out Of his cell IN irons before a squad of police
officers and interrognted at will by them. with
no one there In hts behalf to cross.examine,
and Intercepted to the fullest extent. Ho did
not know but what he was before a magistrate
clothed with the proper authority. lie did not
know the difference. If had known when
the testimony was first offered that 1t was OBJ
tained IN such way, that the prisoner was in
irons, i most certainly would have ruled II
out, There was nothing said about irons when
II was first offered and ruled It in. Such
proceeding might have done In the days of
the inquisition,. but at this day / do not
think IL would be countenanced. l do
not think any tribunal in the United States
would allow such statements under any such
circumstances to become evidence, and shall
instruct the Jury TO totally disregard such con-
feSsions. And, although l will sustain the
officers in the proper discharge of their duties
IL IL statements made to them in the proper dis.
case like this, where the man is taken out OF
his cell In irons as If to be interrogated by
magistrate and addressed in two languages, 1t
seems TO me is carrying the matter altogether
| too far"