New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-17
A CRIME OF THE MALTA.
ASSASSINS SAVED BY SECRET INFLUENCES
IN NAPLES.

Naples. December %, 1891.
The sentimental trial of the Dukes Francesca ana
Pietro Notarba rtolo-v illarosa for the murder OF
Lieutenant Leone of the artillery, has come to an
end after three months duration. The power OF
the Malta and Cammorra of which the accused men
were leaders has been manifested in all its hideous
and dangerous aspects, and has led to practlcai
acauital of the aristocratic culprits Duke retro
is again free to return TO his palace in Palermo.
while his brother has been condemned TO the SNORT
Imprisonment Of five years The sentence OF the
blacker villain is a slight concession to respectaoe
public opinion. Italians outside OF the secret
society believe the dukes guilty OF murder ana
tlenounce in strong terms the unjust Veroic'.
Italian journals which could not be corrupted Dy
the money offers of the criminals friends mourn
in touching words the decay Of Italian justice.
Sad indeed is the reflection which the trial casts
upon Italian jures, Italian courts and Italian
law.
The homes of the Dukes of Notarbartola is in
Palermo Although they had never been sum.
moned 10 q court of justice prior TO the present
trial their reputation has not been above Sis
picon. The members of the secret police in their
native town declare that they have been leaders
of the Malta for years, and have naturally been
engaged in the vilcst of crimes.
The father of the handsome noblemen was long
since laid to rest in the vault of his ancestors But
with them still lived Caterina, their lovely, uu-
married sister. who months ago fell in love WIN
handsome and pennlless officer Of the artlnery.
Lieutenant Leone. Having neither rank nor
money the Young man was objectionable to the
patrician brothers who looked upon their beauti-
fnl sister as a valuable object for exchange. but
their threats failed TO cool the love OF the falr
Caterna or dampcn the ardor of Leones court
ship Francesca, with little preteXt. finally
.l,,nt uyoc ca
vercly wounded, but the blood drawn in the en-
counter seemed only to unite more closely the lie
fatcd lovers.
The spring and summer passed Caterina often
met her hero in secret. and pledged anew her
troth and fidelity Tho young officer offered 70
release her from the bonds, but she declared thar
her happiness depended upon him, and that time
must accomplish their union
Early last September the brothers grew des-
pcrstc. They saw that radical measures must
be adopted if they hoped to save their sister.
Taking an old servant into their confidence, they
sent him one evening with nOie 10 Leone. calling
| him apparently to 4 conference with CATERING.
| With the confidence and bravery born o. his love.
| he unsuspicioIsy crossed the threshold OF the
palace moment later. promenaders along the
street heard two pistol shots echo, and the words
"Aiuto. Nj amay zano." -" Help They murder
me ."-resound in the hallway. Leone had fallen.
The brazen noblcmen rushed at once to the police
station and declared that the crazy lieutenant
had committed suicide in their palace because
they had again refused TO permit his marriage
to their sister
Suspicious circumstances, however. tended to
disprove their tale, and the dukes were arrested
on the charge Of murder The trial was begun
at Palermo. The advocates employed by the dead
Thar ,,,bo had 70 rpva
son, were at first hopeful of victory. But in
the course Of the trial the witnesses who had feS-
| titled against the prisoner one after the other
began to revoke their testimony and sing the
praises of the dukes Thr secret societies had
begun to exercise their power. An investigation
proved that the Jurors, themselves had all been
bribed. and that trial in Palermo mock
cry The case WAS transferred tn this city. but
the homes OF the plaintiff have been vain: they
escaped the Malta to fall into the hands Of the
Camorra. which is still powerful in this ancient
and lovely place.
TIE result of the trial evident days ago
| Day after day the COURTROOM was crowded
with the representatives OF the denn-monde
and the rougher elements of Naples. Patrician
| faces too. were 70 he seen in the thiong. SodieS
we're summoned TO maintain order, ana WIN
difficulty succeeded in their task. Flowers were
sent each day 10 the cells "i The arlS'ocra'i"
criminals. Every art was employed 10 influence
the Jury The final scenes were dramatic
Cuccia, the principal counsel of the defendants.
smoke in broken tones Of the calamity which had
fallen upon the house OF Notarbartola. lie wept,
The prisoners wept The visitors TO the court
room wcpt The jurors toached. The
redeemed eyes OF the advocate and tie tears OF
the prisoners werr signs OF innocence or repentance
The Jurors retired to their room and returned in
a short time with their verdict momcntary
silence cnsuel while the judge called for
the decision. The jurors. came the answer.
could not believe that Leone had killed
himself in the palace at Palermo; bus
they did believe that lie had become engaged
in a quarrel with the dukes and thus had met
his dcath
Seldom has any courtroom witnessed such
scenes as were enacted upon the announcement
of the verdict. The representatives of the Cani-
ORA were wild with the joy Of their triumph.
They followed and screamed. Arc you not
ash tmed - cried the honest judge, after calling
i'm vain for order The tunult Increased.
4" You are all swindlers ana liars, Numbered Duke
Pietro looking toward the judge, jury and State
councillors A. he walked 10 the door. followed
hy his demoniacal friends Thus ended the famous
trial. travesty upon Justice. Duke Pietro l. free,
and few people doubt that five months instead nj
five years will be the length of Duke Fran.
cesco's imprisonment