New-York tribune., 1903-05-02
WTTNESSES FEAR MAFIA.
Barrel Behind Jury at Murder In
quest by Coroner.

There was revealed yesterday at Coroner Schoer's
inquest the difficulty the police going to have in
bringing to task the murderers of Benedetto Ma
duena, whose body found in a barrel. As is in
variaby the case when their countrymen are ac-
cused of crime, the Italians called as witnesses
showed utter lack of knowledge of things
they known to have seen, and even denied
being acquainted with friends. 1t has already ap-
peared that fear OF the Mafa and its bloodthlrsty
gang here has led the forced collection OF tund
for the defence OF the prisoners and caused pneas
in called the jury. ana TINS
fear more evident yesterday IN the
answers and denials of the witnesses.
A jury finally selected yesterday and when
the blood stained in which the body had been
found placed behind the jury box the unsatls-
factory work of trying to extract from lta1ans
answers they had decided not to give began by
Assistant District Attorney Garvan. All were ex-
amined through Interpreters.
The first witness was Antonio Geneva dealer
in groceries and wines in Elizabeth-st near Prince
He had heard of Maduena, but had never seen him.
He had seen his picture. He failed to recognize
him from picture shown by Mr.. Garvan. He did
not cross Stanton-st. at the BoweTy on the Monday
afternoon following Easter with Maduena. He did
meet a man driving horse there in the afternoon
He did not know John Laconia, butcher. and he
did not remember meeting LaCona and Maduena in
the Bowery.
To the question. Were you In inzarrlio's cafe
Monday afternoon and stayed until $50 at
night?' his reply II don't remember. but /
am sure not
After patromen had testified to finding the body
Nicole Testa of No. SO DIain-st. Brooklyn. VINO
worked the butcher shop Of John Sarconi. tes-
titled that Sarcont had old wagon with one
horse, covered with some kind of an awning lie
was in the Bowery with this wagon on the Mon
day after Easter He next saw the wagon on the
following Wednesday in the yard OF the stable;
Salvatore Sagiiabene. stepson of the rnqraeIed
man, No. Il Trenton-st., Buffalo, toid OF eayIns
his stepfather station in Buffalo. and ldeil
titled his watch he had lent TO HIS step
father. -. r-..-
Pietro Inzarrillo in whose cafe. at No. 226 Eliza
heth-st, it is suspected that the murder was com
mtted, was the satisfactory witness OF Inc
day. He testified that all Of the suspected men
used sit in his restaurant and talk. MoreIo ana
Pecoraro more than any of the others Every one
o these had his mail sent to the coffee house.
He had known Maduena for eighteen or twenty
months He last him two or three nights De
fore Easter. when Re entered the restaurant with
two women. He declared he had not coected
money for De Primo's defence, but did get 80
from a barber who received it from Bene9etto He
He bought sugar at No 23i El:zabeth-st. but never
examined the barrels closely. lie used empty bar
res to send goods out of town. He did not remem-
ber that boy went TO the restaurant the day after
Easter with a letter and telegram. He denied that
the prisoners his place on that day, ana
that after he had closed the store they went to the
basement to play cards
InZarillo then DISCHARGED a witness but
Immediately rearreSted on the charge OF coun-
terfeitng. by Deputy United States Marshal Me-
Aveney and taken to Ludlow Street Jail.