The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-12
DIDROFRANO SHOOT THE BABY?
ITALT.tN SOCIETY," IN THE ROT RTH
WARD All SPLIT UP.
Danny Hlordan Produces one CarneNalo lin
. Lenn, VINO says Twas lie. Not Mike.
the Political Leader. VINO Hit the ln-
fant In the Eye-Ncw Trial Ordered.

outcome 81 an lbllbu pplllCdl leuut uhI
by the other gross conspiracy to suborn
perjury, into which has been dragged the
name of State Senator Daniel j. Riordan
formerly q member Of Congress- came
to light yesterday through decision rem
dered by Supreme Court Justice Giegerich
Seven years ago when Paddy Diver
was etill boss Of the Second Assembly dis
trict, there were two Italian political or
CARNATIONS within his domain One. UNI
der the leadership Of Andrew Barhieri, a
contractor, supporte Diver strenuously
because Barbieri and u son of the loss
had business affiliations The other. tho
Michael \. Rofrano Association, supported
Tom Foley in his successful effort 10 wrest
the leadership from Diver because Nike
Rofrano hated Andy Barberi
On Independence Day 1898, both fac
tons had an outing and the following
night. July 5. We'd with each other in a
fireworks display. The Barbieri cub-ooms
we're on tho northeast corner OF james and
Oak streets; Rofrano's men met on the first
floor of the southwest corner
In the midst Of the uproar that accom-
panies such display pistol shots we're
4; heard, and then the screams Of young
woman and child. Little Lena Brien1a
had been saot In the left eye while reposiug
IN the arms Of her elder sister, Jul,a, VINO
had come out TO see the show Mike Ro-
franc was arrested and charged with the
shooting but he was discharged by the
Magistrate next morning Then Felce
( Brienza. father of the injured little one.
brought Il damage suit against Rofrano
in the Supreme Court. A jury gave him
verdict for $500 in April, 1900. from
which Rofrano appealed but the verdict
stood, and judgment was entered against
him in favor of Brien2a for So on. Rofrano
filed petition in bankruptcy, and in supple
mentary proceedings it was discovered
. that all he was supposed to own stood
In his mothers name. Fifteen months
ago Rofrano. who had made money in
Inc Fourth ward as builder Of Italian
tenements, became superintendent in
tho Department Of Tenement Houses,
The Brienza incident seemed 10 have dropped
out of view
But it had not been forgotten by tho
parties most interested. A few months
ago application was made 10 Justice Giege-
rich, in Rofrano's behalf, for reopening
the Brienza suit on the ground of newly
discovered evidence A1idavits and
counter afliduvts we're submitted to the
Court, and on the whole Justice Giegerich
has concluded that new trial should be
ordered.
In support of his application, Rofrano
repeated his denial that he had fired the
shot that blinded little Lena; no says he
was on the street seeking policeman when
The shooting occurred, and he has devoted
all his spare time, he says. since the acct
dent to finding out who shot the baby. Last
May, Rofrano AYERS, Senator Biordan told
him that he knew who had fired the shot;
that 1t was Rocco Camevalo, RoTrano 8
bitter enemy a Barbier man. But now
that Andrew Barbieri il dead the bond Of
hatred among his followers against Rofrano
~ dissolved, and Rocco Is willing to
admit his offence and relieve his old enemy
Of all blame
Senator Riorclan says in his affidavit that
a year or so ago he was accosted by Rocco
Carnevalo in a Park row saloon, where
he Senator had gone on business Rocco,
he says, was maudlin drunk and insisted
on talking over old political score, Let
us bury tho past and start fresh, were
Rocco's words in effect, "a the Senator
reports them. 1--WE got nothing against
Rofrano any more, and I'm willing to own
up that fired the shot he was arrested for
The senator says he was astounded. and
demanded more particulars. which Rocco
gave, 70 ll' tllfA'L t4ldl llt was " lllS ~ nv
one Of the Rofrano men and fired into the
crowd Riordan advised him 10 make a
clean breast of ii all as the sole possible
repaation. The Senator appends 70 has
affidavit a eulogy Of Mike Rofrano az a
man Of peaCeahla dispositiOn who has al
ways shrunk from violence of any kind
solid law abiding citizen, in fact, and an
honor 10 the community. Senator Rordan
once travelled to Jersey to give, verbally,
q somewhat similar certificate OF character
to the notorious Monk Eastman.
Rocco Carneyalos own affidavit is inter
esting II WAS translated into Italian for
him and he signed II. he says that he IL
barber and lives az ca East Broadway
He continues.
Il was the most active and aggressive
member Of tho Barhieri Association On
the evening of the 5th Of July, 1898 there
was a small celebration and both we and the
Rofrano Association gave rival fireworks
They began firing Roman candles at one
another and | was struck by a bail from
one while standing on the corner with Harry
Senese. ] saw man in the RCfrano rooms
deliberately firing Off candles and aiming
at NE. me. ,.,,, ,o,, nn,,od mo ann and
bla2ed awav MT him Suddenly | heard a
scream and the shouts Of people on the
first floor Of the opposite building | saw
n young woman shouting hysterically ar
she held a child In her arms. Wild excite
ment prevailed | Immediately dlsap-
Subsequently learned that my mortal
enemy. Michael Rofrano, had been arrested
and charged with the shooting. Above all
mon in the Rofrano faction. | hated him
Some time before that he had caused my
arrest. after j had assaulted him. Rofrano
was discharged at the hearing in the police
court, az / was afterward informed.
a few years have passed since that
night Some months ago Andrew Barbieri
died Now hat Barbieri il dead | have
buried my Grievance against his enemy.
Rofrano. II was the bullet from my re-
vover thgt pierced the eye Of the child
Lena Brienza and am willing to go on the
stand and testify under oatn TO these facts
as have stated them.
Harry Senese and Michael SAINT Angelo,
a saloonkeeper, made afiidavits corrobo-
rating Rocco's statements
The afiidavits on the BrienZa side Of the
issue directly contradict this alleged dis
covery. Fclice Brienza relates how. since
the entry Of the judgment Rofrano has re-
peatedly offered, both in person and by
proxy. TO settle the affair for 81 900 cash.
In February. 1904, BrienzA says Michael
SAINT Angelo summoned him to his saloon
and assured him that II would be we'll to
accept the 81 600. Rofrano. SAINT Angelo
sa!d. was now a great political parsonage.
who could do the Brienzas great deal Of
harm II he felt SO inclined. Besides he
had now great influence at court and could
have the Judgment cancelled if he wished.
but he had pity for the child and was willing
.