Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-31
Real Head of Camorra Refutes
Abbatemaggio's Testimony.
HOLDS CROWD SPELLBOUND
Most-Feared Man in Italy Dramatic
On the Stand.
SEVERE ON AUTHORITIES
Prisoner Also Declares BE is Victim
of Yellow Journalism.
Called an Assassin.

FITERBO, March 31.-The lovers Of
the dramatic had their fill at today's
session of the trial of the thirty-siX
Camorrists for murder. Enrico AL
fano. generally called Erricone the
Terror of Italy. reputed to be the ac-
tual head Of the criminal organizat ton,
was under Interrogation and held the
spectators spellbOund with the elo-
quence of his denials
The man is innocent or conSum-
mate actor. AS he proceeded the slen-
der figure seemed to grow until it
dominated the courtroom and friends
and enemies alike Shrank from the
gaze that he fixed. first upon one and
then another, while he poured forth
the most scathing arraignment Of the
authorities that has ever been heard
in an Italian court of justice
Il am victim of yellow jOurna lism"
he cried. Il have been ruined by cara
bineers. who have made me appear as
an assassin.
Erricone could not have done it better
if he had rehearsed the part for years
He began modestly and calmly. gradually
raising his voice and diSpla wing his emo
tiOnS until he had his auditors entbra lied
one could have heard pin drop when
President Bianchi commanded Erricone to
come from the prisoners steel cage and
take place before the bar Quietly
EIrr1cone stepped forth and assumed
natural attitude, without any attempt a
the theatrical, just in front of the JUS
tees bench.
Denies the Accusations.
He replied to the preliminary questions
In voice that was penetrating. but not
loud. He denied categorically the accu-
sat!ons OF the informer, Gennaro Abbate-
maggio. He said that he was not in
position to condemn the CuoccOlos to
death
The story that I have ever been the
head of the Camorra is a legend he
said. Il was neither its head nor its
tall
He admitted that in youth he was arro-
CANT and quayrelsome. and even had COM
mitted some excesses. But" he asked,
what youth of my class in Naples has
not been arrogant. Guarrelsome and guilty
OF bOyish eXceSses?''
AS the questioning proceeded Erricone
showed signs of irritation, finally trem-
bling with excitement. AS the thrusts of
the president and crown prosecutor went
home %Erricone's face hardened with
anger until he looked like q savage ami
NAL about to spring upon it's prey. Sud-
denly ne abandoned all attempts at COM
posure and gave free rein TO his feelings
IN paroratioh that was truly eloauent.
Says Character Was Ruined.
Having admitted his youthful excesses
Erricone declared that his character was
ruined "by the sensationalism of that
newspaper, the Mattino." Continuing, he
said, that is why, although 1 now re-
gret the deed. all my nerves rcbeIied
as member of the staff OF that paper
approached me. when i was arraigned in
court as murderer, and l could not help
splitting in his face.
Then the carabineers damned me by
making me appear an assassin. To call
us assassins is inhuman cruelty. No one
has right to so stigmatize us, not even
confessed criminal. who. to serve his
own ends, becomes an informer only
after he has been condemned
President Bianchi. interrupting, be-
seeched ErricOne to calm himself, but the
only effect was to cause the prisoner to
continued:
For four years 1 have suffered perse-
cution and martyrdom. Constantly before
my eyes is picture of my dear, innocent
my own. In my ears ring his laments as
he passed through the agony of death. He
was young and the beautiful image of his
Creator. He died innocent
Other Prisoners Affected.
only sound came from the prisoners cage,
where Gennaro Ibelli. alleged head of the
Camorra in the Vesuvian villages, leaning
his head against the steel bars, cried
like a child.
There was a sigh of relief among the
under control. and launched into a de-
nunciation of Abbatemaggio. He de-
scribed the informer as poor young man
whom he had helped by giving him en-
ployment as a stable boy.
The crimes laid at this mans door are
numberless and the Vaccinations with
which he is credited almost beyond be-
lief. At his headquarters in the Cafe
his victims and the police, Erricone was
wont to smile blandly upon those who
mentioned the Camorra. and say:
"Do you really believe there Is such a
thing? Why. those are stories of other
times
The prisoner was we'll prepared for to-
days examination, which was a thorough
one. He denied every accusation made
against him and ridiculed the tradition
Of his power.
Wealth Follows Poverty.
Erricone began his business career as
an errand boy in a flower shop Early
in life he had place of his own. Then
he established a grain market and spec
ulated in cattle. bargaining with the
farmers who visited the fairs He grew
wealthy and became usurer. with an
office In the center of the city. He wore
| fine clothes and his carriages and horses
attracted much attention as he drove
through the streets Of Naples
Some six years ago he surrendered the
highest place in the Camorra, head OF
the heads OF the society. to Luiga Succi,
but 1t is charged that he continued in
control of the organization.
His nominal Office was head Of the Vi
caria. the most populous and troublesome
district Of Naples. He was repeatedly
charged with responsibility for or com
plicity in crimes OF burglary, the white
slave traffic, fraud against the election
| laws and business corruption. Several
| times arrested, he was invariably dis
charged because of a lack Of evidence or,
at the worst. received light punishment.
Influence With Authorities.
These escapes are said to have been
due to his influence with the authorities.
many Of whom owed their offices to his
control over the votes of the poorer
classes, whom he often helped
| Abbatemaggio, the informer, has testi-
fed that Erricone approved the sentences
Of death imposed upon his traitorous as