The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-04-01
MOST FEARED
MAN IN ITALY
Courts at Last Reached Errl-
cone
ARRESTED BY AMERICAN
Chance Even Now That He May Es-
caps-He Maintains InsOlent
Air; Denies All the
Charges.
ARRESTED BY AMERICAN

Viterbo, Italy, April 1.-The lovers Of
the dramatic had a feast at yesterdays
session of the trial OF the SO CamOrrists
for murder. Enrico Alfano, the terror
Of Italy, reputed to be the actual head
Of the criminal organization, was I'M
der interrogation and held the specta-
tors close attention
The man is innocent or consummate
actor As he proceeded, the slender fig
ure seemed to grow until it dominated
the court room, 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 ar
raignment of the authorities that has
ever been heard in an Italian court Of
Justice.
Il am a victim Of yellow journalism, >
he cried. Il have been ruined by cara.
bineers, who have made me appear as
an assassin
One could have heard a pin drop when
President Bianchi commanded Erricone
to come from the prisoners steel cage
and take a place before the bar Quiet
ly Errieone stepped forth. He replied
to the preliminary questions in voice
that was not strong, but was penetrat-
ing He denied categoricallv, the accusa-
tions OF the informer, Gennaro Abbate-
maggie. He said that he was not in a
position to condemn the Cuoceolos to
death.
As the questioning proceeded, Erri-
cone showed signs of irritation, finally
trembling with excitement. As the
thrusts OF the president and crown prose.
cutor went home, Erricone's face hard.
ened with anger, until he looked like
savage animal about to spring upon
its prey Suddenly he abandoned all
attempts at composure and gave free
rein to his feeling in an eloquent perora-
ton.
at is a lie, a myth" he shouted 81
was neither the head nor the tail of
the Camorra / was boy among boys
of the poorer class. ! was no better and
no worse than my mates. They say |
was quarrelsome and committed ex-
cesses Yes but what boy in my class
OF life has not done wrong or been in.
discreet
Il was ruined first by the sensation
alism OF that newspaper, The Mattino.
That is why, although I now regret the
deed. all my nerves rebelled az mem
Der OF the staff Of that paper approached
me when | was auaigned in court as a
murderer, ! could not not help splitting
in his face
"Then the carabineers made nue. APP
pear as an assassin No one has a right
to so stigmatize us. Not even hard
ened criminal, to serve his own ends,
becomes an assassin onfy after he has
been condemned
President Bianehi interTupting, told
Erricone to calm himself, but the only
effect was to cause the prisoner TO burst
into tears and sobbing violently, he
continued.
"For four years I have suffered perse-
cution and martyrdom. Constantly be
fore my eyes is picture of my dear,
innocent brother dying in prison cell,
adjoining my own. in my ears ring his
lament as he passed through the agony
of death lie was young and the beau
tiful image OF his Creator. He died in
nocent"
For a moment Erricone paused and
the only sound came from the prisoners
cage. where Gennaro Ibelli, alleged head
of the Camorra in the Vesuvian viii
lage, leaning his head against the steel
bars, wept.
1t was dramatic moment and there
was sigh Of relief anon gthe specta
tors when Erricone got his feelings UNI
der control, and launched into de-
nunciation of Abbatemaggio. He de-
scribed the informer as a poor young
man, whom he had helped by giving him
employment as a stable boy.
Erricone said that Abbatemaggio had
returned his generosity by stealing from
him, blackmailing him and trying to
ruin him.
"Ametta, a brigadier of the cara
bineers,n remarked the president, "has
declared that you are q Camorrist"
"Erricone replied "All Naples knows
that Ametta is disreputable. He is
the companion OF evil women"
"But Ametta has been accused, tried
and acquitted"
"All Naples knows how certain &C.
quittals can be obtained" was the re.
ioinder of the prisoner.