The Washington herald., 1911-03-12
BY CAMILLO CIANFARRA.

Viterbo, Italy, March 1.-THE trial OF
the forty-two dreaded Camorrists opened
this morning
Technically, these arch-criminalS are
on trial for the murder of one GennarO
GuccOlO and his wife. but actually the
trial is the determined attempt of the
Italian government to break up, destroy,
and rid itself of the worst band Of des-
peradOes that ever cursed the kingdom.
incidentally, it is expected that the trial
will trace down the murderers of Lieut.
PetrOsinO, Of the New York police force,
and Miss Estclc Reid also of New York,
whose body, covered with stab wOurus
was found in the Bay of Naples a year
or so ago.
The trial began amid scenes Of the
utmost confusion, before a large array
of lawyers, a crowd of perturbed court
officials, and sixty newspaper cores
pondents, representing eight countries.
From the earliest hour this morning. a
great thrOnE Of people jammcd the Via
Garibaldi. the street which leads from
tn" Grandi penitentiary, where the ma
lCrity OF the prisoners are confined. 10
the courthouse. which was formerly. the
chapel of monastery.
Curious Arrive by TrainIoad.
The morning trains brought from the
nearby towns and villages a strong con-
tingent Of farmers, pictrreIcucIy ar
rayod, while German, American. and
English tourists. VIII" are spending Lent
in Rome, motored on here in the hope
Of Witnessing some exciting Incidents
In this, however, they wer,. diSIppOint-
90 fn- gr y 'rlf /,
pany of infantry, with loaded Inuskets
courthouse. and through this armed line
no one could pass but the holders OF per
nIitS. And it should be added these
passes We're issued only after a long ex-
animation Of the applicants by th,, tri-
hunal authorities. Another company Of
infantry guarded tn" peniJentiary en-
trance"
As ;hcy ;lIiGhte,I at tn. court ousc most
of the prisoners raised loud outrrieS Of
objection to the presence Of photogra-
PherS ami shouted to have them driven
away. All pulled their caps over their
faces or raised handkercniefS az wells
before the clicking cameras.
Greet Betrnyer with Fury.
It was not until all the prisoners had
been placed in the huge ste-I cage. made
especially for their repression. that Cen
narro Abbatemasgio. who has turned
states evidence. was brought into the
court room. The announcement of his
entrance brought his betrayed associates
to their feet with yells of fury. while
they shook the bars Of their cage.
The preliminary examination of the
prisoners, over, the work Of Se.ecting
jury was quickly begun. Nineteen jurors
were excused on doctors certificates.
The morning session lasted until 80
p m. when, the jury being still Incom-
plcte, Judge BianChi ordered supple
mcntary panel of fifty NOR" talesmen.
Subpoena servers uUrri"dly left the
court room in search OF their men. but
it was almost Il hopeless task. for when
at $50 o'clock tho court was recOnvenpd
the marshal Of the subpoena servers in
had fed the city or had been summoned
away by important business. Seeing
this condition Of affairs, Judge Bianchi
adjourned the trial until Tuesday.
\ great sensation was caused during
the afternoon session by the sudden aT-
pearanCc in court OF Prof. Murri and his
daughter. Linda. Years ago the profess
sUr, who is now serving 4 long sentence
at the local penitentiary, was convicted
of numbering his daughters husband 1t
is expected that his testimony will reveal
many astonishing things.
Tonight. Viterbo. looks like a town
under martial law. Ships are guarded
by police or troops; streets are lined with
troops Ur police. and the squares are
dark with groups of both police and
troops.