The Oskaloosa herald., 1911-04-06

NlJerDo, ltdly, April l!-LONeFs Vi
the dramatic had their All at the trial
OF the IS Camorrists for murder. En-.
rico Alfano, generally called Erricone
the terror OF Italy, reputed to be the
actual head Of the criminal organiza'
ton, was under examination and held
the spectators spellbound with the clio.
Quence of his denials.
Blsmes Yellow Journals.
The man is innocent or consum'
mate actor. As he proceeded the
slender figure seemed to grow until
It dominated the courtroom and
friends and enemies alike shrank
from the gaze that he fixed first on
one and then on another as he poured
forth perhaps the most scathing ar
rsignment of the authorities that has
ever been heard In an Italian court
of Justice. .,.
Il am a victim Of yellow journal.
ISM" he cried. ~ have been ruined
by carbineers who have made me ap.
pear as an assassin"
Erricone could not have done 1t bet
ter II he had rehearsed the part for
years. He began modestly and calm
~, gradually raising his voice and dis
playing his emotions until he had his
auditors enthralled.
Complete Silence In Court.
You could have heard a pin dror
when President Bianchi commanded
Erricone to come from the prisoners
steel cage and take a place before
the bar. He stepped forth and as
sumed a natural attitude without any
attempt al the theatrical. He replied
to the preliminary questions In a
voice that was penetrating, but not
loud.
THE story that I have ever been
the head Of the Camorrs Is legend.
he said. 81 was never its head or Its
tail"
ErricoDe admitted that In youth he
was arrogant and quarrelsome and
even had committed some excuses
but" he asked. what youth OF m,
class in Naples has not been arrogant
auarrelsome and guilty OF boyish ex
cesses?"
As the examination proceeded Err
ricone showed signs Of irritation. final
~ trembling with excitement. As the
thrusts Of the president and the crown
prosecutor went home his face hard
ened with anger until he looked like
savage animal about to spring upor
ITS prey. Suddenly he abandoned al
attempts at composure and gave free
rein to his feelings in a peroratior
that was truly eloquent.
Prisoner Arraisns Newspaper.
Erricone declared that his chara ct eli
was ruined by the "sensationalism Of
that newspaper, the Mattino."
That" he continued. is why. al
though regret the deed, all my nerve
rebelled as a member OF the stan OF
that paper approached me when was
arTaigned In court as a murderer. and
could not help splitting In his face.
Then the carbineers damned me
by making me appear as an assassin
To call us asssssins is inhuman cruel
". No one has a right so to stig
Matte us-not even a confessed Grim
inal who, to serve his own ends. be
comes an assassin only after he ha.
been condemned"
Bursts Into Tears on Stand.
President Biancbi. interrupting, be
seeched Erricone to calm himself. but
the only effect was to cause the pris
oner to burst into tears, and, sobbing
violently. he continued:
For four years have suffered per
secution and martyrdom. Constantly
before my eyes Is picture of nv
dead. innocent brother. dying in a
prison cell adjoining my own. In nv
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"
For moment Erricone paused and
the only sound came from the prison,
ers cage. where Gennaro Ibelii. al
legged head Of the Camorra in the We.
suvian villages. leaning his head
against the steel bars. cried like a
child.
II was q dramatic moment and there
was sigh OF relief among the spec,
tators when Erricone got his feelings
under control and launched into a
denunciation OF Abbatemaggio. He
described the informer as poor
young man whom he had helped by
giving him employment as a stable
boy.