Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19
NORA IS GR|LLED
Camorlst, on Stand All Day,
Is Cr0sS-Examined.
DENIES ALL THE CHARGES
Defends Members Of Band and Makes
Good Impression.
MAGISTRATES ARE ACCUSED
One Of Latter Ordered to Appear
When Court Hearing IL Re
sumed Tuesday.
DENIES ALL THE CHARGES
MAGISTRATES ARE ACCUSED

Special CableEram to Tho Star.
vITERBO. March 18.-Nicola Nora.
the Camorrist. who Is accused by the
government OF having planned and d.
rected the murder Of Gennaro Cucocul-
Ia and his wife, was before the court
from the time the session opened this
morning until President Bianchi ad-
1ourned the hearing late this afternoon
until next Tuesday.
The crown advocate has asserted that
Nora and Corrado Sortino beat Cuco-
culla to death with clubs while their
companions stabbed him. Then they
went to Cucoculla's house, it is assert
ed. and accomplished the murder OF
Cucoculla's wife the beautiful Sorren-
tino."
All the details Of the crime as stated
In the indictment were hurled at Nor
ra during his cross-examination. but
he denied every accusation. claiming
innocence OF both crimes. His past
record also was laid bare. He denied
Abatemaggio's statement and renewed
his attacks on the carbineers, who, he
said, had instituted a reign of terror
in Naples by threatening to arrest all
persons who refused to give evidence
against the Camorrists. He brought
sr~~-..c accuo..ivus against several
magistrates and the public prosecutor
President Bianchi ordered one magis-
trate to take the stand and defend
himself. which he will do at the re-
sumption OF the hearing next week.
Said to Have Forged Passports.
President Bianchi reminded Nora
that he had been prosecuted in con-
nection with fraudulent bills fex-
change. Nora replied that he acted
only as an intermediary for Deputy
Bonavoglia. The president further re-
minded Nora that he had forged pass
ports for the purpose Of going to
America, ostensibly as a butcher, but
really to accompany women who were
going to the United States for immoral
purposes. Nora replied that his mis-
sion to America was not on business Of
any kind.
Nora made a brave showing through
out the long ordeal. 1t was plain that
he had prepared his answers long ago
and he delivered them in selected
phrases calculated to make as good an
impression on the jury as possible He
spoke with excessive gestures. some
times pitching his voice high and again
whispering in tone SO low as to be
scarcely audible. He was loyal to his
Dand In every statement and assayed
the role of protector OF their female
slaves with dramatic effect
Some of his past offenses he unflinch-
lngly admitted, but he was always care
ful to avoid discriminating any of his
comrades He stoutly defended Maria
Standardo. wife Of a Camorrist. who is
aIeged to have conducted a disorderly
house that served as a rendezvous for
the criminals. Whenever President Bian-
chi called Standards house disorderly
Nora protested vehemently, maintaining
that Standard was a Woodworking man
who only rented furnished rooms
Makes Good Impression.
Nora succeeded in some degree in his
attempt to impress the jury and specta-
ward a strong alibi. declaring that on
the day of the murder he took part in
the festival Of Madonna di Montevergine
He also betrayed the Camorrists' line of
defense. which will be to show that the
Camorra, as criminal organization, is a
myth.
President Bianchi severely reprimanded
Lawyer Battaglia, who laughed whenever
the questioning tended to show the eX-
istence Of such an association. The
charge of participating in the society is
least feared of all by the Camorrists. as
the maximum penalty is only five years,
and several of the band have already
served that long.
When Nora re-entered the cage late
this afternoon the Camorrists nearest
him grabbed his hands. while Erricone
nodded approvingly. Standardo sobbed
bitterly.
The Viterbo police were occupied today
with the arrival of several notorious
characters from Naples. All persons con-
nected with the trial and the prisoners
relatives were ordered to be in their
houses when the curfew bells rang at u
O clock tonight.