New-York tribune., 1911-03-25
CAM0RRA CRIMES Barred
Abbatemaggio. the Informer,
Tells OF the ClIoccoIos Murder.
DEN0UNCES ORGANIZATION
Witness Was Proud Of His Pro
motion in Criminal Band. but
Il Now Ashamed Of IT..

Ntterho. ITALY, March :. The most sen
sstional session NJ the trial of tho Csnor-
rists who are charged with tho murder ~
Gennsro Cuoccolo and his wife occurred
to-day when Gennaro AbbatemagCoi, tho
ey-memher Of tho nlurderous gang. who
turned states evidence against his former
brothers -in-crime took the stand The
courtroom was crowded
Abba temageio a. 10 was examined stood
outside his cage erect with his chest we'll
forward. a though challenging the world.
He spoke aloud throughout. and on
desvored to give strength - mis- arguments
with dramatic gestures. He described th,
organization II ile Camorra its degrees.
plans and modes of working. He said he
knew everything concerning tho orgsniza-
ton because he was its most active NOM
ber until 1907 and participated in all It's
daring enterprise.
The witness enumerated thef= he had
committed with Luigi Arena who sat in
the big cage with tho other prisoners. gIar-
ing at Abbatemagglo and biting his lips
"a though lie would like to cat the in
former Abbatemageio recounted how Clio
vanni Rapi trea surer Of the camorra, vas
made receiver Of their stolen goods.
When he reached the climax of his testi-
mony. Abbattemageio summarized the Ca
mora by saying: 1T is n hlthy associa-
ton"
Abbatems ggio said hc began his criminal
career and thc following year was pro-
NOTED to he a Camorris,-a promotion
which sometimes required years TO attain.
Then he added:
II was very proud then. just as proud
as I am now ashamed. | am glad 20 he
in prison. for | desire TO expiate all tho
evil have done"
Throughout his testimony to-day Ab-
batemagsio bore himself in Z dignificd man
ncr. He was thoroughly absorbed with his
mission as informer, and az he ro-cntered
his cage at the conclusion Of tho sitting he
bowed TO tho jury as though he were
ascending "A throne.
President Bianchi opened the proceed
lncs to-day with the examination of Gem
naro Ihcli. following this with the ques-
tionng of Luigi Arena.
Ibelli is assorted 10 he the head nf that
branch of the Camorra which operates i'm
the Vesuvian villages. lie was one Of the
rartv that dined with Enrico Alfano on
tho night that Gennaro Cuoccolo and his
wife were murdered lie was arrested
soon aftcrward but released upon the false
representations Of the priest. Giro VitozzI.
According 10 Abbatemaggio, one Of the Of
fences of Cuoccolo was his defiance OF
Ibeli. He is charged with having been
one of those who instigated the murder.
This he denied to-day, and lie also denied
that he had dned with tho other leaders
,feyl4s in tr..,
Lujgi Arena was then called, and his
story afforded much interest to the spec
tators Arena t. the man who Is charged
with having called upon his brother
Camorrists TO kill Cuoccolo in revenge for
his own betrayal Abbatcmaggo says that
Cuoccolo wished "A portion OF the spoils OF
a robbery committed by Arena and few
comnanions This was refused, whereupon
Cuoccolo denounced the robbers To the po-
lice and they were imprisoned From his
cell Arena sent "A postal card TO one of the
leaders asking for Cuoccolo's death as
traitor TO the Camorra.
The carabncers claim 10 have found
this postcard and also Cuoccolo's ring.
rhich was 20 have been sent to ANna In
proof that vengeance had been done. Re-
plying TO the president, Arena said:
This story Of Abbatomaggio is fable.
am not Camorrist. While IN prison
pss Camorrist. il is true, for IN prison
al men arc Camorrists | challenge any
one 10 produce the postcard which am
said 10 have written to De Marinis. ABB
batemaggio, i'm support of his own ro-
nance. related 20 the police. made up this
story of the postcard, and the pretended
1, 4, - \ irtaf
cent Of this crime. and Abbatomagcio's
statement that | asked for Cuoccolos
death and was responsible for his murder
fs false -