Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-26
TRIAL OF CAMORRA LEADERS
Famous Case Will Occupy Italian
Court for at Least a Year.
STORY OF CRIME AND ROMANCE
Forty One Men Charged with Heing
Implicated IN Murder Conspiracy
-Four Hundred and FIfty
witnesses.

NITERBO. Italy. Friday. Feb. i7-This
historic town, called by ancient writer's
The City Of Handsome Fountains and
Beautiful Women" has rot been a center
OF such interest as now since the thir-
teenth century, when the conclave which
resulted IN the election Of Theodore Wis
cont as Gregory X. met in the Episcopal
palace here and continued in session for
two years and nine months. during which
time It was the scene Of unending violence
and bloodshed. among the murdered being
the English Prince Henry.
At the present time Il ls a criminal trial
instead OF a conclave which attracts the
interest OF the whole world. The leaders
Of the dreaded Metropolitan Camorra are
about TO be judged and the case may
rival in duration the conclave Of 1911 with
the difference that while then the people
removed the roof Of the Episcopal palace
to force the cardinals to come 10 a
decision. there is now no way according to
Italian legislation to shorten procedure
OF the courts.
Long Trial.
1t is expected that the trial will occupy
one year unless there is a postponement
it win open on March II. Already thronss
Of interested ones are making arrange
ments for accommodations in the town and
the authorities are busy perfeotinE slab-
crate police and military precautions
against interference on the part Of the
thousands of friends Of the forty-one pris-
oners, many OF them desperate men. The
testimony Of $50 witnesses has been pre-
pared by the state No one knows to what
revelations this testimony may lead. or
what ramifcations in official life the ex-
posture Of the Camorra may lay bare
story of Crime aud Romance.
The voluminous documents In the case
reveal a story more engaging than
romance. II is the result OF four years
Of police work, Il shows that Gennaro
Cuoccolo, upon whose murder the case was
built, was not only a notorious criminal
but also a rival In the Camorra Of it's
alleged head, Enrico Alfona, also known
as Erricono. His body, bearing many stab
wounds, was found at Tore Del Greco,
suburb of Naples, on June Z. 1906 He
appeared to have died in a duel, but there
were no ashes on the dancing pumps Of
the handsome and well dressed victim.
though the Vesuvian ashes were knee
deep about the place. II was plain that
the body has been brought to the place
and so murder was established. Identified
tion failed until q certain cavalier, Couc-
colo, recognized the body as that of his
brothers son.
He was bound to finish like this" the
uncle exclaimed.
Ever since his bOyhood he had given
himself up to light loves and bad COM
psnions and was anything but an honor
to his family. His father died Of a broken
heart. Gennaro soon dissipated his fortune
and almost ruined his younger brother.
He was interdicted and given 800 francs a
month, which should have enabled him 10
live decently, but he continued to follow
his evil ways to the point OF marrying
woman Of doubtful character, Maria
Cutinelh who was a beauty of the people.
called The Beautiful sorrentlno,' as she
came from Sorrento. 1t must be she who
has involved him In some new infamy in
which he has lost his life"
The body OF THE Beautiful sorrentirfo.''
horribly mutilated, was found in their
pretty apartment q few steps from the
royal palace. Then was begun a police in
quiry that uncovered the greatest criminal
conspiracy OF modern times and which
led unquestionabiy to the assassination of
the New York detectivs, Lieutenant Joseph
PetrosinO