New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-01
CAMORRA CHIEF ON STAND
Erricone Scathing|y Arralgns the
italian Authorities.
TELLS OF NEW YORK ARREST
First Brought to Justice by Lieu.
tenant Petrosino-Prisoner
Makes Eloquent Plea.

vnerbo. Italy. March 1.-THE lovers 81
the dramatic had their III at to-days Sos
sion Of the trial ~ the thirty-six Camor-
rists for murder. Enrico Alfano. the terror
OF Italy reputed To no the actual head OF
the criminal organization. was under inter
royation. and held the spectators SPELL
bound with the coduencc Of his den'als.
The man Is innocent or corsummate
actor. As hc proceeded his slender hgufe
seemed To grow until II dominated the
CO, ri room. and friends and enemies AK"
slrank from the gaze that he fNcd. first
upon ole and then another. while ht-poireh
forth the most scatbina arraignre'Tt OF the
authorities that has ever been heard In an
Italian court Of justice.
II am n victim Of yellow Journalism. nc
cried II have been ruined by carabineers.
who have made me appear az an assassin.
Erricone as he is commonly known. could
not have done It better IL he had rehearsed
the part for wears. He began modestly ana
calmly. gradually raising his voice and dis
playing his emotions until he had his audi
tors CENTRALIZED.
You could have heard a pin drop when
Pre- sident Bianchi commanded Erricone To
come from the prisoners steel cage and
take a place before the bar. Quietly ETH
core stepped forth and assumed natural
attitude. without any attempt at the theat-
rical. just in front Of the Justices benci.
He replied 10 the preliminary questions IN
voice that was not strong. but was pene-
trating He denied categorically tho ac-
cusations Of the informer. Genna-o Abb
BIZ temaggio He said that he WAS not in
%, silion to condemn tie Cuoccolos to death.
THE story that ! have ever been the
head Of me Camorra is a legend he said
IL was neither Its head nor its tail
lie admitted that in his youth he was ar
rogant and auarrelsome. and even had
committed some excuses: but. he asked,
what youth OF my class in Naples has
not been arrogant. quarrelsome and guilty
Of bOyish excesses?'
Looked Like q Savage Animal.
AS the questioning proceeded Errcone
showed signs OF irritation finally trembling
with excitement. As the TRUSTS OF the
President and Crown Prosecutor went
home. Erricone's face hardened with anger
until he looked like a savage animal about
TO spring upon it's prey. Suddenly he
abandoned all attempts at composure. and
gave free rein to his feelings In perOra-
ton that was truly eloquent.
1T is a lie: a myth he shouted. II
was neither the head nor the tail Of the
Camorra. was boy among hoys'of the
poorer class. | was no better and no worse
than my mates. was ruined first by the
sensationalism OF that newspaper. the
''Mattino" That IL why. although now
a member OF the stan Of that paper APP
preached me. when | was arraigned In
court as murderer. could not help spit
ting in his face.
Then the carabineers damned me by
making me appear as an assassin. To call
US assassins is inhuman cruelty. No one
has right to so stigma .iZe us. not even
confessed criminal. vino to serve his
own ends, becomes an assassin only after
he has been condemned
President Bianchi. interrupting. beseeched
Erricone 10 calm himself, but the only
effect was to cause the prisoner to burst
into tears. and. sobbing violently. ne con-
tinued: For four years I have suffered
persecution and martyrdom. Constantly
before my eyes Is picture Of my dear.
! innocent brother. dying in prison cell. adj
| Joining my own. In my ears ring his
laments a. he passed through the agony
OF death He was young. and the beauti-
full image OF his Creator. He died inno-
| cent.