The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-03-06
CESARE DENIES
 HE TOLD LACNO
 TO CUT WOMAN
Alleges that Accused Man Lies for Revenge About SIashing of Dora Herman Had Said to Relative, With Whom Lagno Was Infatu- ated, That He Had Bad Reputation.

a Declaring that he had never order nann's face. and denying that he had even seen Lagno the night of the crime, Domenico Cesare, alleged lead CT of the local white slavers, took the stand in his own behalf before Judge Burpee and a jury this afternoon. Cesare, man of swarthy complexion, is well dressed and apparently about 40 years old.
 He testified that he has lived in this city about four years and at present keeps a grocery store at 55 Steuben street. Until recently she owned a restaurant on Water street February 10, when Dora Hermann was slashed, the ac, used admitted he was on Water street. He entered Cozza Bros. restaurant about 6:45, just as Frank. CoZZa was leaving.
 Cesare said he went to the reStaur- ant for the purpose of securing a loan of $500 with which he intended 10 buy a saloon. He stayed in the res- taurant only 15 or 20 minutes and then started home. On the way he stopped in a saloon and remained there four or five minutes. His wife y cause the baby was sick. During his visit to the restaurant CeSare denied that he had seen anybody he knew except Cozza.
 Did you combine with Iello and these other men to commit an as- sault upon Dora Hermann?" asked Attorney Greenstein, who represe ats the accused.
 'sNo, sir," replied Cesare. 'sI never consp1red to do any such coward y thing and especially to a woman I know nothing about and have had until saw her here in court.''
 Do you know any reason why Lagno should say these things about you?" asked Attorney Greenstein.
 The accused replied that Lagro several years ago was infatuated with relative of Cesare's but the latter told his relative Lagno had bad reputation and thereupon the match waJ broken off.
 ''Lagno hated me since.'' testified Cesare. He said to me, You are the cause of me not marrying the girl 1 will be time when I'll make you pay for it. ''
 The accused said he had known Lagno about three years. He hadn't seen him for three years until the day Lagno arrived in the patrol to help arrest CeSare
 The first witness at this morning g session was Chiliano Gregario, one of the men arrested in the raid upon the white slavers. He has lived here eight years and owns restaurant at Al Water street. He recalled that on the night of February 10 Cesare entered Cozza's place. Iello, who is charged with having been conspired with Cesare, was not in the place vt,n said
 Pasquale Furnara was another wit ness. Cesare married his stepdaughter the witness testified. On the night of the crime Cesare left home about 6 and returned about 7:20 He did not leave the house again that night. The slashing took place after o'clock and this was the beginning of the attempt to prove an alibi.
 Upon cross examination the witness admitted he had gone to the jail to see Cesare and had also made ar- engagements about getting bonds for the accused He denied telling a man named Cohen about a s2,4O0 fund which was raised for the men ar. rested.
 Mrs. Domenico Cesare. wife of the accused, said she had been married four years and has one child On the night of the crime her husband left home at o'clck and returned about 7:3O He didn't leave again that night. Rosie Bonazzi, mother-in-law W of the accused testified to the same thing.
 Frank CozZa, another of the gang now under arrest was called as a witness for the defense. He left his Water street restaurant about 645 upon the night of February 10. just as Cesare was entering He went to | moving picture theatre and return ed about 10 o'clock
 The trial was still going on at press hour