The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-31
TORCRA'S STORY
IS AGAIN TOLD
BEFORE A JURY
Was Placed On Stand AS a
Witness Against Angelo
Montgese.
'G0NTRADIGTS HIMSELF
SAYS DEFENDANT WAS PRESENT
WHEN He WAS INITIATED
INTO SOCIETY.

John Torcha, who escaped punish
ment for his part in the double mur-
der at Kilarm last Christmas eve by
turning states evidence was the first
witness called this morning against
Angelo Montgese. an aged Italian, on
trial for being present at meeting of
the Famiglia vaSabonda when Torcha
was initiated.
Montgese is accused OF q felony,
punishable by maximum of 10 years
IN the penitentary, It being alleged
that he is member OF the society
which received $9.16 from Torcha as
an initiation fee for the second de-
gree.
Although Torcha, who is a shrewd,
keen-eyed Italian or middle age, par
ried with considerable skill the ques-
tions asked In cross-examination by
Attorney q. F. Morgan, he contradic-
ted himself in number OF particu-
an impression on the jury as at pre-
vicus trials In which the state has
used him as q witness.
That Torcha Is a real "vagabonda"
is shown by the admissions from him,
secured by Attorney Morgan to the
effect that since he came to the United
States from Italy he has changed his
residence more than a dozen times,
living in turn at CASTOR, Enterprise
Elkfns, CASTOR, Masontown, Browns
vile, Morgantown, Rock:Srd, Cheat
Haven, Haywood and Kilarm.
The story told by Torcha under di-
rect examination was similar to that
which he told during the trial of
Samuel Palma and again during the
trial of Samuel Greece. Under cross
sxamination, however, Torchas ans
az
he took refuge in evaSions when
pressed by Attorney Morgan, to ex-
plain differences Between the story
he told on the witness stand today
and the stories he told when Samuel
Palma was being. tried for murder
and when Samuel Greece was being
tried for conspiracy.
Torcha testified! that he was adj
mitted to the second degree in the
Famigiia vagabonda for S916, grsat-
~ reduced rate. Attorney Morgan
then asked him what the regular price
was and Torcha replied that the regu-
lar price was $27.50. Attorney Nor
gan then called the attention of the
witness to preceding testimony in
which Torcha had said the regular
price of initiation was $25 and to an-
other time when he had said it was
$50. After much sQuirming in the
witness chair and much evasion,
Torcha finally decided that $3.50 was
the regular price.
When Attorney Morgan asked Tor
cha IL he had not been promised his
freedom and money to pay for trans
portation to Italy IL he would testify
Tusca Morris fnterposed hasty OBJ
lection, declaring that the question
should be so worded as to Indicate
whethersthe immunity had been prom
ised Torcha before or after he had
turned states evidence.
After some argument the objection
was Withdrawn and Torcha answered
at first denying that he had received
any promise either of money or i'm
munity for his evidence. After
number Of questions Torcha, however,
admitted that he had received a prom
fse that he and his family would be
sent to Italy as soon as his work as
q witness for the state had been COM
pIeted.
IN his testimony Torcha declared
positively that he had never known
Montges, the defendant. to take a
dollar from anyone that did not be-
long to him; that Montgese had never
helped take any money from anyone;
and that Montges had never received
penny OF the S9.16, the initiation fee.
which the state is trying to prove that
MOntgeSe neiped extort from Torcha.
Torcha said that Montges did not
carry q knife or any other weapon at
the initiation. Torcha declared that
5 at the limitations into the Famigila
yagabonda, the candidates were told
that the object OF the society was to
care for sick members and to aid mem
bers in Jail to secure fair treatment.
The witness said that no oaths were
required OF the members at initia-
fr~srd aftt q Nf
the organization asked
An interesting feature OF the evil
dence given by Torcha under direct
examination was the names which
the Italians apply to different wea-
pons.
geo f100 Will Ra Snant