New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-18


orv r. Buckner; Tax Commissioner
George V. Mullan. present by request
of Mayor Mitchell; Deputy Police Com
missioner Lord. Guy T. Scull, secre-
tary to the Police Commissioner; DIS
trict Attorney Perkins and several OF
his assistants.
On direct examination he said he
had known Rocco Carnivale for twenty
five wears or so, from the time when he
was one of the boys growing up IN
the district On request of his mother,
he went to Police Headquarters be-
cause Carnivale was in trouble at the
time Of the trial Of Gaimar brothers
for the CardIllo murder. An afhdaylt
had been signed by one Joseph Baldo,
charging that ROfrano had advised MN
TO identify the Gaimari boys as the
slavers of Cardillo, who was slain the
same night Michael Gaimari was
stabbed.
u accused Carnivale Of having had
part in the preparation Of the am
davits," Rofrano explained, but he
said he had nothing - do with 1t.
don't care told HIM, whether you
had anything to do with it or not,
am through with you any way. ! have
had enough mud slung at me BY the
Italian papers. Stay away from me
The witness identified twelve checks
offered in evidence by Carnivale's law
yer t, discredit testimony that he paid
Carnivale $50 a week for having Cal
mari killed. He said the checks were
in payment for bar fixtures.
Mr.. Brothers, on cross examination,
mentioned the Baldo incident and
asked Rofrano if he had been annoyed
by the difficulties caused by Carnivale.
Rofrano Annoyed by Publicity.
eyes, was considerably annoyed"
replied the witness. 81 got lot Of
publicity | did not want"
"But you appeared for Carnivale as
counsel when he was accused Of hav-
ing cut your cousin, jim MlnotS'
face"
He said he had not attended the Mon
timagnO trial, and denied that he had
counsel represent him there.
Didn't Emory Buckner and Harold
Deming sit in court as your counsel,
and did you not send them to the DIS
trict Attorneys Office?
"No, sir"
Didn't Mr.. Buckner and Nj. Deming
tell you that your name was mentioned
here, and what was said about you"
ayes, Mr. Buckner did
Rofrano then admitted that he had
consulted Mr.. Buckner a few days be-
fore the jury in the Montimagno trial
had been selected. He was beginning
70 show uneasiness during the cross
examination and became quite excited
when Mr. Brothers asked him whether
he had had any conversation with Mr..
Fctherston about the case within the
last three months,
yes" he answered land II you will
permit me ! will tell you the truth
about it. After the MOntlmagno trial |
told Commissioner Fetherston that /
thought, in interest to myself, ! would
resign. Much Of my time was being
taken up by my interests IN real es-
tate, but because of the attacks made
upon me and my character | W uld not
get out then, but would as soon as
was eNoneratod. The Commissioner
told me that he was anxious for me TO
resign if | could not devote all of my
time TO my duties as deputy Street
Cleaning Commissioner. This was at
my own volition."
as il true, Mr. Rofrano, that you
divide your salary between four men
Witness declared this was nc true,
but admitted that Michael J. Campbell
and a few others were paid weekly by
him for services rendered in his real
estate holdings.
lie denied that he had sent his
mother to the home of Mrs. La Sale,
mother of one of the principal wit
nesses for the prosecution, but ad-
mitted with regret that she went.
Rofrano further admitted that he
went TO the District Attorney TO IN
tercede for Frank Fennimore, held for
carrying a revolver, and asked TO have
him discharged in his own rccognlz-
ance. The boy told me he was inno-
cent. and | believed him." he eX-
planned.
Fennimore later pleaded guilty to the
charge Of carrying concealed weapons.
After he broke his political at'!
tions with Thomas +. Foley, the wit
ness said, Foley sent q message TO MN
through Congressman Riordan threat
ening TO take his sheep KIM away II
he did not stop his political operations.
Mrs Gaimari, wife Of the murdered
man. was led from the court room just
before Rofrano took the witness stand,
She plainly showed the ordeal she had
undergone during the prosecution of
those charged with her husbands
death. She was bordering on collapse
,..L., ,gl.r from the room