New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-24
SLAYER TRAPPED
IN R0FRANO TRIAL
Montimagno's Story of
Threats Is Denied by
Lawyers Associate

Gaetano Montimsgno, the harmless
looking young guDman brought from
the death house at Sing Sing 20 testify
that Michael A. Rofrano, ex-Deputy
Street Cleaning Commissioner, threat
ened 70 kill him il he didn't murder
Michael Gsimari, Rofrano's political
foe in Tom Foley's district, caused an
other sensation last evening at Ro-
francs trial for murder. He declared
under cross-exam.nation he had told
the same sensational story 20 his coun-
sci, former Assemblyman Cesar 3. F.
Bsrrs, and his associate, Girard Cuoco,
before he was tried and convicted of
numbering Gaimar in May, 1915.
Mr.. Cuoco over the telephone last
night said IL was not true Montimagno
had told him or Mr.. Barra anything
about threats. he said if he were re-
leased from privilege by Montimagno
he would be willing 70 swear 20 that.
The gunmsn's story about being
drugged and actually threatened with
death by Rofrano under the shadow of
Brooklyn Bridge a few minutes before
he shot and killed Gaimari was the
prosecutions surprise for the defence
when Montimagno took the stand last
Tuesday. IL was the climax of the star
witnesses charge that Rofran0 ordered
the killing.
Witness Tells Story Twice
After causing Montimagno to testify
twice that he shot Gaimari because he
was stupefed by drugs, and made 20
understand by Rofrano himself that he
would be killed before nightfsll il he
didn't commit the murder, Martin ".
g. D.
IS asked the witness:
when you were on trial in this same
room for the murder did you tell that
story to the jury"
mo; | did not testify at all, Month
magno replied. excitedly.
Did you tell Cesar Barra, your
counsel. or Mr.. Cuoco, his associate,
about it," He answered that he had.
Are you willing 70 waive the prlvi-
lege of client with attorney and let
you told them"
81 am willing the witness replied.
Mr. Littleton. after adjournment, said
he would call Mr. Barra and Mr.. Cuoco
70 show Montimagno never told them a
word about being drugged and threat
ened, either before or after his trial.
"No power on earth could have kept
Montimagno off The witness stand If he
had such story 70 tell in self-defence
as he now tells here" said Mr. Little
ton.
Reads Sworn Statement
Leading up TO the incident, Mr. Lit
Teton. reading from copy OF sworn
statement by Salvatore Curica, fell
low prisoner of Montimagno in the
West Side prison, tried 20 force the
runman 20 admit he had told Curica
the only way he (MontImagno) could
save himself from the chair was 70
frame Rofrano as the instigator Of the
murder.
Curica was 70 have been a witness
for the prosecution 20 corroborate Mon
timagno He escaped from the House
of Detention several weeks ago, and
while free made an affidavit that every
thing he had told the District Attorney
/ about Rofrano was false. lie was
promptly indicted as ar accomplice.
Montimagno in his testimony. yester'
dag placed Curica in the murder con-
ferences in the home OF Joseph anc
John Brondini, in Brooklyn, month
before Gaimari was shot.
b Didn't you tell Curica all he mad
10 DO was 70 say he went 70 Bondini
/ house with you and Louis Miro "
"Nol" shouted Montimagno.