New-York tribune., 1917-06-24
He Attacked, Then Slew
Her When She Re-
sisted Him
Collapses in Court
As He Tells of Crime
Slayer, at First Defiant,
Breaks Down Under
Examination

Cocchl. under arrest Htit 4Vi4V"'''e e "'9
,,5,,tmert in New York for the mur-
DO, Of Ruth Cruger. broke down to-
3.v and confessed that he had muir
5,rsd the girl on February l3 and
spried the body in the cellar under his
bicycle shop.
Until to-day Cocchi had stoutly
maintained his innocence, declaring
that he met the murdered girl only
two davs before she was killed and
that his relations with her were cor
rect in every way. Sh. had gone to
his shop 10 have her skates sharpened,
he said; he had sharpened them for
her and she had left his store. His
return 10 Italy, he had maintained, was
due entirely 20 domestic difficulties.
Cocchi Collapses in Court
To-day. before Judge Zucconi, Coo
chi collapsed and haltingly confessed
his guilt. Under the judges search
ing questioning he finally burst into
tears, and became so agitated that
those near him in the court feared that
he was about TO have an epileptic fit.
Cocchi was taken before Judge Zuc-
eoni this afternoon. In the morning he
begged his jailer 10 arrange that he be
transferred from prison TO the hospital.
He declared he had a high fever and
was rapidly becoming seriously i'll. The
prison doctor could find no symptom of
illness and the request was refused.
Cocehi then asked that the news
papers, all Of which are printing long
accounts Of the murder, be sent 10 him
in his cell This also was refused, as
sgainst the prison rules. The prisoner
is allowed to see no one but his jailer.
Breaks Down in Court
Cocchi maintained his pretence of in
nocence when taken 70 court He re-
Piled calmly 10 questions regarding his
personal history and residence in the
United States. He lost his composure
under the fire Of questions directed to
him by Judge Zucconi, and after vainly
attempting 10 maintain his air of brav-
ado suddenly burst into tears and ad-
mitted his guilt.
He declared he murdered Ruth Cru
ger in a fit Of rage which overcame him
when she resisted his advances. lie
tslterirgly told Of how he had attacked
her in his shop and then had killed her
and buried her body in the cellar be-
meath the shop.
After he had completed his confcs-
sion Cocchi declared that he ielt re-
lievsd of a burden which had weighed
upon his conscience ever since he fed
from New York. He collapsed as he
vas taken back to his cell.
The weapon Of murder, he said, was
steel stool which he picked up and
brougi, down upon her head when he
became frightened at her cries against
bis advances. He said nothing Of any
aecomplices, or, if he did, the authori-
ties have not disclosed that part Of his
confession, probably withholding it for
private transmission 20 the New York
authorities.
To Siinor Venturini. his attorney
Cocch repeated the complete story Of
the crime, this account being identical
With the one he had previously given
the authorities.
Cocchis relatives here are not only
highly respected but own considerable
real estate. They could hardly believe
ths, Cocehi was guilty Of murder, even
after being assured Of his confession.
Attorney Nentur.ni said he hardly
could believe in Cocchi's guilt. lie de-
'e''oed his client as a hard working
man who had been nagged by jealous
wife for years.
ne iniima,ed that his chief line Of
oeienee will be a litter which mem
o'rs Of Cocehi's family received from
MN last fall. u is dated November o.
Tells Of Marital Troubles
J am very sorry 20 have 70 leave
AmeTca, % reads, but ! can no longer
..4pport life with Maria fhis wife). For
his reason J want some member Of the
Ishlly 20 come over here and look
after ny business.
Iht terrible woman takes no in.
'efesi ID my store, but has been send
Ng He,ectyes after me for the last four
f'4i,. 4i ] had peace a. home ] would
De .ne haDpicst man no New York"
hf then spoke Of his clients, who
are among the bcst-knOwn motorcycle
Dtms IN America. and spoke lovingly
hib children. The elder, he said
oiien wept bitterly when mother
naggM father"
zee that Military Class No. IL il
called upon" the letter continues. "sc
have got The idea in my head 70 &,
nome. The scenes Of Jealousy vii
not end Ny business will run dowr
and ruin viii come after ten ycars oi
nsfd work, but cannot live with
Nsria olnger."
EItradition To BE Fought
Attorney Venturini then presenteo
ne court a petition that The crtradi
ton - COcchi be not allowed. Tn
hiinistry of Foreign Affair hae beer
nksd 70 obtain from the United State
ss'sortisg the evidence sgairs
Nceeni. This will be done through o.,
Continued on Pare s