New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-27
Priest Now Denies
Cocchi Confessed
Killing Ruth Cruger

The Rev. Gaspar Noretto, head of ST.
Rafaers Home for Female Italian I'M
migrants. 10 Charlton Street, testified
Yesterday before District Attorney
Swami regarding his knowledge OF the
history and character Of Alfredo
Cccchl
Father Moretto said he had oficia'ed
al Cocchi's marriage on October Is,
1907. Cocchi then gave his address as
p Johnston Street The priest said ne
had seen the Italian occasionally after
that time. and that about the middle Of
February Cocchi had visited him again
for the purposes of the confessional
The priest denied that Cocchi had
told him anything appertaining to the
murder Of Ruth Cruger, or that he had
supplied the Italian with asylum,
money or material assistance Of any
kind ,
Father Norotto admitted that he had
told a somewhat different story when
visited at the Charlton Street home
on Monday night by assistants of the
District Attorney. 81 did so because
was afraid of trouble from the news
papers he said
District Attorney Swami did not at
tempt 20 question Father Moretto con-
corning the confession OF Cocchl. Inc
priest volunteered the information that
he considered it his duty to conceal in
formation obtained in confession.
District Attorney Swami drew atten-
tior TO Section 1913 of the Code OF civil
Procedure, which reads:
A clergyman or other minister OF
anv religion shall not be allowed TO
disclose a confession made TO him In
his professional character in the
course of discipline enjoined by the
rules or practice Of the religious
body to which he belongs.
Ia a statement last night Mrs. Grace
Humiston. attorney for the Crugei
family. declared that "the entry OF
, Father Moretto into the case brings
matters 20 a crisis and that she had
; retained the Val OFarrell Detective
e. Agency TO assist her in clearing ur
that end Of the mystery
at I o'clock yesterday afternoon
Mrs Humiston said. accompanied by
; Thomas Maxwell. am O'Farrell opera
) tive, went 20 ST. Patrick's Cathedral "a
seek a conference with Cardinal Farley
on this latest development. There
was told thai the Cardinal was in re-
treat i'm Connecticut, and was advised
20 seek Mons guor Mooney or Monsig-
nor Dunn. who could speak for Cardi-
nal Farley.
at $50 Mr.. OFarrell and went TO
s.. Joseph's Seminary az Dunwoodie
and conferred with those prelates. We
talked for an hour about Father Mo
retto and the case in general They
told me many things about him, but of
these | can say nothing az this time.
"Thev were very courteous and kind
l. co.
them that IN the interests Of justice
and for tho sake Of the mothers of New
York they felt that the whole case, in
GLIDING Father Morctto's entry into H.
ought to be cleared up. They have
told me that they would use all their
influence 10 induce the authorities az
Rome 10 bring about tht eXtradition OF
Cocchi 10 this country.
"They feel that only when Cocchi is
brought TO this country and placed or
the witness stand and compelled 20 tel
all he knows about every angle of this
case can it be cleared up.
That's all | can say now. | regard
IL as most important that they have
gone on record as fayoring Cocchi's OK
tradition and have pledged me their
help"
Mrs. Hdmiston had an appointment
with Father Moretto for 1920 O'Clock
yesterday morning She did not keep
il, declaring. 81 am waiting for a more
opportune time 10 talk with Father
Moretto"
Inspector Joseph A. Faurot last nigh
instituted a search Of the mems branch
Of St Rafaels Home. az 6 Watol
Street. where, u was believed Cocchi
may have been sequestered prior 20 his
sailing for italy.