New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-12
SIayer's Story Does Not
State Body Was Uncov-
cred During Search
Upholds the Detectives
James w. Osborne Takes
Charge of Inquiry Which
May Last for Months

tOrney EDWARD swami uPVH WV
confession of the Ruth Cruger murder
made by Alfredo Cocchi. In making
public excerpts from the confession
District Attorney Swami had quoted
Cocchi as saying that police detectives
had searched his cellar while the body
of the eighteen-year-old high school
girl Law in its grave uncovered except
bv a box which Cocchi had placed over
the hole in the cellar floor.
The confession, it was shown, con-
tains no such statement, but, on the
contrary, bears out the police testi-
monv in the inquiry conducted by
Leonard NJ. Wallstein, Commissioner
of Accounts.
II agrees with the testimony of De-
tectives Lagarenne and Dillon to the
effect that the first search of the cellar
was made on the afternoon OF Feoru-
arv Is. Cocchi had filled the grave
with earth and debris as early as the
morning Of February II, he declares
There is no attempt at Police Head
quarters TO minimize the superiiciallty
of the police search in the cellar but
:. is nointed out, sufficient discredlt
ot,acbes TO the facts in the case to
make baseless criticism unnecessary
Part Referred to by Swami
Tho mart of the confession allegedly
"u,;sirterpreted" by District Attorney
swann refers to Cocchi's activities IN
his celia Immediately after the muir
der and on the following day, February
IA. 1t is as follows:
"That day l only put box over open
ing of cavity. At 1 o'clock fnisneo.
Went into shop, where remained until
with intention of working, but al
WAYS half in dream and unable to DO
ANYTHING. That night and day after
didn't eat; didn't sleep for two nights
"On morning Of 14th went to shop
o'clock. going into cellar. Covered
bodv with earth, coal, iron, pieces OIL
motorcvcles. boxes and whatever came
to hand. Then went out to get paper
which already spoke Of disappearance
Parents Of girl came and policeman,
and |. with death in my heart; answered
that didn't know where she had gone
Cocchi's confession continues 20 re-
late how he assumed the name OF LOUIS
LEROY. and after inquiring at the ofhces
of various steamship lines regarding
tho possibility of working his way TO
Europe finally arranged to take passage
on a French steamer, the Manchester,
IL shipped as a workman and sailor
he explains.
tinues. al cannot bear the remorse. |
would like to 20 to the front and be
killed in the first line
Gave Girl Chance for Life
That the murderer gave the Wad-
leigh High School girl chance for her
life if she would agree to keep silence
about his attack on her is indicated IN
his confession. Just before he dealt
Inc three blows with "a heavy round
niece OF wood" which brought death he
declares he said to Ruth Cruger;
"Please don't say anything about this,
as | have a wife and two children
But the girls only response, he says,
was to scream for the police with all
her waning SlItlEAUs feA llib NlaA" Nv
cries would be heard, he attempted TO
smother her-threw her own, and then,
in a frenzy lest her screams should be
heard, struck with the club TO end them.
Expecting TO be discovered and with
terror in my heart" he goes on, 81 took
body, still warm, and threw it into cav
ity left corner cellar Showed head in
first, then pushed body in by legs. Put
on pair OF leather gloves, which after
ward washed with benzine'
Regarding the date of his sailing
from America and arriving in Europe
Cocch seems TO be uncertain. He says
he reached Havre about February 27.
He was not allowed 20 land at Liverpool
when the Manchester touched there, he
says, and then tells somewhat vaguely
Of going from Liverpool to London and
then TO Southampton. Whether this
trip was made on board the Manchester
IS not shown.
AT Liverpool tried TO get ashore by
saying ! was going to Italy to join the
army" he says. 81 went from South
smpton. to Havre Paris and Turin"
District Attorney Swami refused 10
make the Cocchi confession public in
full on the ground that such action
would "nOt be 20 the public's best in
terest' lie also refused TO comment
VI MS dlltEtu MlSlNleIpieldllOU OF
the document, except TO say:
well, the box was there
James ". Osborne in Charge
James W. Osborne was yesterday
sworn in By Judge Mcintyre in General
Sessions as special assistant 20 the
District Attorney 20 conduct the grand
jury investigation Of police work in the
Cruger case and such other cases as
RAY develop thercfrom. This may
mean. 10 IS said, q John Doe hearing.
lasting many months. Justice Golf will
hold an extraordinary term Of the Su-
T~Cmc Court 20 try such cases as may
result from the grand jury's action.
'I'm beginning this minute" Mr.. 0s-
borne said, in reply 20 questions re-
gGrding his plans. NO limitations have
been imposed on me. / will 90 where
ever the trail leads"
Mr.. Osborne began his investigation
oy holding a lengthy conference with
Mrs. Grace HumistOn, who signihe6 her
willingness % give him all the assist
arce she could. Mrs Humiston yester-
gay was a witness before the grand
Jury. She told Of her persistent search
Tor the missing girl and the final dis
cOyery Of her body. Other witnesses
we're Sergeant McCabe, Of the record
room Of Police Headquarters, and
George II. Olney, a lawyer who, as a
representative Of A. ". Brown, a friend
Or the CrUgcr family. cndeayored on
he night Of February - 10 give the
Tolicc notice 81 the girls disappear