The Penn's Grove record., 1919-03-21
Italian Criminal Band
Startling Revelations Made At A
Trial In Wilmington

In the General Sessions Court IN
Wilmington last Friday a case was
heard which involves Penns Grove in
a sensational manner. 1t was shown by
sworn testimony that an organization
exists in Penns Grove among a certain
class of Italians for the purpose of
murder and robbery.
In January last Louis Pasqualla
who lived in Penns Grove, was arrested
and sent to the Salem Jail charged
with being implicated in the murder
of Tony Quartelo in the freight yards
in Wilmington. later he vas removed
to Wilmington upon requisition papers
for trial.
Others implicated were Nazzareno
Falconi, Alfred Rossi, Raftles Anna
tino. The specific charge against them
is conspiracy to rob Tony Quartllo,
who was kllled in a feud at 4th and
Pine streets early in January. talconl
has already been tried on charges
growing out of the murder and has 40
years penal servitude ahead of him.
This ease is unique in local police
circles and some startling disclosures
involve an Italian Society at Penns
Grove, similar to the "Black Hand"
alleged to be responsible for the death
of Quartelo, and is believed to be the
cause of much lawlessness about the
Carney's Point plant of the dupont
Powder Company.
Attorney General Reinhardt, who
conducted the prosecution, explained
the State S story. he said that an a.
greement was entered into at Penns
Grove, where there was a society of
Italians formed for the purpose of
ascertaining the names of other Ital-
ians who had large sums of money and
to obtain this money by various
means.
He said the State would show that
the four defendants were members OF
this society and that Raffles Anna
tino was the "stool pigeon who was
to find Italians who intended going
to Italy and to become intimate with
them. Mr.. Reinhardt said Arnatino
learned that Tony Quartelo and And
rev Rosseli had large sums of money
and were planning to go back to Italy.
He accordingly became intimate with
them and was to accompany them
to New York, where they were to have
a good time.
Arnatio. Rosseli and Quartilo, the
latter who was killed, left Penns Grove
in one party, on December 81, while
Falconi, Rossi and Pasqualla formed
another group, which came to this city
on the same boat.
Mr.. Reinhardt said the State would
show the men then started for the rail
road station and that while under the
bridge, at Third and Railroad, the first
.1.1 %@-N@ 0~1 flN rnanaI xyho
were following, also stopped. The first
continued and the second followed. In
a few minutes a shot was heard and
men ere seen running.
Mr.. Reinhardt introduced the States
first witness, Walter E. Parker, a rail
road company employee, who told of
observing the two groups stop
under the bridge. He became SUSPECT
Gus of their actions and watched them
as they proceeded and continued be-
hind the box cars. He soon heard a
shot and a man scream and groan.
The officer observed the groups to be-
gin running. AS he started after Fall
conf, the latter turned around and fir
ed at him, wounding him in the leg.
John Harkins, a brakeman, employ
ed by the railroad company, was an
other person near the scene. Harkins
was shot by Falconi also, the shot en-
tering his body above the breast.
Alfred Rossi, who admits killing
Quartet, but says it was accidental,
was the first prisoner to testify.
He made a clean breast of everything
furnishing all the information he could
supply. He related in detail the story
as it was outlined by the State. In his
story he told of the society at Penns
Grove which required the payment of
SO dollars for membership. He told of
a meeting when the members stood in
the form of a wheel with knives and
revolvers in the center and at which
all plans were made.
He dramatically told of when he jab-
bed the revolver toward Quartelo and
it going off accidentally and killing
Quartelo. He told of having received
the signal from Arratino and of the
three men in the real rushing up and
attacking Quartelo and Rosselli and
the murder which soor followed.
Falconi, a co-defendant, then testi-
fled up to the point where the shoot
ing occurred, corroborating the testi-
mony of Rossi.
Sergeant of Detectives Green testi-
fled to his investigating the case. He
described the meeting of the society.
The fifteen members forming the cir
Gle with fifteen knives and fifteen re-
volvers in the centre with the men
dressed in dark coats and black wells,
formed the main picture. The leader
was dressed in a light coat and red
veil. The leader, addressing the mem
bers, said, pointing to the weapons,
"These do not speak but do deeds"
This was the threat used to intimidate.
ETY..
Detective Mahony corroborated the
testimony of Detective Sergeant
Green.
Detective Green in his testimony
also stated that Raffles Arantino had
denied everything connected with the
case and has in every way hindered the
prosecution. He even denied knowing
the other persons connected with the
case.