New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-06-16
Asserts Marine
Urged Varotta
TOPayRansOn
POliccwoman Tesiiiics Ac.
cuscd Slayer Of Child
Said Family Maze Mis-
take in Going To Police
Interested in $500 Offer
Witness Tells How She.
Posing as Relative. Heard
Secrets of kidnapers

Mrs. Rae Nieolstii. the plucky little
policewomAn who lived In tho home o.
Salvatore Varotta after his hvc-year-
old son was kidnapped and murdered
on June 3. 1921. and assisted in the
capture or the kidnapers.. took the
witness stand before judge Talloy in
the Criminal Branch OF tho Supreme
Court yesterday ard told how she
learned tho secrets Of the men who
spirited the child away
In tho prisoners dock sat Antonio
Marine. Of $40 East Thirteenth street.
charged with the murder ~ uiu1oppe.
subsequent % tho KIDNAPPING. HIS trial
was adjourned until to-day. when
Robert Rafsele. whose death sentence
YVES stayed until October. and who
has been brought from Sing Sing IN
the horc that he will tell an he know f.
b. 10 take the stand.
Smartly dressed in q brown suit and
blue. fowcr-trimmcd hat. Mr. Nico-
'etti told OF being assigned 10 The
Narotta case May % of last year. She
posed rs a cousin from Detroit.
Says Marine Watched House
while in the house the following
day my attention was attracted by a
man who lived in house across the
street" she testified "Hc sat in q
window and was gazing intcntly a. the
Narotta homo. lie became partiou-
larly attentive whenever our front door
WAS opened or any one came into the
house ] decided he would bear watch
ing. 50 took W my position behind the
window. Somewhat later he came out
% the street and J row know him a.
Antonio Marine. the defendant m this
case. In a few minutes another man
came along whom recognized as Santo
Cusamano, now waiting trial. They
stopped in front OF a cohblor's shop
across the street and had q long con
versation, at times looking toward
the Narotta home.
Next day Mr. and Mrs. Marine came
tn ask II We had heard anything about
Giuseppe. was in tho kitchen. whore
had gone when ! heard them coming
and had busted myself frying eggs.
remarked that $4,000 was an impossible
amount OF money 20 ask NJ one as poor
as Mr. Varotta. Marine said that
much money Is always needed IN such
cases. He said the family had made
mistake in going to the police.
said had $500 which would Willingly
give 10 bring the boy back. lie seemed
interested in this offer.
Asked About Black Hand Letters
Marine wanted 20 know what had
been done with the Black Hand letters
said Mrs Nicolett. When Mr Narotta
said they had been destroyed she
quoted the defendant AZ saying: well
that's one good thing. anyway"
"In reply 10 my entreaiies 20 help
the Varottas. he said he would 20 out
and speak 70 the gang, as he knew
something about gangs, and would Try
TO get the boy back" Mrs. Nicholetii
continued. "Thcn he told us not 90
worry-thst the boy was being taken
care OF and was playing with other
children.
THE next day wanted 70 communi-
cate with Police Hcadquartcrs, and
left the house with the Narottn baby
10 20 20 telephone on Third Avenue.
saw that Marine and Cusamano were
across the street, as usual As went
toward Third Avenue ! noticed that the
two separated. and Cusamano came
after me. tried 10 lose him. but was
unable 70 do so. Finally gave u up
and returned without telcphoning. lie
followed me- back 10 the house and
again resumed his watch across the
street.
As on other occasions, a man whom
We now know 10 be james Rurgicrc'
also indicted in this case and awaiting
trial. PLAYED on cornct in room
across the street while Marine watched.