Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-15

trial in United States District C
centers on his denial under oath
and-pistol murder of the brawny
major.
Icardl, now "a, was second i'm
command of the Office of Stra-
tegic Services spy mission in
Italy. In 1853 an Italian court
convicted him in absentia of the
Staying. He was sentenced to life
Imprisonment, Italy's maximum
penalty.
But since he cannot be extra
dited to Italy. the sentence is
without effect.
Murder Trial Impossible
The Government cannot try
1cardi for murder, either in a
civil court or before a military
tribunal. Yet, in order to prove
the perjury case, prosecutors in
effect must convince the Jurors
Icardi plotted and stage-man-
aged a chilling murder as hor-
IDLE as anything ever dreamed UP
by a mystery writer. The Gov
eminent contends he hated his
superior officer, wanted the mis-
sion's considerable bankroll, and
wanted Maj. Holohan out of the
way so Icardi could supply arms
to Communist partisans.
Icardi testified voluntarily be-
fore a House Armed Service.
subcommittee in 1858, denying
any part in the killing. Had HI
declined to testify, he would moi
be going to court tomorrow.
But testify he did and the
Government. stymied in effort.
to try him for murder. found a
route to get him into court fol-
perjury.
Indicted on 8 Counts
A Federal grand jury indicted
him on eight counts Of perjury
Two were dismissed. If convicted
Of the remaining six, ne face;
q maximum sentence of year:
on each count.
Army criminal investigators
have exhausted law books
searching for murder tria,
opening. despite the fact the
major was slain in Italy. In that
country. prior to the trial in
abSentia. there was dispute over
whether an Italian court hac
Jurisdiction since Maj. Holohar
was slain in Axis-controlled ter
ritory.
The third principal in the OSS
mission was Sergt. Carl LoDolce
of Rochester. N. Y. He was con-
victed of committing the killing
in the in absentia Italy trial
LoDolce could be called to testify
in this perjury case. He did not
testify before the subcommittee
and there are no charges against
him in this country.
A postwar investigation into
Maj. Holohan's disappearance
was pressed after his body was
recovered from Lake Orto in
1850. The public received little
news about the story at the time
LODOlce, Icardi Accused
More than a year passed and
the Pentagon remained silent
But as Italy moved to bring
Icardi, LoDolce and three Ital-
ians to trial, the Defense Depart
ment finally broke its silence. II
accused Icardi and LoDolce OF
the killing.
The account finally agreed
upon by the Defense Depart
ment, House Committee anc
Italy's prosecutors shames the
imagination Of wild spy novels
It's melodrama borders on the
fantastic, with overtones of bru-
tally and cold blood worthy OF
Jack the Ripper.
The whodunit began Septem-
Der 26. 1914, with a parachute
drop of Maj. Holohan, 1t. Icardi
Sergt. LoDolce and an Italian
partisan. Tuddio Lussi. They
touched down on Mt. Mattarone
more than 100 miles in Axlsland
Qcardi says four other partisans
chuted with them
Allied troops were pounding
northWard and partisans helc
considerable territory. The par.
tisans were of varied politica
hues. The Communist group wa.
a large bloc. All were calling
for airdrops Of arms, equipment
and supplies. Allied leaders hac
to know whether the Red parti.
sans would use them against thu
Germans or stockpile them To-
civil war.
Donovan Picks HOIohan
Maj Holohan, 40. Harvard
educated lawyer. was New
Yorker. sizeable man anC
known for his strength. Anothe