The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-05-31 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE MURDERS IN THE NAPLES BARRACKS.  The Naples correspondent of the Standard writes "The trial of the Calabrese soldier Misdea, for the murder of six of his comrades, has been the allabsorbing topic of the week, and is likely to continue to be so for a week longer. The daily arrival of the prison van, strongly guarded, is eagerly watched by large crowds outside the military court in Pizzo Falcone, which affords little room for the public, who, densely packed in a stifling atmosphere, are never' weary of gazing at the murderer. He is confined in an iron cage projecting from the wall, in which however, he appears quite at ease. Misdea is only twentytwo years old, of low stature, with a round face, almost. beardless, low forehead, and sparkling dark eyes. He gave his answers in a clear calm voice, but 12is Calabrian dialect is only imperfectly understood by the larger part of the audience. From the statements of the witnesses, it appears that, soon after the muster-roll had been called on the fatal night, to which llfisdea had responded, remarking 'A. year hence I shall not answer, because I shall be on furlough,' all the soldiers had retired to their respective quarters. Misdea, in company with another soldier, his countryman, Calistria, and the corporal,-Trovati, conversed about their country. A Lombard soldier, Zanolotti, unfortunately mixed in the conversation, I observing, What can you do down in that sunburnt Calabria?' To which the corporal replied, Yes, we are of sunburnt soil; butyou are Piedmontese polentaeaters, or Tuscan chestnut-eaters.' The dispute continued, when the Corporal Roncoroni appeared on the scene and ordered the disputants to be silent, with the remark, 'Here we are all Italians and brothers,' at the same time sending Trovati away. On this Misdea shook Roncoroni, exclaiming, You send Trovati away because he is a Calabrese.' Corporal Codara, coming to Roncoroni's assistance, was threatened by Misdea, who said, I have some fancies in my heal to night; I will give satisfaction to all of you, one by one, for one Calabrese is worth a hundred of your lot.' On this Codara boxed the ears of Misdea, who tried to draw his sword, but being prevented, exclaimed, You have given me a box on the ear, Codara, but to-night I will cut off your head ! ' Misdea was then ordered to prison, but somehow tiv order was not executed. He ran to his roorn, took his gun, cleaned it, took forty-eight cartridges from the pouch, and fired the first shot into a group of six soldiers, of whom one fell, and the light in the room was extinguished by the detonation. Then followed a scene of utter panic among the soldiers, whose cowardice in not confronting and securing the murderer at once made the most painful impression in court. Most of the soldiers barricaded their dormitories; others escaped by the windows; one group of eleven was found by Misdea huddled together in the water closet. He sought for Lombpdese and Piedinontese amongst them, and shot fOur of them sparing Cundari, one of his countrymen. At last, on the appearance of an officer of the Bersaglieri, 'efforts were made to secure the assassin. He was caught by the legs by a trumpeter and Cundari. The regimental surgeon, on examining Misdea, found him wearing his usual expression, although excited, and altogether without signs of drunkenness, only loudly complainin, of his bonds. He was put into a strait waistcoat,. and taken to the Casteldell'ovo. Misdea, hearing that a plea of insanity was to be set up on his behalf, declared that he was neither drunk nor mad, but later he maintained that he had drunk an unusual quantity of rum on the day of the crime. His precedents are bad enough. He has been twice tried for attempted homicide, but acquitted for want of proof; he has undergone several punishments for breach of discipline, and is reputed as being naturally lazy, fond of drink, and illiterate. Misdea asked as a favour to be condemned quickly, and shot by a company of twelve soldiers, picked enemies of the Calabrese."