CAMORRA TRIAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1131, 19 May 1911, Page 5

CAMORRA TRIAL.

ERRICONE'S BROTHER INNOCENT By Telenanh—Press Aesociation-Oopyrlght Rome, May 17. A sensation was caused at tho trial of Camorristi at Viterbo by Abbatemaggio, the Camorrist who turned King's evidence, suddenly declaring that neither Ibello nor Ciro, Erricone's brother, who died in prison, was connected with tho organisation of tho Cuoccolo murders. The declaration led to a storm of comment among the counsel. Erricono passionately appealed for justice to his dead brother's memory. 'A PASSIONATE APPEAL. (Rec. May 18, 10.35 p.m.) Rome, May 18. Erricone concluded his appeal by kneeling before the Bench at tho marblo altar steps of tlje church in which the trial is taking place, and beseeching tho Crown Prosecutor to quash the indictment and condemn Abbatemaggio. "If his version of my traitorehip wero true," declared Erricone, "instead of giving him four hundred francs hushmoney 1 would plungo ray dagger three hundred times into Abbatcinaggio's vile carrion flesh!" ERRICONE. DEEENDS HIMSELF. In tho Camorra trial on March 31, when the President asked Erricono to leave tho oago and to say all ho desired in his defence, the interest E rew most tense. Erricono returned a complete denial of the accusations and evideuco brought against him. "It'is a myth," ho said, "that I have over been n head of the Camorra. ... neither. a head nor a tail, as I ntsvor was a Camorrist" Erricono admitted that as a youth he was arroganfc, and quarrelsome, even going to excesses. "Hut," ho remarked, "no youtli of my class is otherwise in Naples." Ho declared that ho was ruined first by a. passion for sensationalism aroused by the newspaper "Mattino." "I was then mined by the Carabineers, who made me appear to bo an assassin." Erricono, sobbing, said: "I cannot stand it any longer. I have suffered four years of persecution and martyrdom. I havo constantly before my eyes the sight of my brother dying in prison. I have constantly in my curs his laments when in tho cell next mine. Ho went through tho agony of' death, Signor President', ho was young, handsome, and beautiful as a god, and died innocent." At this outburst Ibollo burst into loud sobs, leaning his head against the bars of the cage. After a short pause Erricone tried to- demolish the evidence of Abbatcniaggio, who, ho said, was a poor young rutin whom ho had helped and employed as a stable-boy. Erricono said ho knew Ibello and I?api, and considered them to be perfect gentlemen. Ho declared that Abbatemaggio in return for his generosity towards him had stolon from him, blackmailed him, and finally tried to ruin, him, Erricone described tho condition of Naples when it was put into the hands of the Carabineers, who terrorised . the people. On his name being mentioned in connection with tho Cuoccolo murder ho consulted a clever lawyer, who said he was sure of being acquitted in tho end, but if arrested'he would have to stop in prison for several years -beftre ho was tried. He thus decided to escape to America.