THE CAMORRA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15558, 7 March 1911, Page 7

THE CAMORRA.

A SENSATIONAL MURDER TRIAL

United Press Association—3v Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received March 7, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 6

Renter’s correspondent at \ iterbo, Italy, tells an amazing story regarding the Cuocolo murder, based on the evidence of 450 witnesses. Cuocolo married a beauty of bad character. The pair had the reputation of being organisers of thefts on behalf of the Cnmorra, also occasionally acting as police spies. Cuocolo aroused tho enmity of Cnraeo Alfani, who as a lad of twenty reorganised tho Neapolitan Cnmorra until ho controlled the horso market, bands of smugglers, public sales and dock employees. Alfani nursed his revenge for several years. Ho finally engaged, six desperadoes to murder Cuocolo and also mutilate his wife with an “ S” cut on the abdomen, indicative of the Carnotra’s supreme contempt. The failure of the police to secure a conviction for the murders aroused the citizens to protest. The Government thereupon appointed Ramorino, a brave and energetic Pirdmontest colonel, to trace all the Camorra’s ramifications. Ramorino gradually traced Alfani’s movements on the night of the murder and discovered his associates. Alfani fled to New York, where Petrosino, who was afterwards murdered, discovered him. Extradition being impossible, Petrosino placed 'Alfani aboard a steamer, and he was arrested at Havre and taken to Italy. Colonel Ramorino secured the whole gang, except one, who fled to Buenos Ayres. It is expected that the trial will last for a vear.

(A message from Rome early in January stated that thirty-eight Camorrists, charged with the murder of Cuocolo and his wife on June 5, 1906, were convoyed from Naples to Viterbo in an armoured train. Armed patrols were stationed along the lino to prevent a rescue.)