TERRORISM OF MAFIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20137, 24 December 1928, Page 9

TERRORISM OF MAFIA.

KIDNAPPING CHARGES. TEN WITNESSES DISAPPEAR.; THREAT SENT TO JUDGE. ' 'Received December 23. 5.3 p.m.) United Service. CHICAGO, Dec. 22, The terrorism of the Mafia, the Italian secret society, which is aimed at the obstruction of justice, yesterday descended on about 10 persons who were to he witnesses for the S.ifato in a kidnapping case. They have disappeared. Tt> is supposed that they have either been driven to cover by the fear of vengeance, or have been kidnapped. Lieutenant Paul Riccio reported to the assistant State attorney, Mr. Hoffman, that the 10 witnesses had been subpoenaed to give evidence concerning the extortion practices of Angelo Petitti, who with Andrew and Tony Cappailano, have been placet) on trial before Judge Gentzel on charges of kidnapping a man named Billy Ranieri. Incidentally, Judge Gentzel has received a letter threatening him with death. He showed little concern over the threat. He handed the letter to Mr. Hoffman, with the remark that it should be filed for possible use. He then mounted the bench to continue the case. Mike Dcvito, whom Petitti yesterday told the Court bailiff would bo the next one to be killed, explained from the witness box, after the jury was chosen, why Italians who got unsigned Black Hand letters always went to Petitti. " Everybody down there knows that Petitti is head of the gang," Devito said, when asked in cross-examination why he had gone to Petitti, after he had received four letters demanding money and threatening the bombing of bis home and the kidnapping of his children and his own murder, if be did not comply.