“ONLY GOD CAN HELP.”

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17222, 4 October 1927, Page 11

“ONLY GOD CAN HELP.”

DRAMATIC ITALIAN’S TEARS. CHARGE OF MURDER. “All I can say is that God gave me strength and power that man should use it to be just and fair, not to abuse his strength to ill-treat and drive a small man as a slave-driver would. Only God can and will' help me." The above is part of a statement said to have been made to the police by Salvatore Scalisi, after he had allegedly shot dead Garmelo Garaci, a fellow worker, at the wood-cutting factory of Cerutti, Spilstead, and Go., St. Peters, on September 3, says a Sydney paper. The statement was produced at the Coroner’s inquest, when Scalisi was committed for trial on a charge of murder.

Dramatic features marked the inquest. At one stage Scalisi, who looked profoundly depressed, wept bitterly. Mr Landar appeared for Scalisi, and Dr. Monticone interpreted. In the statement Scalisi said that he came to Australia to work for his family; he was not particular if he worked in the evening for a few minutes longer.

“I was always asking Caraci to let me work longer; as 1 had a family to keep,” the statement continued, "lie said, “No, you must knock off the same time as me.’

“On the Wednesday night he waited at the top of Foveaux Street. lie caught hold of me, took me to a narrow lane, and struck me on the face and body. He said, ‘Woe to you if you say anything to anybody about this!’ “Afraid of Him.” “I said nothing, as I was afraid of him; he was a very powerful man. On the Friday night we caught a tram together, and on the way Caraci said to me, ‘You are a silly fellow, but 1 will flx you P

“When we got out he said, ‘You are a ridiculous kind of fellow, and I’ll kill you yet!’’ He hit me, and Santangelo caught hold of him. I asked him ‘lf you are really determined to kill me, tell me so?’ He said, ‘Yes, I will kill you! ’ “I did not believe I would kill him; he drove me to it. I am very sorry. “I have my mother and sisters and brother to keep; they are poor farming people, and if they had had enough to eat I would not have come to Australia."

Garmelo Santangelo, woodworker, described the quarrel which occurred between Scalisi and Caraci on the night before the alleged killing.

When witness added that Caraci was always talking to him, but never mentioned overtime. Scalisi leaped to his feet and broke excitedly into Italian. “Why do you hide these things?” he cried. “Don’t you know that many a time the man threatened me, and told me to stop working overtime? Speak, in the name of Godl” "I do not hide anything,” replied Santangelo. Giovanni Cerutti, proprietor of the factory, said that on the morning of September 3 he heard what he thought was the fuse of the mortar blowing off. Then Scalisi walked towards him, handed him a revolver, and said, “Take me to the nearest police station.” He was very excited, and crying. He was always a quick-temp-ered man. To Mr Landar: Caraci was twice the size of Scalisi. Scalisi did not ask for bail.