DEMORALIZED ITALY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 27, 22 April 1892, Page 27

DEMORALIZED ITALY.

Thb sentimental trial of tbe Dakes Francesco and Pietra Notarbar-tola-Villarosa for the murder of Lieutenant Leone, of the artillery hu come to an end after three months' duration, says a correspondent of the New Tord Tribune, writing from Naples, December 22. The power of the Mafia and Camorra, of which the accused men were leaders, has bsen manifested in all its hideous and dangerous aspects, and has led to a practical acquittal of the aristocratic cnlprits. Duke Pietro is again free to return to his palace in Palermo, while his brother has been condemned to the short imprisonment of five years. Tbe sentence of the blacker villain is a slight concession to respect! able public opinion. Italians outside of the secret society believe the dnkes guilty of murder, and denounce in strong terms the unjnst verdict. Italian journals which could not be corrupted by the money offers of tbe criminals' friends mourn in touching words the decay of Italian justice. B*i indeed is the reflection which the trial casts upon I'aliau juries, Italian courts, and Italian law.

The home of the Dnkes of Notarbartola is in Palermo. Although they hsd never been summoned to a court of justice prior to the present trial their reputation has not been above suspicion. The members of the secret police in their native town declare that they have been leaders of the Mafia for years, and have naturally been engaged in the vilest of crimes.

The father of tbe handsome noblemen was long since laid to rest in the vault of his ancestors. But with them still lived Caterioa, their lovely, unmarried sister, who months ago fell in love with a handsome and penniless officer of the artillery, Lieutenant Leone. Having neither rank nor money, the young man was objectionable to the patrician brothers, who looked upon their beautiful sister as a valuable object of exchange. But their tnreats failed to cool the love of the fair Oaterina or dampen the ardor of Leone's courtship. Francesco, with little pretext, finally challenged the officer to a duel. Leone was severely wounded, but the blood drawn in the encounter seemed only to unite more closely the ill-fated lovers.

The spring and summer passed. Caterina often met her hero in secret, and pledged anew her troth and fidelity. The young officer offered to release her from the bonds, but she declared that her happiness depended upon him, and that time must accomplish their union. Early last September the brothers grew desperate. They saw that radical measures must be adopted if they hoped to " save " their sister. Taking an old servant into their confidence, they sent him one evening with a note to Leone, calling him apparently to a conference with OataTina. With the confidence and bravery born of his love he ■nsuspiciously crossed the threshold of the palace. A moment later promenaders along the street heard two pistol shots echo, and the words " Ajuto ! Mi amazzano!"— " Help ! They murder me I" resound in the hallway. Leone had fallen. The brazen noblemen rushed at once to the police station and declared that the '« crazy lieutenant bad committed suicide in their palace because they bad again ref ased to permit his marriage to their sister."

Suspicious circumstances, however, tended to disprove their tale, and the dukes were arrested on the charge of murder. The trial was begun at Palermo. The advocates employed by the dead officer's father, who had sworn to revenge his son, were at first hopeful of a victory. But in the course of tbe trial the witnesses who had testU fied against the prisoners, one after the other began to revoke their testimony and sing the praises of the dukes. The secret societies had begun to exercise their power. An investigation proved that the jurors themselves had been bribed, and that a trial in Palermo was a mockery. The case was transferred to this city,, but the hopes of the plaintiff have been vain ; they escaped the Mafia to fall into the hands of the Camorra, which is still powerfal in this ancient and lovely place.

The result of the trial was evident days ago. Day after day the court-room was crowded with the representatives of the demi-monde and the rougher elements of Naples. Patrician faces, too, were to be seen in the throng. Soldiers were summoned to maintain order, and with difficulty succeeded in their task. Flowers were sent each day to the cells of the aristocratic criminals. Every art was employed to influence the jury. Cuccia, the principal counsel of the defendant, spoke in tones of the melting calamity which had fallen upon the house of Notarbartola. He wept. Toe prisoners wept. The jurors were touched. The reddened eyes of the advocate and the tears of the prisoners were signs of innocence or repentance. Tbe jurors retired to their room and returned in a ehort time with their verdict. A momentary silence ensued while the judge called for the decision. The jurors, caroe the answer, could not believe that Leone had killed' himself in the palace at Palermo ; but they did believe that he bad become engaged in a quarrel with the dukes and thus had met his death I

Seldom has any court room witnessed such scenes as were enacted upon the announcement of the verdict. The representatives of the Camorra were wild with the joy of their triumph. They hollowed and screamed. " Are you not ashamed ?" cried the honest jndge after calling in vain for order. The tnmult increased. "You are

all swindlers and liars," thundered Duke Pietro, looking toward th c judge, jury and State councillors, as be walked to the door, followed by hit demoniacal friends. Thus ended the famous trial, a travesty upon justice. Doke Pietro is free, and few people doubt that five months instead of five years will b« the length of Duke Francesco's imprisonment.