CAMORRA TRIAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1188, 25 July 1911, Page 5

CAMORRA TRIAL.

LAWYERS LEAVE THE COURT, PROCEEDINGS MAY HAVE TO BEGIN AFRESH. PRISONERS LIKE MADMEN. By Teleeraph-Prc6s Aieociation-Oonyrißht (Itcc. July 21, 3.5 p.m.) Rome, July 24. Further extraordinary scenes of uproar and violence at tho Camorra trial at Vitcrbo culminated in the thirty-two lawyers who aro defending the prisoners throwing off their gowns and stalking from the Court in a body. This development was duo to Captain Fnbbroni, one of the principal witnesses for tho prosecution, accusing ono of the lawyers, Signor Lyoy, of being himself heavily compromised with tho Camorra. Tho President of tho Court, Cavalicro Bianchi, censured Captain Fnbbroni, and the Court adjourned until Wednesday. There is a possibility that tho trial— which has already occupied four and a half months—will have to bo begun afresh' unless the. lawyers are appeased.

The. excitement in court when Captain Fabhrnni made his charges became intense, and several of the prisoners had to be removed by force from the cage occupied by them in the court.

They wore raving like madmen, and olio collapsed in an epileptic fit.

SIX HUNDRED WITNESSES, i

AN OVERWHELMING TRIAL.

the trial began in (ho Church of San inincosco at Vitorbo, transformed for tho occasion into a Court of Assizes, on March 11. Three hundred and thirty witness**) lor the Siato were offered, and six hundred for the defence. The Court ruled that only 3110 of tho latter should lx> callod. These include a tailor from IjCndon and eight Frenchmen.

lwcnly-four jurymen were chosen, twelve for (he jury proper, and twelve as substitutes in case of the illness or unexpected incapacity of the regular jurors. The prisoners are charged with the assassination of fellow members in tho Calnorra, Gennaro, Cuocolo, and his wifo, Maria Cutinelli Cuocolo, popularly known as "(he beautiful Sorrcirtine." Holiind this charge, however, arc allegations of numberless murders and robberies perpetrated by what is perhaps (he best organised and most desperate criminal society of modern times.

Captain Fabbroni, who is a young and distinguished oflicer, and a Knight of tho Order of the Crown of Italy, was one of the principal officers to investigate tho methods of the Camorra in Naples when it was decided to clean up the city. When tho complaints of the best'part of the population of Nnplcs reached tho Duko d Aosta, commander of the armv in that city, he submitted the case direct to tho King. Tiie two decided that war without quarter should be made upon the scum infesting tho largest Italian town. Colonel Hamorino, commander of tho legion of carabineers in Naples, a bravo and energetic Picdmontewy was celled to Komo and given carta blanche, in order that his men might strike tho Camorra in all its ramifications. From that moment Naples lias breathed more freely.

Captnins Fabbroni nnd Joveno and Marshals Capczznti and Ferris then becamethe heroes of this drama, for it was Intheir efforts that tho nucleus of !ho most audacious Camorrists was broken up, tho leading spirits brought within tho clutches of the law, and the evidence said to be sufficient for their condemnation obtained.

It has since been asserted that, since this work of purification began, the proportion of crimes against property, in Naples has become lower than that of any other European town having a population of more than one-half a million.

. Captain l'abbroni lias already attacked tho lawyers during the course, of his evidence, lie declared that Erriconc, leader. of the Camorrists, had boon tried for complicity in certain cases, and, on one of the lawyers (Signor Bovio) interjecting that Erriconc had been ocquitVd, the Captain replied: "Yes. But tho President of the Court was the brother of th* lawyer who is now defending Erriconc." A terrific tumult followed'this statement—Erricone jumped about in tho cage howling like a hyena. Signor Bovio protested that Neapolitan Judges had boc-ni insulted. Captain Eabbroni retorted: "You forged documents in Paris in- connection with Eapi'6 defence!" The uproar and disorder then rose, to such a pitch that tho Carabineers with difficulty-pre-vented a free fight between, the lawyers and witnesses.