THE CAMORRIST TRIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3190, 8 April 1911, Page 9

THE CAMORRIST TRIAL.

NOTORIOUS FEMALE PRISONER.

FORMER BEAUTY OF NAPLES

ROME, March 24. Of. the female prisoners among the forty hi embers of, t’He Cambrra now undergoing^their trial at Viterbo for the murder of Signor Cuocolo and liis wife, Maria Stenarao is the only one who retains evidence of her earlier beauty. The woman’s home in Naples used to be the resort of men. in high places, equally with desperadoes, and her powerful influence in official circles in the city was a- matter of notoriety. Stenardo denied that she had 'bribed any witnesses to clear herself and the other prisoners. The Carabineers, however, had offered- her 50s for each witness whom she could induce to sign a certain document they had prepared. She emphatically asserted that the charge that Morra and his companions went to her house to wash their bloodstained hands after the commission of the crime, was a piece of manufactured evidence. : According to the police, Ferdinand Dematteo, formerly an athlete, but now a man of advanced years, lured Signor Cuocolo to a lonely spot, where everything had been prepared for his murder. Dematteo, however denied having participated in - the actual commission of the crime. He said that years ago Morra and lie thieved together, and continued to do so until thev quarrelled. Dematteo declared that he would never “work” with him c'gain. “I hate him!” fiercely exclaimed the wicked old man. =1 WILL DIE!” CAMORRIST’S DRAMATIC STATEMENT. - ROME, March 26. Yesterday’s proceedings in the trial of the Camorrists at Viterbo were of a dramatic nature. Abbatemaggio. ,the informerposing as a penitent, said, as he raised his hand above his head: “I am prepared to yield my life as a sacrifice for my crimes.”

His cleverly-told tale has made a deep impression, but the counsel for the defence have tried to discount its value by describing the witness as- an incorrigible. They say that during his childhood he was- in the habit of often striking his motoer, an offence which should awaken contempt- and suspicion in every decent man. The Camorrists under arrest -listened to Abbatemaggio’s story with fine displays of indignation, and declare that when they are allowed to speak they will refute his infamous lies.