PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Admitted bigamist Giovanni Vigliotto, who named 105 wives Wednesday, rushed from the courtroom in tears after denying he made up a story about his family's death at the hands of Nazis.
Twice Vigliotto's reaction forced a recess while he was questioned on the subject. Minutes earlier his voice rose as he responded to Deputy Maricopa County Attorney Dave Stoller who asked him if he'd told some of his wives that Nazis raped his mother and sister, then killed them and his father.
'I don't want to talk about my family's death in front of an audience, the press or anybody,' Vigliotto said. 'Your asking for the sake of this audience and the press. You can slander me, you can tell lies, you can do anything but don't talk about my family's death.'
Vigliotto's attorney, public defender Richard Steiner, immediately asked for a recess. In chambers, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Rufus Coulter told Vigliotto he must answer the questions or face contempt.
Two of Vigliotto's wives and a fiancee all have testified Vigliotto cried as he told them the story of the deaths.
Earlier Wednesday, Vigliotto said 'I've never denied' marrying many women. He responded 'No' repeatedly when he was asked if he had ever stolen money from his wives.
Vigliotto, 53, said he had not kept a diary, but had tried to remember his wives while in jail.
'I've been locked down since Dec. 28, 1981,' the defendant said. 'I've had a lot of time to think about it.'
Vigliotto prepared the list after testifying Tuesday that he had more than 100 wives, but couldn't remember exactly how many because 'I don't keep score.'
Vigliotto is charged with bigamy and fraud in connection with his Nov. 16, 1981, marriage to Patricia Gardiner, 43, a Mesa, Ariz., real estate agent.
Ms. Gardiner claims Vigliotto swindled her out of about $36,000 in cash and possessions when he abandoned her in a San Diego motel two weeks after their marriage.
Tuesday, Vigliotto said the couple never left Phoenix and Ms. Gardiner knew he was leaving her because things weren't working out. He denied taking any of her things.
On Wednesday, Vigliotto also denied claims by Sharon Clark, Ray, Ind., who testified she tracked down Vigliotto in December 1981 after he married her, then ditched her in Canada, taking $51,000 in antiques and cash.
Vigliotto said Ms. Clark knew he was leaving and that he did not take any of her possessions.
Vigliotto testified earlier that he told Ms. Gardiner he was married before they wed.
'She had asked if I was married and I said, 'Yes, I have four or five wives.' I assume she thought it was in jest or something,' Vigliotto said. He said he repeated that he was married several days later.
'I don't know if she believed me,' he said.
The dark-haired defendant listed 50 of the aliases he has used and said there were others he couldn't recall.
'All the names? I couldn't even remember all the names,' he said when Steiner asked him to write the names for the jury.
Vigliotto said he was born Nikolai Peruskov on April 3, 1929, in Sicily. He said he has traveled the world as a 'trader' and that he did 'contractual' work for the CIA in 1953 and 1954.
