Agca Disrupts Trial 2nd Day, Hints He’ll Talk

Mehmet Ali Agca, the state’s star witness in the trial about an alleged plot to kill Pope John Paul II, disrupted the proceedings for the second day today, rambling about being Jesus Christ and then refusing to answer questions.

But he dropped several hints that he might be willing to testify later and Prosecutor Antonio Marini said he was unconcerned by the 27-year-old Turk’s erratic behavior.

“When he (Agca) begins to speak about facts, he is very believable,” Marini told reporters after the judge removed Agca from the witness stand.

Agca, a Turk, was called to testify against three Bulgarians and four Turks charged with conspiracy in the May 13, 1981, shooting of the Pope in St. Peter’s Square. All seven defendants face life sentences.

Early Story Repudiated

Agca is serving a life sentence for shooting the Pope but has repudiated his original story that he acted alone. His testimony at preliminary hearings led to the seven indictments, plus a new charge against Agca of illegally importing into Italy the pistol that he used to shoot the pontiff.

Prosecutors in his first trial four years ago did not know where the gun came from.

Today, the second day of the trial, Agca asked permission from Judge Severino Santiapichi to make a statement, and repeated his Monday claims that he is Jesus Christ and is not crazy.

He added: “In this generation the days are counted. No one--not even the Americans or the Soviets --can save us from this. . . . There will be total destruction.”

He called on the Vatican to “reveal the third mystery of the blessed Virgin of Fatima.” The Vatican has refused to disclose the so-called third secret of Fatima, which some say is a prophecy of another global war or the end of the world.

Santiapichi tried to reason with Agca and make him respond to his questions.

“I cannot respond. I want to continue tomorrow. Today I am awaiting a reply from the Vatican. If the Vatican contradicts me, I cannot do anything. I cannot continue,” he said in slow, clear Italian.