The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-30
A LIFE TERM FOR BRESCI
Condemned TO Solitude for the First
Seven Years.
Capital Punishment Forbidden by
the Laws OF ItuIy-The Assassin
blc Goodness at the TriaI-McrIino's
Plea in BchnIf OF His Client.

MILAN, Aug. 29.-Bresci, the Anarchist
who assassinated King Humbert at Monza
was today tried. convicted, and sentenced
to Imprisonment for life. The reason the
/ assassin was not sentenced to be executed
is because capital punishment has been
abolished by law in Italy. A life sentence
is the extreme penalty
For seven years Bresci will be kept in
solitary confinement and will then under.
go penal servitude for life.
Bresci was brought to the Palace
Of Justice last night under a strong escort.
His trial began at 8 O'Clock this morning.
Bresci was escorted into the court by
five carbineers. He wore a dark suit, a
high collar, and a red necktie. He was
very pale.
The courtroom was crowded when the
proceedings were begun today. After the
court had declined to sccede to Merlino S
request for postponement the advocate re-
newed his motion on the ground that an
adjournment was necessary to enable him
to summon witnesses from America This
second request was also rejected by the
judges and the examination of Bresci then
proceeded
In low tone the prisoner acknowledged
having killed the King with three re-
volver shots. having devised the crime
after the proclamation of a state OF siege
in Sicily. He denied that the crime lad
been plotted in either Italy or America.
He had practiced marksmanship by shco.-
Ing at targets.
Continuing. the prisoner testified that he
had cut the bullets with a pair of scissors,
inserting dirt into the cuts to render the
wounds more serious.
During his examination, Bresci declared
in loud voice that he was impelied to
kill the King by desire to avenge the
raiseries of the people and that he had
acted without an accomplice.
The cynicism which Bresci displayed on
the stand created profound Impression OF
disgust among the spectators.
Bresci. during his testimony, said that
he fired three shots at the King at dis
tance of between two and three yards.
The weapon was produced In court as
were two wooden targets used by the pris
oner.
Sixteen witnesses were examined, OF
which five were called by the defence.
Brigadier Salvatore detailed the arrest of
Bresci. He found the prisoner in the hands
of mob which was showering blows upon
him.
General Avogadio, who was seated In the
royal carriage, testified that when he asked
the King after the shooting If he was Sc
riously hurt. the King replied: 'Yes,
really believe l am" and that he then ex-
pired.
The witnesses for the defence testified
that although Bresci was poor he bore an
estimable character. Bresci displayed as
tonishing calmness in questioning the wit
nesses.
The attorney generally was very severe
in his arraignment OF the prisoner, and
asked that his punishment be fixed at i'm
prisonment for life at hard labor.
Signor Merlino. for the defence, at
tempted to defend theories of Anarchists
but the president of the court ordered him
to desist. whereupon Signor Merlino
pleaded that the extenuating circumstances
were connected with The crime.
Bresci spoke last, declaring that he was
Indifferent TO his future. not caring
whether he was condemned or not, but,
he declared, he hoped that there, would
soon be revolution in Italy. -
The iury's verdict against him was unan-
imous. a.
Bresci heard the verdict and sentence
unmoyed.