The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-31
THE ANARCHIST BRESCI
CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO I'M
PRiSONMENT FOR LIFE.
GIVEN THE FULL PUNISHMENT
For Murder Under the Italian Law-An
Indictment for Treason Would Have
Carried the Death Penalty-Bresci
Declares His Indifrerence-HeM Makes
Notified of the Sentence.

Milan, August 29.-Bresci, the anar
chist, who. July 29th. shot and kill
ed King Humbert, of Italy, at Mon
Ia, while his majesty was returning
from & gymnastic exhibition. today
was tried, convicted and sentenced TO
Imprisonment for life, the highest SEN
tence for murder under the Italian
law. An immense crowd OF people
gathered about the court from early
morning, seeking admission TO the
courtroom where only a few places
We're reserved for the ticket holding
public.
The hearing began at 9 o'clock. Bresci
sat in the dock, calm and almost in
different. His counsel, Signor Mar
telli, head of the Milan bar, and the
anarchist writer, Signor Merlino, rep
resented him. While the indictment
which was very long, was being read
Bresci was apparently unmoved and
scanned the faces of the audience
without any signs OF fear. The indict-
ment showed the assassin indulged in
incessant target practice and that he
prepared bullets so as 10 render them
more dangerous.
The witnesses were then introduced.
There We're eleven for the prosecution
and five for the defense.
The examination of Bresci followed.
He declared he decided TO kill King
Humbert after the events in Milan,
and Sicily, "to avenge the misery Of
the people and my own, he added: L
acted without advice or accomplices." g."
The prisoner admitted che target
practice and the preparation of bullets
He spoke in a low, firm voice and said
he fired the three shots at three yards
with his revolver. Two wooden targets
the judges.
The public prosecutor made a
speech during the course of which he
eulogiZed the virtues of King Humbert
and recapitulated the story of the as
sassination, which, he contended,
demonstrated that Bresci was fully re-
sponsible for his acts and that the lat
| ter premeditated the crime and had ac-
completes. After denouncing the an
archist theories which brought about
such fearful crimes, the puuiic prose
| cutor denied that Bresci had misery as
an excuse, also asserting that he was
| not man of impuleS or fanatic, but
| had calm, cynical and obstinate mind
| and that his aim was Infamous. In
| conclusion, the public prosecutor asked
| for verdict of guilty without extenu-
| ating circumstances.
Signor Melino said that he only
| wished to do his duty, and defended
| anarchy from the charge that it had
| inspired the crime. All parties, be de-
| clared, had their regicides, cOmmenc-
| ing with Judas. He asked that those
| in whose hands the prisoners fate lay
| would not act in a spirit of vengeance
| but of justice. He claimed exten-
| uating circumstances for the accused
| man.
| Signor Martelli asked that the yer
| dict be tempered with Indulgence to-
| wards an irresponsible man condemn
| ed Of a crime committed in a state OF
| exaltation He spoke Of Brescrs pre-
vious good conduct and implored pity
| for the guilty man.
| Bresci was given an opportunity &c
| speak and said: Sentence me. l an
Indifferent. I await the next revolu'
| ton" The persons who were to de-
liberate on the verdict then retired.
| Bresci escaped with life imprison-
| ment, as that is the most severe pen
| atty which can be imposed upder the
| laws Of Italy for murder, on which
| charge the anarchist was tried. 1t wa:
| at FIRST believed Bresci would be tried
| on the charge of treason, in which case
| the penalty would have been death.
| New York, August 29.-The news
that her husband had peen sentenced
to life imprisonment for killing kine
| Humbert, Of Italy, was carried to Mrs
Bresci at her home in Union Hill, n
| J. When told Of the sentence she wep'
/ bitterly. When she calmed down she
| said:
| MY poor Paetano! He has beer
| tried, convicted and sentenced in ont
| day. That was injustice. I would
| rather see him dead than have him gc
| to prison for life. I know he will no
be able to stand long the life he vii
| have to lead in prison."