New-York tribune., 1900-08-30
LIFE SENTENCE FOR BRESCL.
HIGHEST PENALTY OF THE ITALIAN
Law FOR THE SLAYER OF
KING HUMBERT.

Milan Aug. 29.-The trial Of Bresci the Anar-
chist, who July 29 shot and killed King Hum
bert OF Italy. at Monza. while His Majesty was
returning from gymnastic exhibition, opened
here to-day. An immense crowd of people
gathered about the court from early morning
seeking admission to the courtroom, where only
a few places were reserved for the ticket
holding public. The hearing began at o'clock.
Bresci sat in the dock, calm and almost in
different. His counsel. Signor MarteIH. head Of
the Milan bar, and the Anarchist writer, Signor
Merlino. made requests on various grounds for
an adjournment. which were refused. Soldiers
and gendarmes were plentifuly stationed about
the court.
While the indictment, which was very long.
was being read, Bresci apparently un-
moved, and scanned the faces Of the audience
without any signs of fear or efrrontery. The in
dictment showed that the assassin INDUCED in
incessant target practice and that he prepared
bullets TO render them more dangerous.
The witnesses were then introduced. There
were eleven for the prosecution and five for the
defence.
The examination Of Bresci followed He de-
cIared he decided TO kill King Humbert after
the events in Milan and Sicily. ito avenge the
misery OF the people and my own" He added:
Il acted without advice or accomplices."
The prisoner admitted the target practice and
firm voice and said he fred three shots at
three yards with his revolver. Two wooden
targets were here placed on the table before the
Judges
TWO hours suspension Of the court ensued, and
then the witnesses were heard A brtgadier of
gendarmes, Salvatore recapitulated the story
Of the assassination of the King. He said he
saved Bresci from the crowd. who nearly
lynched the assassin. who was covered with
blood
General Avogadro des Contes di Quinto, the
Kings atde-de-camp who with His Maj
esty when the latter was killed. recounted how
the King was shot saying that in answer TO
question of the witness after the crime His
Majesty replied:
'I truly think'-- The King stopped in
the middle OF the sentence. said Yes and
then expired.
The testimony Of the witnesses Galinbert and
Oliviers did not adduce any new facts.
The royal groom, Lupi, deposed how ne seized
Bresci by the throat. and a witness named
Ramella, who lodged with Bresci and friend
three days prior to the crime. said the prisoner
was always perfectly calm. The remainder Of
the witnesses did not throw any further light on
the tragedy.
The Public Prosecutor made a speech in the
course Of which he eulogized the virtues Of
King Humbert and recapitulated the story Of
s1rated that Bresci was fully responsible for
his acts and that the latter premeditated the
crime and had accomplices- After denouncing
the Anarchist theories which brought about such
fearful crimes the Public Prosecutor denied
that Bresci had misery as an excuse, also as
serring that he was not man Of impulse or
fanatic but had a calm cynical and obstinate
mind and that his aim infamous In con-
clt1siou the Public Prosecutor asked for YER
dict Of gutfry without exeeuuating circumstances
Signor MerIino said that he only wished 10
do his duty and defended anarchy on the
charge that II had inspired the crime. All par
ties he declared, had their regtcides, beginning
with Judith He asked that those in whose
hands the prisoners fate lay would not act IN
spirit Of vengeance, but Of Justice. He claimed
exteuuating circumstances for the accused man
Signor Martel asked that the verdict be tenn
pered with indulgence toward an irresponsible
man condemned Of q crime committed IN a
state of exaltation. He spoke Of BrescIs pre-
vious good conduct and imploreo pity Tor the
To Bresci was given opportunity to speak.
He said: ,,. ,. -,
Rresct was pronounced guilty and was SEN
senced 70 Imprisonment for life.
Bresci escaped with life imprisonment as that
nenaltv is the most severe which can De IN
nosed under the laws of Italy for murder, on whch
charge the Anarchist was tried It was at hrst
believed T7resci would be tried the charge OF
death.