The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-03-17
ALTO ATTEMPTS.
TO GET AWAY
CONDEMNED MURDERER sLAsHEs
ATTENDANT WITH RAZOR.
NE IS OyERPOMERED
1t Il Thought That His Former Com
panion Furnished Him With the
Weapon He used-A!io Viii Now
Be Placed Where He Can't Get Out.

Denver, March 14.-An attempt was
made about $3.50 O'Clock today by Gui,l
scope Alto, the condemned murderer
OF Father Leo, to escape from the
county Jail, where he has been under
guard day and night.
He made use OF q razor blade, with
which he slashed the neck OF q.
''trusty" who was cleaning his cell,
and then made q rush to get away.
The trusty, despite his cut, rushed
after him and pinioned him. and he.
was quickly overpowered with the
help OF Deputy Warden Carpon.
When returned to Jail, after his
conviction on Thursday, Alto was
stripped Of everything and q complete
new outfit was given him except his
sox, which were turned inside out, .ex-
amtned and returned to him.
Placed In Cell.
He was then placed in the cell for
the condemned, which had been thor.
oughly swept and cleaned and sup
piled with new bedding. This cell had
been occupied by an Italian named
Brunetti, who accompanied Alto to.
Denver from New York and who has
been held since the assassination Of
Father Leo as q suspect and possible
witness. After Altos conviction Bru.
netu was removed to another part Of
the Jail and the cell he had occupied
was then made ready for the con-
demned man. Brunette was released
from jail last night, and as he passed
Altos cell he spoke to the condemned
man in Italian. It is surmised that
Brunettt may have left the razor con-
cealed in the bowl Of the water closet
in the cell and told Alio where to look
for 1t when he passed out last night.
The "trusty" has q wound two and q
halt inches long on his neck, but az
the jugular vein is not severed he will
recover. Y
Brunette DiscIaims.
Michele Brunetti, who is suspected
OF having left the razor where 1t was
found by Alio, when interviewed this
afternoon denied positively that he
had done 81 or that he had any knowl-
edge as to how Alto obtained the
weapon. Sheriff Alexander Nesbet
AID the police, however, are convinced
by that incident that the murderer Of
the priest has accomplices or confed-
crates who are determined to save
his life II possible, and that they be-
long to an organization.
Baron Tosti, the Italian consul, said
today that Altos hopeless attempt to
escape from Jail confirms his belief
that the man is insane. He added:
II have no intention Of appealing
to the Italian government or Of trying
to make this an international affair.
It is purely q local matter. Alto is
here, his deed was committed in this
country, and he must be dealt with
under the laws Of Colorado. / have
formed no plan for attempting to Sc
cure his release, even though I am
convinced that he should be In an
asylum. In fact, / do not know how
anything can be DONE"
Attorney Widdecombe, who under
took the defense of the assassin un-
der the courts orders, said this after
noon:
II was not in the least surprised
when l heard this morning that Alto
had attempted to murder a guard at
the county Jail In an attempt to es-
cape.
II have always regarded the pris-
oner as q dangerous man and even
while / defended him / had no belief
that he raj insane. 1 have always re-
garded him as a desperate who would
not hesitate to carry out his ideas"