Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-02-28
lALlo ARRAIGNED IN COURT
First step In Legal Proceedings that
VIII send Anarchist 20
Death.

DENVER. Feb. N.--The first step in the
legal proceedings, which, II Is believed, will
speedily send Giuseppe Alio to the gallows,
was taken in the West Side court when
Alo was formally arraigned on the charge
Of murder.
Through an interpreter Aiio was asked II
he expected to secure a lawyer TO defend
him and replied that he expected the
italian consul would attend to that. He
was told that this was improbable and
was asked If he did not want the court
to appoint counsel
"If that is the law yes" he replied
Robert II. Widdicombe was then ap-
pointed as counsel for the defense and
Peter Bessie as interpreter for the de-
fense. Alio will plead 60 the charge of
murder Saturday and at that time a date
will be set for his trial. Prior to his ar
the right side of his forehead is huge
Superintendent Sanders.
The prisoner gave his name as Giuseppe
Alio and his age as 50 years. His height
was five feet six and one-fourth inches,
his build medium. his eyes light gray and
his weight 122 pounds.
He declared he was of italian birth and
that his trade ls that of a shoemaker. On
the right side Of his forehead is a huge s,ar,
which he received in falling on the church
steps in trying to make his escape after
shooting Father Leo.
While incarcerated in Jail at Colorado
Springs and prior to his removal from
Denver to that city. Aiio made several
conflicting statements as TO his reasons
for killing Father Leo. When told by the
interpreter. who was with him almost con
stantly. that he would have to sign his
statement he retracted much Of his former
confession and claimed that the killing of
Father Leo was an accident. In his final
signed statement, which will be used at
his trial, Alio declares that he left italy
in 1906, and went to Argentine Republic in
the hope Of bettering his condition.
''In Rosario" he said, Il learned from
friends that 1 was wanted in Italy for
starting a riot against a travelling evange-
list who was preaching the cause of the
Protestant church, all OF which was
brought about by the Catholic priests in
my absence. Fearing to return to my ma
tive land and family, / sailed for New
York, on money furnished by my country
men in Rosario"
Alio said that he had attended services
in st. Elizabeth's church, Denver, since
the last Sunday in January.
as follows:
When the others went forward to re-
ceive the host of communion, I also arose
and went forward.
Finally 1t came my turn to receive the
host The priest placed II in my mouth.
It burned my tongue. l. thinking that he
meant to do me some harm. Immediately
drew my gun, which l concealed in my
trousers, on the right side
Il drew it with my left hand and fired,
not at the priest. but at the object held
in his hand.
Then I turned and ran toward the en-
trance. waving the gun in the air to keep
the people from hurting me. 1 arrived
at the door, when somebody tripped me
and fell on the fioo5 where I was placed
upder arrest
Il carried the revolver because I had
been insulted by some of my countrymen,
who were talking against the Catholic
church and preaching the doctrine of
down with the priests"