ITALIAN CRIME.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3396, 10 November 1879, Page 3

ITALIAN CRIME.

At the Modttna Assizes on tl'.c 21? h of July, the famous hritjan'.! Pullrinieri, nicknamed " Bisoia," was eomlrnmetl to death. Two other l>ri«a:i<ls, Dozz'\ ami Gralletli, wore sentenced, one (o hnal labor for life, the other to the same punishment for twenty years. Biscia, on hearing his sentence, said that death had no terrors for him, and Dozza sworo he would be a free man befovo 1883. Tho career of Biscia was singular. In 1858 ho was a uia3oa at Medolla, and afterwards was in tho service of a wine seller, but instead of carrying wine to his master's customers he stole and carried away two pigs. In 18G1 ho offered himself as a soldier in tho Modonese army at Bassano. but was refused, and in 1803 he was arrested for stealing linen, and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. On being discharged from prison, he seems lo liave adopted brigandage as a profession, and for years escaped arrest. He seldom shed blood, was popular among the peasants, and was most skilful in disguise*. He frequented fairs, wine shops, and theatres with impunity, and often walked and alo with (he carabineers and police agents in search of him. Latterly he was supposed to have escaped to Switzerland. * In August, 1878, he tried to extort 200)0 francs from tlie Syndic of Medolla, and in November of the same year he, in company with Dozza and Galletli, committed an audacious highway robbery in the neighbourhood of Mimndola. He assaulted, on the Bth of August, 1878, one Cesare Tosatti, and on the 10th of December he murdered his brother, Alfonso Tosatti. On that day both Ccsaro and Alfonso Tosatti were on the road leading from Mirandola to Modena. In the evening, Cesare returning to his house at Mirandola about 130 p.m., though he recognised Biscia passing him in a carriage. Shortly afterwards one Manfredini passed Alfonso Tosatti, and Biseia seated together in a car or dog-cart, but was not acquainted with Biseia. On a suddenly he heard Tosatti crying out " Help ! help ! " and looking buck, saw Tosatti flung from the car to the ground. He went on his way, and was soon overtaken and passed by Biscia, who was now driving alone. Other persons travelling on the same road found Alfonso Tosatti insensible, and on sending for a surgeon ho was found to have boen mortally stabbed in the heart. Alfonso Tosatii was afraid of Biscia, and carried a doublo-barrallcd gun for protection. Biscia, according to his own aceonuf-, stopped the carriage and mounted beside Tosatti. He asked him for money, and the latter sad he had none in his pocket. Biscia then proposed that Tosatti drive him home, and procure him money and food. Tosatti consented, but, when he found so many persons on the road, began k> change his mind, and to plan the arrest of the briaand. Irritated at his conduct of Tosatti, Biscia drew his poignard, a triangular- bladed weapon, stabbed Tosatti, and pitched him out of the carriage. Tho trial of these brigands occupied nearly three weeks.