VENDETTA AT NICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 76, 1 April 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

VENDETTA AT NICE.

A GIRL'S CRIME AND A BROTHER'S

VENGANCE

The wild justice of revenge, otherwise the vendetta, to which southern nations resort, has just been vividly illustrated

in Nice. t In September last a young girl called Elvire Bonassu, or Bonnassi, killed a man named Girando, her lover. Among the Nicois killing does not always mean murder. So that when Elvire came before the jury they were prevailed upon by the eloquence of her advocate to acquit her.

In its way the trial was a cause celebre in Nice, where the 'crime' passional' is unhappily of frequent occurrence.

After her acquittal on Wednesday last, as Bonassu was leaving the court, she was stabbed by a man. He was arrested, arid proved to be the brother of the girl's lover. He is 27. years of age, a married man, with one child. On being questioned he said that "as soon as the verdict was given he bought a knife, and returning to the court,stabbed Elvire Bonassu.

The girl was taken to the hospital, and was found to have received a severe wound. The knil'e entered as far as the handle, but fortunately no vital organ had been touched, and she may live.

The friends of the two brothers knowing this and with the thirst for vengeance strong upon them made a determined attempt to enter the hospital where Bonassu is lying in order to complete the crime.