ON TRIAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 11 June 1927, Page 5

ON TRIAL

WOULD-BE MURDERER OF MUSSOLINI

ACCUSED COOL AND CALLOUS

STORY OF HIS PREPARATIONS

(By Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association)

ROME, 10th June.; With amazing coolness and callousness. Gino Lucetti faced his trial before a special State defence tribunal. He recounted his preparations for his attempt on Signor Mussolini's life in September. 1926 when he hurled a, bomb at the Dictator. "I first conceived tho idea of killing Mussolini in December, 1925. ! did not communicate my plans to any body because the deed must be accomplished rather than talked about. I preferred a bpnib to any other weapon because it was likely to achieve better results. I intended to use .a pistol if the'bomb failed;" Cynically .he confessed placirtg pojsoned. bullets in tin. revolver for the purpose of making them destructive. The acid used for this pur pose was supplied by a friend living in France. Lucetti repeated that he haji no accomplices, and.carne.expressly smmMarseilles to •commit the deed. Tho hearing- was ■ adjourned. Women we're not admitted into trie Court, following upon Mussolini's complaint against the lecent fashion display at the tiial of Zoulboui, which, he said, introduced an. element too; i?a>* to be permitted in military, proceedings.