THE BOMARTINI TRIAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13222, 3 March 1905, Page 5

THE BOMARTINI TRIAL.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. EOME, March 1., (Received March 2, at 9.14 a.m.) Dr Sccchi, when examined, stated that Tullio Murri, the Countess's brother; informed him of his determination to kill the Count, owing to tlio latter's'ill-treat-n'ent of the Countess, and he asked him (Secchi) to procure poison, lie, however, did his utmost to dissuade him. Secchi admitted buying poison, but' it was for purports of his own scientific investigations. ■ Early in October last- the trial began of Counte-.;* Tlieodolinda Murri, her brother, Tullio Murri, and her lover, Professor Sccchi, Dr Pio Nolui, ar.d Rosina' Bonetti, Tullio Mum's mistress, for tlio murder at Tjologna of Count Bonmartini on the night of 28th August, 1902. Tho accused had heen kept in prison over sinco that 'date while the police oallocted evidrncd against them, The trial was expected to last several months, as more than 300 witnesses had to bo examined, while several leading Italian sneciulists had licc.ii asked to appear on one side or tho other. Tlio history of-the Bonmartini-Mnrri case,' as it is called, is of European renown. Count Bonmartini was a rich nobleman of Bologna, Somo years ago ho married Tlieodolinda Murri. The, marriage was not <i happy one, and for sevoral year? the two lived apart. In the beginning of 1902 .a reconciliation was effected, but tile husband's cruelty and immorality immediately restarted tho family troubles. To make matters worse, Linda- had a lover, Dr Secchi, whom she had known befor-e her marriage, and who had as fev scmplcs as her brother or herself. Several attenypt', it is alleged by .the prosecution, were made to poison Bonmartini. but unsuccessfully. Finally it was decided that, hi must lie cot rid of, and plans were laid to kill him in his paliee at Bologna, whither lib was returning from his familv, whom-ho hkl left' at Venice. The murdev was successfully carried through, though in an unneqessirily brutil manner, 17 wounds 1 icing found on the body,