BLACKMAILER AND HIS VICTIM.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13456, 29 June 1912, Page 5

BLACKMAILER AND HIS VICTIM.

MURDER OF COUNTESS TRIGONA

ASSASSIN IMPRISONED FOR LIFE

Rome, Juno 27

A sentence of imprisonment for life lias been passed on Baron Vinconzio Pateino, who on March 2nd, 1911, fatally stabbed tho Countess Ginlia Trigona, in his rooms at an hotel in Rome.

The murder of the Countess Tri^ona occurred in an hotel in Rome under circumstances which created a deep sensation last year at Rome, Florence, and Palermo, where both the parties were prominent members of society. It appears that Pateino was in financial straits, and had demanded money from Countess Trigona, a lady-in-waiting on Queen Elena, who refused, and she announced that she was severing her connection with him. She met him by appointment at his hotel,, and he murdered her with a hunting knife, afterwards inflicting serious injuries upon himself. Pateino is described as a gambler and a blackmailer. The Countess was little more than a girl. She was induced to pay Patieno's debts until his extortions developed into a scandal, compelling her retirement from her brilliant position at the Quirinal. The tragedy caused much grief at Court.