CRIMES AND OFFENCES

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15399, 16 July 1914, Page 7

CRIMES AND OFFENCES

ITALIAN MADMAN. KILLS EIGHT PERSONS. Press Association—By Tel.—Copyright. ROME, July 14. Simmons Pianetti, a miller of Brembana, fatally shot eight persons, including a doctor, town clerk, the clerk's daughter, a priest's bedridden mother, a shoemaker, and finally his own brother, who was working in the fielda and tried to disarm Pianetti when he was running amok. The townsfolk barricaded themselves in their houses. Pinetti held up the town for three hours and a half, and finally escaped. Pianetti is a well-known blackmailer who recently compelkd his father to give him £BOO at the point of the revolver. The murders were due to *d desire to revenge himself for recent financial reverses. MYSTERIOUS MURDER. Received 9.30 p.m., July 15th. SYDNEY," July 15. A mysterious tragedy occurred at Mcßean's station., near Yass. A young woman employee. Gertie MeAlister, was found shot dead in the kitchen. Shortly before she was seen attending to her duties. There is no clue. BOMB FACTORY ' SOMEWHERE. "Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services, Press Association—By Tel.—Copyright. PARIS, July 14. Tvro more bombs were found in a waiting room at a suburban station. They were clumsily manufactured. It is obvious that a bomb laboratory exists, but whether for political crime or robbery with terrorism is unknown. THE RUSSLAN MONK'S ASSAILANT ST. PETERSBURG, July 14. Crowds attempted to break into the village" gaol and lynch Rasputin's assailant, who is apparently unsound in both mind and body. Press Association —Ry - Tel.—Copyright. Received 10.15 p.m., July 15th. ST. PETERSBURG, July 15. Guseva is hunger striking. She had been a fanatical follower of the monk. Rasputin was delirious, but an operation brought some relief. The Czar is kept constantly informed of his progress. WOMAN'S SUICIDE. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 15. Florence Spencer, a married "woman, a_ resident of Epsom, and a pat;ent at the Hospital, threw herself from the balcony in full view of othar patients, and fell 20 feet to the eround. She sustained a fracture of the skuli and other bodily injuries which resulted in death in a few minutes. Tho evidence a* the inquest showed that the deceased immediately before the fatality appeared happy, and showed no signs of mental depression. After conversing with a fellow-patient she said she would go for short walk. On returning she had a'frightful mad expression, walked to the balcony and threw herself over.'' The Coroner returned a verdict according to the evidence and added that deceased's action was one- of sudden suicidal impulse, no blame beings attachable to the Hospital authorities. At Palmcrston North a young man named Mason is under remand, charged with placing a plank across the main trunk line on July Bth. He was remanded, and bail was fixed at £IOOO, to make it unobtainable, the police saying accused was not of sound mind, and might repeat the offence. At G.sborno two men were charged with burglary and theft of £I6OO worth of jeweller's stock on Jan. 12th. One, named Marsh, pleaded guilty to receiving a_ watch found in Lis possession, knowing it to have been stolen. Marsh said the other prisoner, Johnston, took him to an empty house, and pulled from under it a bag filled with jowellery; he took out a watch and Johnston also took some, and put the bag back. Johnston said another man committed the burglary, but did not say who it was. That was all that ho (Marsh) knew about it. Johnston stated, that a man showed him the "swag" under the house, and asked him to help to shift it, which he agreed to do. He afterwards went to the place with Marsh and took some things, about £3O worth. Ho did not take part in the burglary, but pleaded guilty to receiving. Both men were committed for trial for theft, and for sentence for receiving. *