Alosi to Die at San Quentin for Killing
July 23, 1934
Peter Alosi, 42, convicted slayer of five persons, this Monday was sentenced to hang upon the gallows at San Quentin Prison October 5, when he appeared before Superior Judge H. D. Burroughs in the Lassen County Superior Court.
The pronouncement of the death sentence was mandatory, a jury having found Alosi guilty of murder on five counts without recommending clemency.
The judge ordered Alosi taken to San Quentin within the next ten days by Sheriff James B. Leavitt and the slayer will be closely guarded while in the county jail.
Shouts ‘Show’s Over’
Following the pronouncing of sentence, Alosi arose and faced the crowded courtroom. “The show’s over,” he shouted at those assembled to hear sentence pronounced.
Judge Burroughs then declared a recess and Alosi was returned to his cell in the county jail.
Alosi will die for the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fazio, their children, John and Sarah, and Mrs. Lena Amistani, a friend. The murder was the most brutal in the history of Lassen County and was the result of a grudge between Alosi and Fazio and Alosi’s wife with whom Fazio was alleged to have had illicit relations.
Entering Fazio’s home Alosi stabbed him after a fight and was engaged in cutting up the body when he was surprised by Mrs. Fazio and John who called upon the husband and father.
Kills Four More
Alosi stabbed both to death and then fled from the house, leaving a knife manufactured from a planer blade in the sink.
Going outside he met Sarah Fazio and Mrs. Amistani in a car and told them the two Fazios were in the hospital after a fight. He climbed in the car with both to go to the hospital.
When the car reached a lonely spot by the Fruit Growers Supply Company mill pond, he attempted to stab Sarah Fazio. Mrs. Amistani interfered and he knifed her. Then he chased Sarah down the road, overtaking her and stabbing her to death.
He pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity but he was found guilty and the day following the trial was found sane with time for fixing sentence set for today.
Remains Sullen
Alosi did not seem downcast over the verdict. He was prepared for it and, although a trifle sullen, he made no comment other than that “the show is over.”
He has maintained an attitude that he was right in slaying Fazio who broke up his home and while he did not intend slaying the others, they were in the way and he was forced to kill them.
