Today is Sunday, November 15th, 2020.

On this day in 1902, Italian anarchist Gennaro Rubino attempted to assassinate King Leopold II of Belgium.

Welcome to Today in True Crime, a Spotify original from Parcast.

Due to the graphic nature of today's crimes, listener discretion is advised.

Extreme caution is advised for listeners under 13. Today we're covering Gennaro Rubino's

failed assassination attempt of King Leopold II of Belgium. Let's go back to the city of Brussels

on the morning of November 15, 1902.

Belgium mourned the late Queen Marie Henriette. While the 66-year-old royal had passed away months prior, her burial was scheduled for

this day, November 15th. Following a tasteful memorial

service at St. Goodul's Cathedral, a royal procession of carriages departed the church and made

its way down Rue Royale. Among the crowd of onlookers was 43-year-old Gennaro Rubino, an Italian anarchist, out for blood.

Initially employed by the Italian embassy to spy on anarchists in London, Gennaro grew sympathetic to the cause.

When his allegiances were discovered, Gennaro was relieved of his duties.

Unfortunately, the anarchists didn't want a double-crossing

spy either, and he was ousted from the group. But Gennaro was resolute in his newfound beliefs.

He longed for an absence of government. In hopes to prove his loyalty to the anarchist cause,

Gennaro set off to Brussels to kill a symbol of the authoritative oppression he despised.

Fortunately for Gennaro, a royal cortege was passing by, which included a prince, princess, and the 67-year-old King of Belgium Leopold II.

It wasn't the first time he had crossed paths with royalty.

Earlier that day, Gennaro had placed himself near the cathedral in hopes to kill the king. But his line of sight was obstructed.

Concerned that he could kill an innocent soldier rather than an oppressive tyrant,

Gennaro rushed down the Rue Royale for a closer shot. He pushed past the masses and

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