The Piazza was often troubled by extremely different events, since here (and exactly in the Piazzetta between the columns of Mark and Theodore) capital execution took place.
Sometimes the same Doge attended the event in order to witness the meaning of public punishment for treason, peculation or heinous crimes.
The administration of justice was generally a quick affair: once the accused was imprisoned in the Palace dungeons, a hasty trial ensued and, as the case required, the use of torture.
The death sentence was carried out a few days later: in the Piazzetta by beheading or hanging. Occasionally, for crimes of peculation or treason, a hand was cut off. After death, the body might have been quartered and the poor remains left for days in the same place, as a warning.
So in 1432 Carmagnola, the General of the Republic was put to death for treason and in 1435 Marsilio da Padova was accused of trying to re-conquer the city, which was already ruled by this family.
But capital execution was also extended to nobles, in the case of Andrea Contarini who had wounded Doge Gritti.
Some nobles, accused of treason, were beheaded between the two red columns of the Ducal Palace’s colonnade, from which the Doge usually looked out. Capital executions were quite frequent: between 1500 and 1600 these numbered over a hundred and the charges, besides murder, were rebellion, tax fraud, sexual crimes and abuse; there were many death sentences for sodomy.
There was enormous public participation, above all, for the most notorious bloody deeds, often observed from aboard boats moored in the Basin. .