French Murder Case.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1922, Page 1

French Murder Case.

.MADAME BESSARAUO SENTENCED

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION

PARIS, June 21

Madame Bessarabo lias been sentenced to 20 years servitude on the charge of murdeiing her husband. A sensation was caused when her daughter declared that her mother killed Bessarabo The mother feigned madness, and denies all knowledge of the crime. The girl’s confession followed a dramatic speech by her Counsel, who over, come by emotion at th close of the oration, collapsed and caused a sensation in. the Court, during which tl.i daughter turned her back on her mother. shielding her faco with her hands. Amid agonised sobs she said:—“l will tell everything. I heard a shot, and ran to tlie door of my bedroom. I found it locked. I shouted 'Mother! Arother!’ Her mother had then replied : “It is nothing. A geyser lias exploded in the bathroom.’ When the door was opened, she saw the body and said to her mother: “You did it.’ Her mother replied: ‘lt was his life or minol’

When Aladamo Bessarabo’* daughter confessed, she described how she was afraid and would not help her mother dispose of the body so they pushed it in a trunk. The trunk would not lock, so they roped it firmly, hired a ear, and sent, it to Nancy. The excitement over the girl’s confession was increased by the mother’s erics of protest though at the end the mother still maintained her innocence. Afadame Bessarabo’s first husband was found dead in 1914 with a bullet in his head. Tlie inquest decided it was a case of suicide.