FAMOUS TRIAL SURPRISE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1929, Page 7

FAMOUS TRIAL SURPRISE

WOMAN’S CONFESSION AFTER SEVEN YEARS. PARIS, July 22.

The famous Bessarabo trunk murder case, which created world-wide interest nine years ago, may be reopened as a result of revelations bv one' of the principal figures at tlie trial.

Early in August 1920 the body of a M. Bessarabo was found in a trunk at a Paris railway station. Suspicion fell almost immediately on his wife and her 22 years old daughter by her first marriage, Mile. Paulo Jacques, and after many weeks of examination before a magistrate they wore jointly accused of murder. Their trial before the Seine Assizes onenod on June 8, 1922, and lasted 14 days.

HEARD SHOTS

Tho jury were about to retire to consider their verdict when Mile. Jacques suddenly retracted all the evidence she had given and declared that she had hoard shots in the flat after a quarrel between her mother and M. Bessarabo, and that Rhe had sought to intervene;, but that her mother had previously locked her in her room.

The statement that Mme. Bessarabo had locked her in her bedroom was taken as proof that the killing of M. Bessarabo was premeditated, and resulted in Mme. Bessaraibo being sentenced to 20 years’ penal servitude.

Mile. Jacques was acquitted. She has now come forward with the statement that she lied about the 'locked door to explain why she did not intervene in tho drama and to defend herself against the charge of complicity. Maitro do Moro Giafferi, who defended Mme. Bessarabo, has asked the Minister of Justice to reopen the case on tlie ground that his client was sentenced as a result of statements which her daughter has now withdrawn. i