BRANSON TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1930, Page 3

BRANSON TRAGEDY

TRIAL OF PI NET. • united Press -Associaoion—By Electric telegraph—Copyngnt). PARIS, Jan. 18. “She killed herself! What else can ] say?” This was tlie reply of Francois Pi net, charged with the murder of Olive Branson, to questions during lii.s cross-examination at the opening of his trial in Aix Lo Provence.. The Olid-world Courthouse was crowded with people apparently hostile .o tiie prisoner, who despite the nine monte;-, no has spent in prison awaiting tri-G, was almost dapper, though evidently anxious. There were numerous stormy passages between tlie prosecution and the deience, which delayed the proceedings. Pi net kept a strong hold on himself, replying to the President’s questions adroitly and appearing sat--1 lied with his ability to dodge the most pointed interrogations by the assertion, “Branson committed suicide.”

“Pinet, you were the woman’s lover,” said the Judge. The prisoner bowed his head. “Also her legal heir! What have you to sav?” demanded the Judge. “She killed herself,”- was the accused’s answer.

Three doctors out of four expressed tlie opinion that it would have been impossible for Olive Branson to have committed suicide.