WILD DISORDER

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1933, Page 6

WILD DISORDER

ATTENDS FRENCH COURT CASEINSURANCE; FRAUD CHARGES. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright;.) (Received this day at 12.5 p.m.) PARIS, October 24. , The trial at Aix-en-Provence of the ■Schmidt .sisters, and the lawyer, Georges Sarrett, was .suspended amid scenes of wild disorder. Samrett and Katherine iSchmidt accused, each other of lying. •Shaking his fists,. Sarrett shouted ; “I had a . million in my -poekets, and ’could have disappeared, Instead, I remained. ” iSarrett’s daughter gave evidence, confirming the accusations against her 'father, who buried his face in bis hands. ‘■■ The Schmidt sisters maintained they •acted as the instruments of Saorett. Katharine cried continuously. Eventually, a violent duel between counsel caused an uproar, and suspension. A Paris message on :October 21 stated r A sensational trial is proceeding at Aix-en-Provence, where ,a series of Charges dxnjve .'been alleged against Katherine and Philomeme .Schmidt, two beautiful German sisters, who came to France before the war, and married two Frenchmen who mysteriously disappeared, and against Georges Sarrett, a* saiuve, midclle-aged Italian ihor.n lawyer, of Greek parentage, who has long been domiciled in France. It is - alleged that they, with accomplices, defrauded insurance companies by taking ■ ■policies otn the ,'lives of people who have'disappeared. The three .principals, I allegedly, disposed of the bodies of two of their victims by dissolving them in a bath of sulphuric acid.