SENSATIONAL MURDER TRIAL IN FRANCE

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5284, 21 December 1946, Page 5

SENSATIONAL MURDER TRIAL IN FRANCE

LONDON, Decenxbex* 20. The most sensational Frenclx trial since Dx*. Pctiot's began at the Seixxe Assizes, when Alain De Barnadi Segoyex*, a grandson of a judge, was ehax'ged with the murdex* of his wife, whorn he allegedly strangled in the pxesence of his mistress, says the Daily Telegx*aph's Paris correspondent. Segoyer is also accused of belonging to the Cagoulards, a secret proFascist society, and of obtaining £80,000 by economic collaboration with the Germaxis. Irene Lebeau, aged 23, who is accused of aiding and abetting, gave evidence of how Segoyer jokingly placed a cord round the neck of his beautiful 25-year-old xvife Jeanne as she sat in an armchair. He then walked behind the chair and suddenly polled the cord tight. Segoyer was impx*isoned on collaboration charges when his wife's body was found in a ditch. After Leheau's alleged confession the prosecution accused Segoyer of a long list of ■criixxes and embezzlements, for which he served prison terrns throughout Europe. Segoyex* stood haughtily smoothing his flowing xxxoustache and tiny goatee beard. He frequently ixxterrupted the Pi*esident's summing up of his alleged criminal activities. The heax*ing has ben adjourned.