ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 14

ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE

YOUNG MILLIONAIRE HELD FOR MURDER SENSATION IN FRANCE On the ev.e of one of the most sensational criminal trials since that of Landru, “the French Bluebeard,’’ Charles Barataud, a young millionaire of Limoges, charged with two murders and suspected of having plotted two more, attempted to commit suicide in his cell. Barataud had procured a small file which he suddenly plunged into his breast while he was cleaning his ceil in company with two other prisoners. He was overpowered, and removed to the prison hospital, where it was stated that, though the file almost grazed his heart, he will be able to stand his trial at the Limoges Assizes. The murders charged against Barataud and the manner in which the prosecution alleges they were done surpass the most bloodthirsty of Grand Guignol plays. Barataud is perhaps the richest man in Limoges, the head of one of the biggest industrial concerns in the region, and is 33 years of age. “I Was Mad” The extraordinary allegations maybe summarised as follow: A number of inhabitants of the town of Argentan saw a motor-car rushing through the night at top speed, leave the road and make for the River Creuze. Before it plunged into the water a frightful scream was heard. The driver jumped from his seat and ran madly away. When the car was hauled out of the water next day it was found to belong to a chauffeur named Faure, who had not been seen since the day before, when he was ordered by telephone to drive a customer for a run of 150 miles. Barataud had been seen talking to the chauffeur just before he left his garage. The young millionaire’s hands were covered with scratches. He was arrested, and after an all-night interrogation he confessed that he had killed the chauffeur and thrown his body down a quarry. "I was mad,” said Barataud, “and I was all alone at the time.” Man Found Shot

To confirm his confession he asked to be taken to his room to get’ certain documents. He was driven home and was allowed to go to his bedroom. Hardly, had he entered than a shot was fired. The police rushed in and found Bertrand Peynet, aged 19, lying dead in a pool of blood with one eye blown out. By his side stood Barataud with a sporting gun in his hand. Peynet had a fountain pen in his hand and on a table was a sheet of paper on which he had written "It is all over between us.” Barataud said that Bertrand and he had decided to commit suicide together. In the room were found securities to the value of £7,200, belonging to Barataud’s father.