“SHE KILLED HERSELF”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 875, 20 January 1930, Page 9

“SHE KILLED HERSELF”

PINET ACQUITTED OF OLIVE BRANSON’S MURDER MYSTERY OF FRENCH VILLA United P . A.—By Telegraph—Copyright PARIS, Saturday. The trial today at Aix-en-Provence of Francois Pinet, formerly manager of the Hotel Monte Carlo at Les Baux, South of France, on a charge of murdering Miss Olive Branson at her villa near that place, ended in a verdict of not guilty. The body of Miss Branson, who was a cousin of Sir George Branson, an English High Court Judge, was found in a tank near a villa where she had lived at Les Baux, in the South of France. The suicide theory was discounted by the discovery of a bullet hole in the girl’s forehead. In cross-examination Pinet declared: “She killed herself. What else can I say?" The old-world courthouse was crowded with people, who apparently were hostile to the accused. In spite of the fact that he had spent nine months in prison awaiting his trial, Pinet was almost a dandy, but evidently anxious.

There were numerous stormy passages between counsel for the prosecution and defence, and these delayed proceedings. Pinet kept a strong hold on himself. He replied to the president’s questions cautiously, and appeared to be satisfied with his ability to dodge the most pointed interrogation by the assertion that Miss Branson committed suicide. Addressing Pinet, the Judge said. “You were the woman’s lover.” Accused bowed his head. “You are also her legal heir," said the Judge. “What have you to say?" “She killed herself,” was the accused’s answer. Three doctors out of four expressed the opinion that it was impossible that deceased committed suicide. The decision of acquittal was cheered by the crowd in the court. Pinet received his acquittal with the calm he had maintained throughout the trial. The defence emphasised that the factors pointing to suicide were Miss Branson’s ruling passions, her love for Pinet, and her love of painting the wild beauty of Baux, which is in a district known as the “Valley of Hell.” On the day of her death Miss Branson had received notification of the Academy’s rejection of one of her paintings, and had had a quarrel with Pinet. Pinet was first connected with Miss Branson’s death when a will was discovered at his house* signed by deceased. This said: “I leave to Pinet the Hotel Monte Carlo at Les Baux. Made and signed by myself.” Investigation revealed the fact that Miss Branson was on the verge of selling the hotel. Therefore Pinet was faced with unemployment.