AN AMAZING CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1921, Page 5

AN AMAZING CASE.

THE FRENCH “BLUEBEARD” SENSATIONAL TRIAL. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 9, 5.5 puzL Paris, Nov. 8. The judge’s interrogation of Landru, '(who is charged with the murder of several women), which is expected to last a week, has commenced. The judge, after recalling the fact that Landru was educated at a Christian Brothers’ school, where he was altar boy for a long time and subsequently sub-deacon, questioned him regarding women. Landru replied that he wanted to buy furniture as a speculation, believing there would be a boom after the destruction during the war. He got in touch with women -by inserting offers of marriage in the papers, and the scheme proved entirely successful. His notebook was that of a good business man, but. the police were obsessed with the idea that he was responsible for the disappearance of all the women who could not be traced. If they had not found the notebook, he said, the police would never have accused him. of committing eleven murders. Mr. Martin Donohoe, the well-known Press correspondent, who was present at the trial, says that throughout the long duel with the judge the prisoner, not only held his own, but occasionally scored heavily. As the hours went by the judge was unable to trap thtf man, and showed signs of temper, while, on the contrary, the vivacity of the prisoner increased. He evidently realised that he was on most dangerous ground, but he continued to fight like an animal at bay. Under the glare of the electric light Landru presented a striking figure, with bald sharp cut and sallow features, a full beard, and eyes hidden by deep lashes. To some he seemed a semi-brute, while others thought him a man who had been severely buffetted in life and had suffered for bis sins.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A sensation was caused in Paris by the arrest of Landru, known as the French “Bluebeard”. It is alleged that he caused the death of numerous women whom he lured to his lair by a strange personal magnetism, afterwards dismembering and secreting the bodies. The victims included many wealthy society women, who went through the form of marriage with Landru and subsequently disappeared in a most mysterious manner.