CONDEMNED IN INNOCENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 88, 20 February 1879, Page 2

CONDEMNED IN INNOCENCE.

A petition has just been placed in the bureau of the French Chamber of Deputies by M. Varambon, member for the Rhone, who assumes to himself tho championship of a family named Dussvel, which has suffered irreparable wrong through an almost forgotten judicial error. The head of the family, an innkeeper at St. Symphorien-sur-Coise, was accused of, and condemned for, assassination thirtyseven years ago. In accordance with the jury's verdict, which found him guilty with extenuating circumstances, Dussvel was sentenced only to fifteen years at tho hulks, but, his sojourn at the "bagne" accomplished, was to be kept under the surveillanco of the police. The firm protestations of imioconco the alleged assassin uttered availed him nothing in tho face of the evidence against him, and tho unhappy victim of legal error become a 'forcat,' returning to' his native land when he quitted the galleys, to find himself scouted by society, an outcast, refused tho means of gaining honestly the daily bread of himself andfamily, andreduced inconsetpience totheneccssityofbeggingorvagabondising. In 1871 thorealauthorofthecrimeimputed' to Dussvel confessed his guilt upon his death-bed, andthc wronged man'scharacter was tardily cleared. Ho has since died. His heirs now claim from the State one hundred and sixty thousand francs damages for the material loss the absence of their father caused them, and as compensation for the' disgrace the unjust condemnation brought upon the family. That victims of the law's error merit the hearty sympathy and pity of society for the unintentional wrong done them is unquestionable, but it is equally certain that the French Government will be compelled to turn a deaf ear to the present petitioner in the matter of pecuniary compensation. Were they to do otherwise a precedent would be established which would cost the State dear.