MURDER TRIAL IN FRANCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2110, 16 January 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

MURDER TRIAL IN FRANCE.

A sensational trial lias just taken place at the Illeet-Vitainc assi/cs. A farmer named Bcaudouin, formerly domiciled at St. Symphorien, was killed in his bed on April 2S, and his wife, who was lying by his side at the time, declared that she had not been awakened by the report of the firearm, lut by the blood which flowed from the body and the smell of his burning nightcap. She could therefore give no information as to the circumstances tinder which the tnurdor had been committed. Suspicion fell on one Brageul, a young nun of bad character, who had been discharged some time before by Beaudouin. In his trial at the August assi/es, Brageul confessed his guilt, but said that he had acted at the iirstig.ition of Madame Beaudouin, who, indignant at her husband's many flirtations, had promised him (Brageul) 15 francs and also her hand if he would do the deed. A new trial was accordingly ordered, and on Monday Brageul and Madame Beaudouiu appeared side by side in the dock. Brageul declared tbat the woman opened the window to ad.mit him, and then returned to the bed. Resting his gun on her legs in order to give greater precision to his aim, he fired. Death was instantaneous. Madame Beaudouin then got up and going to the cupboard gave him 12 sous, pretending she had no more money. Brageul went on to assert that he had previously had criminal relations with the female prisoner, but this alie stoutly deujed. A horrible realistic effect was given to the proceedings by the judge insisting on Mndame Beaudouin getting into the bloodstained bed, which had been brought into the court, while Biageul, taking a gnji, rested it on her legs in the act of taking aim. Finally, the wonnn was "acquitted," while Brageul was condemned lor hard labour for life. The jury, ren.aiks the correspondent who forwards the facts, thus placed on record the amazing opinion that a man can bo shot dead in his bed while his wife continues to bleep soundly by his side.