SENSATIONAL TRIAL'

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 60, 20 December 1946, Page 3

SENSATIONAL TRIAL'

GRANDSON OF FRENCH JUDGE (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 19. The most sensational French trial since Dr. Petoit’s began at the Seine Assizes when Alain de Bernadi Segoyer, a grandson of a judge, was charged with the murder of his mistress, says the PariS correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” Segoyer is also accused of belonging to Cagoulard’s secret pro-Fascist Society, and with obtaining £BO,OOO sterling by economic collaboration with the Germans.

Irene Lebeau (23), accused of aiding and gave evidence as to how Segoyer jokingly placed a cord round the neck of his beautiful 25-year-old wife Jeanne, as she sat in an armchair. He then walked behind the armchair and suddenly pulled the cord tight. Segoyer was imprisoned on collaboration charges when his wife’s body was found in a ditch after Lebeau’s confession.

The prosecution accused Segoyer of a long list of crimes and embezzlements, for winch lie served prison terms throughout Europe. Segoyer stood haughtily smoothing a flowing, moustache and tiny goatee beard. He frequently interrupted the president’s summing up of his alleged criminal activities. The hearing was adjourned.