A PARIS TRAGEDY IN HIGH LIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 16, 19 January 1901, Page 3 (Supplement)

A PARIS TRAGEDY IN HIGH LIFE.

Paris society has been shocked by a tragedy •which occurred on November 17. when the Comte de Cornulier, in the Rue de Provence, shot his wife, from whom he had been for some time .separated. The excuse for shooting: the countess' was jealousy. It seems that two years ago the count, an ex-infantry officer, suspecting- his wife, whose maiden name was Genevieve Tineau de Vullay, of being- on terms of intimacy with one of his friends, Instituted proceedings for a judicial separation. Judgment in the case was only lately given, and the custody of the three children was given to the Countess <!>• Cornulier. The count, having learnt that his wife paid frequent visits to a certain M.- Leroux, who formerly practised as a iTollcitor in Normandy, went to the latter's residence in the Rue de Provence on November 17, and found his wife's carriage standing at the door. The count then went up to the first landing: and waited. At about a quarter past two the count heard a door open on the floor above, and also professes to have heard M. Leroux say good-bye to his wife, and then the sound of kissing-. The count, who was carrying a revolver, went up to his wife and fired threo shots at hor as she -was coming- downstairs. One of the bullets struck the countess in the left side, coming out again on the right side; another struck her In the head, and the third In the left hand. When the deed was done the count was the first to render assistance to his victim, and have her taken to a chemist's. The countess expired on her way -to the-hospital. After seeing- that his wife was properly attended to. Count dc Cornulier went to the local Police Commissary of the Chaussee d'Antln, and told him the story of the trag-edy. He manifested the deepest prlef and declared that he had not meant to kill his wife, but only to make a scandal. The Commissary. took the evidence of M. Leroux. who denied that he was the lover of the countess.

On the 20th Count Cornulier was examined by a magistrate in the presence of his counsel, Me. Henri Robert. He persisted in his charges against his wife, but implored the judge not to confront him, according to French criminal law, with the body of his victim. He had so far premeditated his act that he had about him more than 3000 francs for his defeneo and for his board after his arrest. He affirmed that he lost all self-control when he heard the sound of kissing at the door of M. Leroux.