WRANGLE IN FRENCH REGICIDE TRIAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 275, 20 November 1935, Page 7

WRANGLE IN FRENCH REGICIDE TRIAL

COUNSEL EXPELLED. Further Amazing Scenes Witnessed. JUDGES ROUNDLY ABUSED. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, November 19. "Wild legal wrangling twice to-day disturbed the trial of six terrorists accused of complicity in the murder of King Alexander of Yugoslavia and the French Foreign Minister, in Marseilles, on October 10 of last year. The trial is being held at Aix-en-Provence. Three of the accused are being tried in their absence, extradition from Italy having been refused. The judge, the public prosecutor, and counsel for the defence, Maitre Desbons, engaged in a violent harangue, ending in the prosecutor's request for Maitre Desbons' expulsion, not only from the Court but from the Bar. The sitting was suspended, after which it was announced that Maitre Desbons had been duly expelled. ■ Mysterious Letter for Jury. The uproar began when an usher handed the foreman of the jury a large sealed envelope. Maitro Desbons demanded to know its contents. The hearing was suspended, and when it was resumed, the foreman stated that the documents had been destroyed. In the meantime, the Press had discovered that the envelope contained an anonymous letter and an article from a Socialist newspaper in which it was alleged that the Italian Government had financed and protected the terrorists. Maitre Desbons protested that the incident was a manoeuvre to cripple the defence. Maitro Roll, prosecuting, retorted that while he was not saying the letter had originated from Maitre Desbons, he thought the defence counsel was at the back of the move. "The latter replied to this accusation evasively and attacked the methods of the prosecution, whereupon Maitre Roll demanded that Maitre Desbons be struck off the rolls.

The judge, to Maitre Desbons: What have you to say for yourself? Maitre Desbons: You are trying to hinder me in the execution of my duty. You are trying to take my bread away. Had I entered politics instead of law I would have won your respect instead of being trampled upon by you. He shouted at the judges: Whatever you do to me, you and your executioner will not have the heads of these three men! Prisoners Threaten Hunger Strike. The judges retired, and on their, return ruled that Maitre Desbons be suspended from the Bar on the ground of his violent and abusive langua-jy to the magistrate. Maitro Desbons declared he would leave the Court only under an armed escort. He then shook hands with the { three prisoners and left the Court, escorted by soldiers. He wept and gesticulated wildly as he disrobed. ' The president of the Court invited Maitre d'Ead to lead the defence. He accepted, and suggested an adjournment until to-morrow. The prisoners heatedly protested, threatening a hunger strike until Maitre Desbons returned, but the judge adjourned the Court. Precautions against violence by terrorists have been redoubled. At least 2000 soldiers we in the town. Several arrests of persons suspected of being agents of the dreaded Balkan terrorist organisation Oustacha, of which the prisoners have admitted membership, are reported.