THREAT FULFILLED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 171, 17 April 1934, Page 9

THREAT FULFILLED

Man’s Suicide in Court

FRENCH FINANCIER

Paris, April 15. “If I am condemned, blood will flow,” said a banker, Henri Rocliette, when three years ago accused of financial frauds. He was found guilty a month ago and sentenced to two yuirs' imprisonment; lie appealed and the Judges yesterday, instead of acquitting him, increased the sentence to three years. Rocliette whipped out a razor and slashed his throat. He was taken io hospital and died. Thus bis blood threat was fulfilled.

'Thirty years ago Rocliette was a waiter on the Riviera. He inherited £2OO and went to Paris. He was soon floating companies and became wealthy, lie was arrested in 1908 on charges concerning bonds and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. He appealed and was released. The newspaper editor M. Calmette accused .M. Caillaux. who was then Premier, of shielding Pochette. A commission found that Caillaux had aided Rocliette. but innocently. Calmette resumed his attacks on Caillaux and his wife. 'Then early in 1914 Madame Caillaux went to Calmette’s office and shot him dead.

RocheHc in the meantime joined the French army ami during the war served as a private. The Stal'd'* oi Limitfd lons erased th" charges, but after the war Rocliette resumed his financial operations and was several times imprlsonctl. It was stated that he defrauded the public of a *olal of £10.009.000. Roelictte’s suicide was followed by the discovery tlrnr his brother, Gaston Rocliette. had also committed suicide by cutting his throat in a suburb of Paris. He left a farewell letter to his wife and children, saying that he was committing suicide Io give them an opportunity of restoring the reputation of their name. Ga<ton was not connected with Henri'S enterprises, but it is believed lie was in financial difficulties.