WILD COURT SCENE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 123, 20 November 1935, Page 11

WILD COURT SCENE

TERRORISTS' TRIAL

COUNSEL FOR DEFENCE DISBARRED

ABUSIVE LANGUAGE

United Tress Association—'By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. '(Received November 20, 9 a.m.) AIX EN PROVENCE, Nov. 19. Further wild legal wrangling twice disturbed the trial of the terrorists who are charged with complicity in the assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia and M. Louis Barthou. The Judge, the Public Prosecutor, and counsel for the defence, Maitre Desbons, engaged in a violent harangue which ended in a request by the prosecutor for the expulsion of Maitre Desbons not only from the court but from the Bar. The sitting was suspended, and it was subsequently announced that Maitre Desbons had been expelled as suggested. MYSTERIOUS ENVELOPE. The series of scenes culminating in the expulsion of Maitre Desbons amid uproar began when the usher handed the foreman of the jury a large sealed envelope. Maitre Desbons demanded to know the contents, and the hearing was suspended. When it was resumed the foreman declared 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. Maitre Roll, who is prosecuting, retorted that while he did not say that the letter originated from Maitre Desbons, he thought counsel for the defence was at the back of it. Maitre Desbons replied, that the accusation evasively 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 replied: "You are trying to hinder me in the execution of my duty and 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." The Judge retired, and when he returned he ruled that Maitre Desbons should be disbarred on the ground of violent and abusive language to the ■Magistrate. Maitre Desbons declared that he would only leave the court under an armed escort. Then he shook hands with the three prisoners and left the court escorted by soldiers. He wept and gesticulated wildly as he was disrobed. The President invited Maitre Dead to lead the defence, and he accepted, and suggested an adjournment until tomorrow. The prisoners heatedly protested, threatening to hunger-strike until Maitre Desbons returned to the court, but the Judge adjourned the Court. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST VIOLENCE. The precautions against terrorist violence have been redoubled. At least 2000 ' soldiers are in the town, and several arrests have been made of persons suspected of being agents of the dreaded Balkan terrorist organisation Oustacha.

Maitre Desbons during the altercation with the Judge shouted: "Whatever you do to me, you and your executioner will not have the heads of these three men."