MURDERERS OF 36 WOMEN.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LI, Issue 9137, 9 July 1906, Page 2

MURDERERS OF 36 WOMEN.

QUAINT TRIAL BEFORE A MOROCCAN VICEROY.

The recent trial in Morocco of a cobbler and a woman for the murder of 36 Mooresses— a combination of the monstrous crimes of Jack the Ripper and the Australian Deeming — was witnessed by the correspondent of the Daily Mail, who furnishes quaint details of the prooeeddngs. As briefly reported in the Daily Mail of April 30 and May 5, the accused wero sentenced, according to the ordinance in the Koran, to be crucified, but afterwards the Viceroy a> Marrahesh overruled that

form of death, and referred the final decision to the Sultan. \Oor correspondent is the first Christian wSj*> has been, privileged to witness the triaTot a criminal in Morocco, and the partdculara, therefore, have exceptional interest. I was Bitting with the Viceroy, the correspondent writes; he had just finished lunch, an company with a brother of the Chief Vizier, who Had/ come from Fez, when a soldier saidi : "The murderers are

coming."

We lieard the Bound of a great crowd approaching the gate; nearer and nearer it came; it seemed as if all the city had turned out. The large door was cloee3 against them. The Viceroy rose and sat down in front of the pair behind the door, surrounded by soldiers. The criminals were lying on the ground exhausted. TEe man had to be raised and held in a sitting position to speak to th» Viceroy. On his ankles were heavy ' iron fetteia. The Viceroy, sitting on a straw cushion, addressed the man : "Tell us how you killed those spirits." (The dead are spoken of as spirits.) The soldier holding the. criminal shook him violently and called out, "speak, ye dog, to my lord; tell him the truth." "My lord," the prisoner began, "it is sinful to tell lie©. I witness to God and the Prophet, the beloved, one, I did not slaughter tnem." And he proceeded with a story that he had been only an employee " of the actual murderers, three men. "Tell us how you killed them ; tell us all about this last woman — you will remember this case." "My kxrd, this woman" (indicating his accomplice), "brought her." "I never did," cries the woman; "you liar, you son of a Christian dog, I never knew you or had dealings with you." Thus the man's examination proceeded. Then turning to the woman the Viceroy said: "Speak, 0 daughter; what sayest thou?" She site up, raises her arms, spreads out her hands, turns her eyes to the heavens, and appeals to God end the Koranic law and bis Highness the Viceroy that she is -innocent, that "fcbie man has told lies." The man adds fnriuar details. She ftingt * torrent of abusive epithets at l&n, -- »nd then Ike down exhausted.

Viceroy (to the man) : "Tell all ; we may be able to help you against this woman."

"My knrd, lies are unlawful — I Save told all," the man declares. "The other four (Uiere were only three the last time ha spoke) did the deed."

The Viceroy rises, orders the otKer three to be brought, and these two to be put into a room and given some food. "In the morning/ his Highness adds, "all of them leave for Fez to appear before tlie Sultan. May God give him victory."

The soldiers shout, "May God bless the life of our lord," and hustle the pair into a dirty room. But at this stage I retired.