LANDRU'S DOOM.

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1921, Page 5

LANDRU'S DOOM.

DRAMATIC SCENES.

FINAL STAGES IN COURT.

INNOCENCE PROTESTED.

(Received 9.30 a.m.)

PARIS, Nov. 30.

The Landru trial concluded to-day, the jury finding the aocuscd guilty of murder, forgery and theft.

His counsel, M. Giaffcri, in his concluding speech emphasised that there wias u cemeteiy within 250 yards of the villa at Gamlbais and it , was posisibl© that the bones were put in .the garden, by unknown persons after the police had ina/de the first search. He suggested that Landru's fiancees were victims of the white slave traffic in the

United States and South America.

Landru, replying to the Judge, solemnly declared his innocence, appealing [to the love he bore his children.

As the .jury left to consider their verdict he dramatically cried: "I innocent! I am innocent! I' never killed anyone! Jurymen, do your duty!"

The jury retired to consider 48 questions left by the Judge. They were absent for two hours.

When Landru re-entered the Court he seemed very pale and shaken and with difficulty kept his seat.

When ithe Judge asked if he had anything to say regarding the sentence he muttered: "Nothing. Nothing."

Several jurymen left the Court, being 1 to hear 'the death sentence pronounced. A number of others signed statement recommending Landru to mercy. After the Judge had read the decision condemning Landru to be guillotined at Versailles and >to pay the cost Landra. said: '' Tho Court has made a mistake. This will be my last protest."

Asked by his counsel to sign a petition for jncrcy «Landru refused saying: "A man like me begs no grace and no pardon."—A. and N.Z.