FRENCH TRIAL FOR MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7650, 29 May 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

FRENCH TRIAL FOR MURDER.

A sensational murder trial was commenced at Paris on April 9, Euphrasie Merrier being charged with the murder of her mistress, Mdlle, Eiodio Mcnotretj of Villemonble. The accused is 67 ycar3 of age. She is the daughter of u. cotton spinner in the Department of the Nord. On his death he left a fortune of £16,000 to be divided amongst his live children. Euphratic, as the eldest;, continued to carry on the factory, but the Kevolution of 18-13 ruined the business. After bankruptcy Euphrasie came to Paris, where for 15 years she led a miserable existence, She was then taken into the service of a lady out of "Hrity, and then passed into the service ot a not too reputable Mdlle, Menctret. Euphrasio soon acquired great power over her mistress, who suspected tier servant, but had not the courage to dismiss her. She made complaints against her to an old friend, M. Grassier. Eupurasie discovered that she was suspected, and on the "21st April, ISS-, M. Grassier saw Mdlle. Menctret for the last time. He called a few days later, but was refused admission. The neighbours, in reply to their inquiries, were told by Euphrasie that her mistress had gone to America. Euphrasie, by variou3 frauds and personation of her

mistress to strange lawyers, obtained deeds of gifts and other documents which enabled her to take over the mining woman's property. Sue waa engaged in improving the property at Villemonble when she had a letter from an illegitimate sou of her sister named Alphonso Ciiatcauucuf. lie was a deserter from the French army and had been long in America, but had returned to Europe. On hearing from her nephew she Ret out for Brussels and brought him to Villemonble. This wa3 in July, 1655. Ho suspected his aunt's story, and when she refused to pay a demand of £1000, communicated with the police. An examination was made of the garden, and the charred remains of a woman were then found buried in it. Amor>g them was one false tooth and a small fragment of gold with which another tooth had been stopped. The books of the dentist of Menetret were then examined, and it was found that in 1857 she had a false tooth, and that in IST I ona of her decayed teeth had been stopped with gold. In the room of the house occupied by her the fireplace showed traces that it had been used for burning a quantity of animal matter. Euphrasio Mercier was then taken into custody.