A FRENCH MURDERER SENTENCED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9118, 28 July 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A FRENCH MURDERER SENTENCED.

[ At the Seine assizes recently, the trial took place of a young soldier, named Charles Cornu, charged with having murdered a bird fancier of the name of Jules Lefevre. About three months ago a navvy exploring the stone quarries of St. Maur came upon the body of a man whose face was cut to pieces, and the marks on the ground showed that death had not been met without a hard struggle. The bird-catcher having been seen on the previous day in the neighbourhood of the quarries in company with Cornu who was a native of that place, suspicion at once fell upon him, but a month* elapsed before the private's whereabouts wore known. Ultimately, on the 12th ult. he W himself up, making a full confession of the murder. He is about 24. In court he renewed his admission in a careless tone hinting, however, that he was deranged at the time from drink. According to the indictment, Cornu gave his boon companion a blow in the chest with his head, causing him to tumble over the ledge of the quarry! Descending into it, ho found Lefevre still alive. The latter, who had been in a drunken state, was only dazei by the fall, and said, " That was very wrong of you. You did it on purpose." Cornu then asked whether he would recognise him if he saw him again. " Yes," replied the victim, you are Cornu." This sealed his fate. He was trampled to death, and his body was disfigured. The jury retired for a short time, and returned a verdict of "Guilty," without extenuating circumstances. Sentence of death was accordingly passed on Cornu, who wept on hearing it. 1