AN ATROCIOUS CRIME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8300, 5 July 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN ATROCIOUS CRIME.

SENTENCE TO DEATH OF A CHILD

MURDERER IN PARIS. Paths, May ft. —A meek, inoffensive-looking man of middle age at the Paris a.-si/.',") to-day was tried and condemned to death for a double crime almost unparalleled in atrocious savagery. The monster is Jean Vodable, a Paris ter. Vodablo used to live with a scavenger, Pauline Mallilatre, who, after three years' experience, wearied of her lover's brutal usage and showed him the door. Breathing threats of vengeance, Vodable went away and remained absent a month. On the morning of November 30 Mme. Mallilatre found Vodable in her apartment. He urged her to resume their former relations, emphasising his entreaties by showing a rope, with which he said he would hang himself in case of refusal. Mine. Mallilatre compromised matters, agreeing to spend the day with Vodable. She had a daughter, Alexandrine), twelve years old, whom she supposed to bo at school as usual. When midday came Alexandrine did not return. At luncheon time her mother grew anxious, but Vodable quieted her by saying that he had given Alexandrine three sous to get her meal at school. The afternoon was passed by Vodablo and Mine. Mallilatre in fulfilling bottles of wine. As the twilight gathered and Alexandrine still did not return, her mothers anxiety revived. Accompanied by Vodable, she went to the school, where she learned that Alexandrine had not attended. T.hence she went to the police, where an inquiry was set on foot, but nothing could be learned of the missing child. Finally, tired and disconsolate, Mme. Mallilatre went home, still in company with Vodable, who passed the night at her house. TIIK CRIME DISCOVERED. Vodable tool: his leave early in the morning, and Mine. Mallilatre set about tidying the room. While thus engaged she noticed a bit of red cloth peeping out from under the bed. The woman staggered back in terrible fear ; then she stooped down and pulled the cloth toward her. It was her child's dress. Alexandrine was found at last. A shriek rang through the house, and when the alarmed neighbours entered the room, they found the hapless mother lying insensible upon the corpse of her child. A medical examination showed that a brutal assault had been committed upon the girl, and suspicion was at once directed toward Vodable, who, after keeping the police at bay for a couple of da_\s, gave himself lip of his own accord, confessing that he was guilty of the crime of murder. Tin: TRIAL. His counsel at the opening of the trial begged for a remand in order that Vodable might undergo medical examination. This was refused by the Presiding Judge, who forthwith began his cross questioning. Vodable answered composedly, almost carelessly, and kept looking round the packed court as if lie were a spectator and the persona present were there for his amusement. Vqdable had suffered several condemnations for wounding with knife and revolver women with whom he had lived, lie lightly acknowledged that he had shot one woman and stabbed another in moments of exasperation. He strenuously maintained that he had been an industrious and ternjterate workman, adding, " I was a great fool to bear with her as long as I did." THK STORY OF THE MURDERER. The Judge asked the prisoner to relate the details. " Voial!" said Vodable, "I found Alexandrine getting ready to go to school, and asked her about the visits paid to her mother. She said she could tell me nothing, as it was not her business. I said if you don't tell me I'll wring your neck. I took her and wrung her neck." A shudder ran through the audience. Vodable had told the tale without a tremor in his voice, leaning the while, unconcernedly, over the rail of the dock. When the silence, broken by a murmur of loathing from the public, had been restored he resumed without waiting for the Judge : "Then I pushed her under the bed. As she moved a bit I took a stick and pushed her further under."

Vodable's counsel made a strenuous effort to save his client's neck, depicting him as a jealous lover whom passion had maddened, but the jury, admirably pitiless, returned a verdict of guilty. "J;/ xui-i," remarked Vodable, after listening impassively to the sentence which consigned him to the guillotine.