GREAT JEWEL THEFT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 85, 1 July 1927, Page 13

GREAT JEWEL THEFT

CONDE ROSE DIAMOND THREE ACCUSED SENTENCED By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyriyht PARIS, Wednesday. The trial of the three accused of stealing the famous Conde rose diamond is ended. Kaufer, the Alsatian, was sentenced to 10 years’ gaol, Souter to seven years’ solitary confinement, and Madame Schill to five years’ imprisonment. The closing scenes provided thrills almost as great as those attending the theft. The prosecution prepared a film with the acoused men playing leading parts, re-enacting the scaling of the tower of the Chateau Chantilly. This was shown privately to the jury. Kaufer and Souter accused Kaufer’s wife of instigating the crime, this leading to a heated scene in court.— A. and N.Z. The Grande Conde, the most beautiful pink diamond in the world, was taken from the National Museum at the Chateau of Chantilly on October 12. along with many other valuable treasures Three months later a chambermaid in a small Paris hotel, while dusting a bedroom, took a bite at an apple which she found there. Her teeth came into con tact with a hard substance, which proved to be the famous diamond. The police were called in and arrested Kaufer and Souter, Goldenrat, a Polish Jew, and Maria Schill, a jeweller, the latter two being receivers. The thieves confessed that they stole a ladder, crossed the moat, and climbed the wall of the chateau, using gloves to prevent finger prints. They wrenched out jewels from their booty, throwing the settings into the Seine. Afterwards they sold all the gems, except the big diamond, Maris Schill taking the lion's share of the pro ceeds.