Crowd Storms Gaol

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 750, 24 August 1929, Page 20

Crowd Storms Gaol

Millionaire Escapes Guillotine

—t-y ORE than 200 people were injured and 50 arYfwwjgty rests were made during r i°t s at Limoges, UrSwrlJ/l France, following the conviction and sentence to life imprisonment of a young millionaire, Charles Barataud, who was tried for the murder of Etienne Faure, a taxi-driver, and his friend, Bertrand Peynet. Barataud escaped the guillotine owing to an error on the part of the jury, and the public considered tha.t he was too leniently treated. The foreman of the jury stated after the trial that they intended to condemn Barataud to death, but owing to a misunderstanding as to the interpretation of the phrase “extenuating circumstances” he only received a life sentence. The great crowd which had gathered outside the court during the trial indulged in an angry outburst when Barataud was taken, strongly guarded, from the court, but he said calmly, “Jt is all right. I have no complaint against them. Some day the truth will be known.” At night the mob attacked the prison where Barataud

was detained, breaking iron bars and battering at the doors. Mounted Republican Guards were marshalled, and they charged the crowd, only to be met with a barrage of stones. They were reinforced by policemen, and at last succeeded in dispersing the rioters. The crowd later re-formed and another charge was made by the mounted Guards. So serious was the position becoming that the prefect, the Mayor, and the general of the local garrison took charge of the operations, and the soldiers were ordered to stand by, under arms, in their quarters. The Republican Guards were reinforced by detachments hastily summoned from Angouleme and Perigueux. Late at the crowds succeeded in erecting barricades protected by barbed wire, against which the mounted guards led charges. Several were unhorsed and hurt, and one of the horses was killed. After midnight the crowd was somewhat thinner, but excitement was still high, and several thousands of people were wandering about the streets. Later, the authorities took every precaution to prevent further disorders, and strong bodies of troops were posted in the main streets.