A CONVICT HERO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8808, 21 December 1906, Page 2

A CONVICT HERO.

A BRAVE ACTION ASD A TREE PARDON. | An extraordinary act of bravery performed by an escaped convict has resulted, says a Paris correspondent, in his obtaining what is practically a free pardon. Tlie man is Francois Pivet, who seven years ago was sentenced to death for murder. The sentence was afterwards commuted to penal servitude for life. Pivet, however, succeeded in escaping, and nothing more was heard of him until a day or two ago, when he reappeared at Nantes under extraordinary circumstances. A lunatic barricaded himself in his house, and from an upstairs window fired shots from a gun at tlie people in the street. \ Several persons were injured, and great j excitement prevailed. Suddenly a j man sprang forward, and, scaling the wall of the h.ouse, wrenched the gun out of tho madman's hand. The Mayor of Nantes specially congratulated the stranger on his remarkable coolness and bravery, when suddenly a policeman present recognised him as the missing convict. He was arrested, and was taken before the tribunal. The trial was short but sensational. The crowd cheered and applauded Pivet, and clamoured for him to be set free. Instead of being sent back to penal servitude for life he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, after which he will be set free " in consideration of his heroic deed."