FIENDISH MURDER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20238, 23 February 1934, Page 1

FIENDISH MURDER.

Judge Who Knew Too Much About Stavisky Case. TIED ACROSS RAILWAY. United Press Assn —By Klcctrie Telegraph—Copyright. DIjOX, February 22. A mysterious murder, incatitig elabi orate pre arrangement, and again arcus- [ ing feverish inic:tst m the Stavisky j affair, was brought to light when the | mangled body o.‘ a distinguished war veteran, M. Albeit Prince, a Judge of the Court of Appeal and an ex-chief cf the Public Prosecutions Department, was found on the Paris railway line close to Dijon. M. Prince, who conducted inquiries on the Oustric, Ilanau and Stavisky frauds between 1925 and 1931, received a bogus telephone call, apparently from his family doctor, demanding his presence at his sick mother's beside. Declaring that it was not necessary for his wife to accompany him, he departed immediately lor Dijon, after which his wife received telegrams, purporting to come from her husband, saying that his mother was progressing after an operation. Actually she was in perfect health, but this was a blind to facilitate the murderer's escape. Platelayers with the aid of electric lamps discovered the remains following an engine driver’s report of finding blood on his engine. The body had been stabbed. The ankles were bound with cord, scraps of which were found on the rails. A severed hand was some distance away, several trains having passed over the corpse, which the murderers apparently placed on the line in the hope of traffic rendering it unrecognisable. A handkerchief, a powder puff, a gold watch, identity papers and a purse containing £3 10s were adjacent. Belief ’’s growing that the crime had a political motive. M. Prince apparently reached Dijon and was met at the station by acquaintances, with whom he entered a motor-car. Pieces of cuff links were found on the road and other pieces near the body. Possibly M. Prince was killed because he knew too much. He is reported to have received threatening letters. His predecessor, M. Cordon, was tragically killed in a motor accident. M. Prince should have given evidence this morning in the Stavisky inquiry. It was believed that he would be able to establish the identity of the official responsible for the lack of action on Police Commissioner Pachot’s reports.