DRAMATIC SUICIDE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20281, 16 April 1934, Page 7

DRAMATIC SUICIDE.

Convicted Banker Carries Out Threat. A LINK WITH CAILLAUX. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received April 16. 12.35 p.m.) PARIS. April 15. “If I am condemned, blood will flow,” said a banker, Henri Rochette, when, some time ago, he was accused of financial frauds. He was found guilty a month ago and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment l . He appealed, and the judges yesterday, instead of acquitting him, increased the sentence to three years. Rochette whipped out a razor and slashed his throat. He was admitted to hospital, but died. Thus was his blood threat fulfilled. Thirty years ago Rochette was a waiter on the Riviera. He inherited £2OO and went to Paris and was soon floating companies. He became wealthy. He was arrested in 1908 on charges concerning bonds and sentenced to ten 5-ears' imprisonment. He appealed and was released. The newspaper editor, M, Calmette, accused M. Caillaux, who was then Premier, of shielding Rochette. A commission found that M. Caillaux had aided Rochette, but innocently. Calmette resumed his attacks on Caillaux and his wife and then, early in 1914, Madame Caillaux went to Calmette's office and shot him dead. Rochette, meantime, joined the french army during the war and served as a private. The statute of limitations erased the charges but alter the war Rochette resumed tux financial operations and was several times imprisoned. It is stated that he ffo,oooixhj. the public of a *°‘ ai * Rochette’s suicide was followed by the discovery that his brother, Gaston Rochette, also committed suicide by He Wt 5 f ° at ,\ n a suburb of Paris’ and h'l/ farewell letter to his wife and children saying that he was committing suicide to give them an opportumty of restoring the reputation of ed e '4i?h m H Gaston was not connectf. Henri s enterprises, but -s becutties. tQ haVE been in financial difft.