A WOMAN ARRANGES HER OWN MURDER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 42, 17 October 1891, Page 486

A WOMAN ARRANGES HER OWN MURDER.

The mystery surrounding the death of Madame Josefa Kirsch, a rich innkeeper in Detta, who was found strangled in bed a few days ago, has just been cleared up by the confession of an imbecile named Marcsin Gilezan, who says that he killed the woman by her own wish, and for a consideration of two florins. According to a Dalziel’s telegram from Buda I‘esth, he also produces a letter in Madame Kirsch’s handwriting in support of his statements. His story is as follows: —When, on the day of the murder, I visited the dead woman’s inn, she sat down at my table and told me that she was tired of life and desired nothing better than a painless and speedy death. She asked me if I knew of a pleasant way of committing suicide, and upon suggesting strangulation she said, “ Yes, I think that would suit me, but I am afraid to do it myself, as I might again be interrupted by some busybody, as on two former occasions when I have at-

tempted j that method of suicide. Poison I detest for similar reasons ; there always seems to be a stomach-pump ready to disturb one’s peace ” Then the woman asked me if I wanted to make a little money, and upon my answering in the affirmative, she said—“ Come round about midnight, and I’ll see what I can do for you.’ Gilezan further deposes that upon his arrival at the house the woman gave him a large bottle of schnaps, and bade him go to her room as soon as he had finished it. He did as he was told, and when he entered Mime. Kirsch’s room, she said—‘ Have

yon suflieient courage to kill me!' Gilezan said he was drunk enough to attempt anything she wished. • Then take the rope lying upon the table, together with your two florins and a letter to the police exonerating you from all blame, continued the woman. ‘ Bind my hands and feet, and when it is done strangle me with both of your hands. But, mind, don’t leave me until you are sure I am quite dead. Grip my neck with both hands for five minutes at least.’ Gilezan says he strictly followed these instructions, and, after killing the woman, he sprinkled the body as well as himself with holy water. Then he left, taking his two florins an<l the letter to the police with him.