The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-07-23
Conviction for Murder-Extraor.
dinary Case.


has just closed in Belgium. 1t is the case
of the Count and Countess Bocarme, for the
murder Of the brother of the Countess. The
Count was convicted and the Countess ac-
Quilted The trial excited sensation thro'-
out Europe equal to that of Prof. Webster
in this country, and the circumstances attend
ing the crime were equally astonishing and
inexplicablc. 1t appears that the Count Bo-
carme, who had run through large fortune
by his riotous living, cast a longing eye upon
that Of his brother-in- law, to which his wife
was heir -at-law. The brother visited the
house of the Count, and from the testimony
of the Countess and other witnesses the Count
seized the murdered man, and forced por-
ton of virulent poison down his throat, Kill
ling him almost instantly. The Countess de-
clared that she was present at the struggle,
knew of the Counts intentions, but was COM
PEELED to suffer them to be executed for feal
of personal consequences. In Belgium the
accused arepermitted to testify ON trial. and
the Count asserted that the poison was Civ.
en- by the Countess by mistake in wine thai
he partook with the deceased and was saved
by instantly taking remedies to counteract
the poison. The Countess, however, testified
positively to the murder by the Count. The
evidence at first sight, accumulated in a sin
gular manner, until at last sufficient was oh
tanned to ensure conviction. The testmo-
ny shows crime almost unparalleled in a
trocity The ruslilt of the trial is thus sta
ted
The jury were absent an hour and hal
delberating. When the verdict was deliv-
cred, a slight momentary flush passed ovcl
the Counts face, but he eyinced no other
sign Of emotion. On hearing not guilty on
his wife, an expression of internal satisfaction
animated his features. He looked affection
ately towards his wife, who gave no visible
signs of emotion. She left the dock with q
firm step, without speaking to her husband
The Procurleur de Roi having asked the
prisoner if he had anything to say, he replied
"No, except that am perfectly innocent.
He then entered calmly into cony ersation
with his counsel. AT II O'Clock the court
pronounced sentence Of death, upon Hippo
lyte Visart de Bocarme, and decreed that
the execution should take place in one of the
public squares of Mons. The prisoner lef
the court under guard, with a firm step.
A letter from Mons says: The Count dc
Bocarme has appealedto the Court of Cassa.
ton against his sentence. The Countess or
returning to the prison, had "A violent nervous
attack. Her children were brought to her
and their presence tended 10 res ore her.
She left the prison abou. two O'Clock in the
morning. and went to the house of NJ Har.
mignies, one of her counsel. A report is
current that she is about to set off for Ger.
many.
On returning to his cell, the Count threw
himself on his knees, and remained some
time in prayer, His first words on receiving
the visit of his counsel were, cat least my
wife is acquitted, and she will be abeto take
care Of her children" His guard says tha
he continues perfectly calm, and does no
think OF suicide,
Madame dc Bocarme appears perfectly in
different to the fate of her husband; it is
however, reported that she intends to 90 tc
Brussels to demand his pardon Of the King
In the course of the day De Bocarme de
manded to be allowed to sec her, and The
Procurieur de Roi instantly gave permission
but she refused. 1t is thought that she vii
retire to a covent
General dissatisfaction is felt at the acquit
tai of Madame de Bocarme. No sympath,
is expressed for her, on account of the wan
of feeling she displayed throughout the trial
1t is thought by many legal gentlemen tha
the technical objections taken, will be hell
to be good by the Court of Cessation, ant
that consequently there will have to be
new trial De Bocarme has expressed tn
wish that his chateau shall be razed to th
the ground, and that the site on which
stands shall be ploughed up. His family ha
consented to this.