New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-20
The Burial of Rene Gabriel.

The controversy over the burial of Rene
Gabriel OF Gabriel Pene is evidently at an
end. The conclusion will probably satisfy
all. The coroner has been shown to be sus-
tanned by the law, Mr.. Lombard and others
have succeed in obtaining post mortem
examination, and it only remains to convict
the murderer.
Mr.. Green's Explanation of the whole
affair is presented in his letter, as follows:
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:
The homicide lately committed at the
Slaughterhouse, in this parish. seems to
have brought the coroner into particular
notice.
But had the parties who complain of the
coroner been as we'll informed as they
would have people believe they are, .
great deal of bluster could have been
avoided, and their own ignorance need not
have been made apparent: OF course, Mr..
Editor. an ignorant negro don't know any
thing, and especially this poor ignorant
negro of whom the papers and Simon pure
Democrats have of late said SO much.
Now, this official processes to know all
the law and duties belonging to his Office,
but further he AYERS not. All the law on
the subject of coroner, governing that OIL
cial's acts and duties, known to the State
of Louisiana, will be found in Revised
Statutes of 1870, sections GAG to GIG, inclu.
sive. and act No. q of the session of 1875.
In section 66O Of the Revised Statutes Of
1870 will be found all the law relative co
the point there has been so much learned
talk about. And if the accomplished at
torneys and we'll informed citizens desired
to become acquainted with the duties of
corOners, they would or should have con-
suited the law which was so easy of access,
and then, if they found the coroner derelict,
their course and remedy were equally &C.
eessible.
But this occasion could not be lost sight
Of to condemn the Radicals and heap dirt
on the ignorant negro coroner elected by
noisy gentlemen generally spoil the effect
of all their efforts by showing to the public
how little they really know about the laws
they live under.
The facts in the case are these, SO far as
relates to the coroner:
After being notified of the homicide,
which resulted in the death of Gabriel
Pene, on the twenty-6fth ultimo, at the
SlaughterhOuse, l proceeded to view the
body, and ascertained from q medical gen.
tleman then present, DR.. Guiot, that he had
probed the wound, as he was called by the
friends of the deceased, and he was satisfied
of the cause of death. 1t was notorious who
gave the death blow to the deceased. l
proceeded to summon jury, and took the
necessary precautiOn in regard to the
corpse. The next morning the inquest was
held, and two medical practitioners were
present at my request l suggested the
prOpriety of post mOrtem examination,
but after taking evidence the Jury thought
it unnecessary.
The jury rendered their verdict, the
prOnor no nara unro yno6o ont tho oaonaa6
charged on oath by the coroner and the
warrant was issued for his arrest, but the
party, Notwithstanding he had escaped
into the woods, understand, surrendered
himself to the officer of the law.
The case was fixed for q preliminary OK
animation by the Judge, and then, and not
till then, did we hear-.two weeks after the
inquest about the ignorant ne
gro coroner and the autopsy.
Carroll. and he suggested the prOpriety of
consulting medical man, and IT he thought
it could be done, to have the post mortem
held even at that late day. And I did this
upon nv own idea of the prOpriety Of the
act, notwithstanding that when the inquest
was held / submitted to the opinion Of the
jury.
Later / received letter from Judge
Dibble, Assistant Attorney General, re-
questing me to have the post mortem ex-
animation had if possible.
The suggestions Of Judges Carroll and
Dibble have been carried out, not because
there was authority of any one to order in
this matter, because there was none, but
because in my discretion under the law l
thought it advisable.
Yours, very respectfully,
MATHEW GREEN,
Coroner, Parish St. Bernard.
June II, 1876.