The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-12-25
MR.. NOTARY LEBRUN.
Why Did He Attempt the Life of
M. de la Licterie2

'Stand up, gentleman and ladies'" cried
the black-robed usher in ceremonious
tone, ''the Court is about to enter"
1t was i'll the assize room in the Palace of
Justice in Rouen in the autumn of 1877. |
was passing short holiday in the Norman
capital where, the night before, at the Cafe
d'Angleterre, had made the acquaintance
of the editor OF La Gazette de Roue,t He had
invited me to attend the trial of what he
stated was one of the most curious causes
eeiebreS that had ever come before French
tribunal. and had accommodated me with q
most excellent seat by his side at the table
allotted TO the press.
The large hall was crammed with specta-
tors, the majority Of whom were ladies.
These had eucroached on the spaces re-
served for the officials of the court, and
some bad even been placed on d bench be-
mind the .fouteGjiS of the judges themselves.
From what had been told the charge was
one of attempted murder, capital Offense,
by the way, in France. The attempt had
been totally unsuccessful; it was the per-
sonality of the prisoner that had aroused
such interest in his abortive crime M Lee
brun, notary at law, had lived for forty
years in the town, during which time he
had gained universal respect and sympathy
by the uprightness of his dealings, social
and professional. Though not one of the
1lOllS Ol VIC DIOIeSSlOU. lie was very COM
fOrtably off, and until the day OF his ex-
traordinary crime had always been looked
HpOn as the most peace-loVing and peaceable
of men. 1t was said that the victim had
been perfect stranger to him, and no eX-
PLANTATION of the reason of his conduct could
be imagined 1t was supposed that NJ. Lee
brun had yielded to momentary attack of
h0micidal mania in his cruel and cowardly
assault and this excuse it was expected
would be put forward in his defense
/ examined the countenance of the prison
or with the greatest interest when, on the
order OF tho presiding judge, he was brought
into the dock between two gendarmeS: an
examination which clearly explained to me
the reason of the popular excitement when
it became known that Notary Lebrun had
been arrested for attempted murder No
one, not even our deaB de Balzac, could
have imagined a criminal in this most
peaceful looking of men. He was the true
type of the bourgeois provincial lawyer.
short in stature, spare of frame, tidv and
ceremoniOus in his dress, slightly bald and
specialized His expression was decidedly
amlable, and his manner, though slightly
prim-an attribute of his Professionalism
and pleasing. In one word, the very last
man should have expected to see charged
with violence. | could hardly picture to
myself Notary Lebrun boxing his Office
boys ears.
After he had entered the dock he glanced
round the hall and seemed both surprised
and amused to find himself the object of so
much curiosity. He smiled shrugged his
shoulders, muttered something, and then
sat down between his two guardians to
rise, however, again the next minute, and
10 bow to the judges with much courtliness.
The trial then began with the reading by
the 9reBter OF the long and prOsy Indictment
or Gcte d'dcc1tSdtiOn. While this was being
droned forth another official uncovered a
table which stood in the body of the hall,
on which lay the pieces dc cOagictiOa, or in
eliminating articles found in the prisoners
possession. These consisted OF one or two
bundles OF papers, small engraving in a
black frame, and a most formidable-loolking
knife, long and pointed. The point of this
knife was stained with blood
After the reading Of the Indictment vari-
GUS formalities were gone through, during
the course OF which it TRANSFERRED that the
prisoner had elected to defend himself a de-
cision which the President in vain attempted
TO persuade him TO reconsider The prison
er was then ordered to stand up to be exam
ined
HWhat is your name"
"Lebrun, Francois Marie"
%sYour ageW
'Eixty-three."
"Your professiOnw
"Notary."
"You have lived in this town and exer-
cised your profession here for forty years
spect from your fellow-ctizens. Your prob
ity and your honesty can not for minute
DO doubted. Nothing in your previous ca
reer indicated that one day in your old age
you would occupy the bench Of shame
where you are now sitting. 1t is for you to
explain the motive of your extraordinary
conduct. This you have obstinately refused
TO do to the JUICES d'b9SfructiOM. Do YOU &C
knowledge thai on the eleventh of July last
you struck M. Guillaume de la Licterief
eyes, Mr.. President"
with full invent to kill him.
"With full iGcent to kill him"
"Grellier, show the prisoner that knife.
DO not put it in his hands. Prisoner, is that
the weapon with which you attempted the
murder.h
''lt is"
$40 you acknowledge having treacher-
ously and by means of fictitious and lying
promises drawn your victim into your
house!"
EXACTLY So"
"You accordingly admit the guetdpets, the
dying in waltz
81 do.n
Sin what way had your victim aroused
your anger, your resentment What act of
his had you to revenge"