Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-15

Most Remark able Csse OF Dead
HeadIsm on Record.


HeadIsm ON Record.
A Brussels telegram says: The all
absorbing topic of discussion here at the
present moment is the strange case Of
Flemish mechanic, Stegaert, who was
brought here from New York on charge
of murder committed at Gand, and
whose second trial in that city has just
been brought to singular conclusion.
Stegaert, as the readers OF the New
York Times may possibly remember,
emiarated from this country to the
United States about three years ago.
and on his arrival there took up his resi-
deDce in New Orleans For time
everything went all right, but toward the
end of 1887 he was thrown out OF work.
quickly spent all his savings, and in the
spring of last year found himself IN
state of utter restitution. At length in
despair he addressed himself to the
Chief OF Police OF New Orleans, saying
that he was driven by remorse to sur
render himself 10 the authorities as the
perpotrator of a mysterious murder COM
mitted four years previously at Gand,
and concerning which he gave the most
circumhantial details. The Belgian Con-
sui was informed of the case and COM
municated with the authorities here. A
demand was received in New Orleans for
the self-accused murderer's extraditiOn,
and early in July he was conveyed, i'll
custody of two detectives, to New York,
and thence 10y way of Antwerp to Gand.
On the day after his arrival in Gand
he was taken before the magistrates and
requested to reveal the full details of the
crime of which he had confessed himself
to be the author. To the utter astonish-
ment Of every one present in court Ste
gaert coolly declared that his sole know
ledge OF the mysterious tragedy in ques-
ton was derived from an old Antwerp
newspaper which he had happened to
read on his voyage out TO New York.
He added that he WAS absolutely inno-
cent of the murder with which he was
charged, and that his only reason
for having accused himself OF being the
perpetrator thereof was that, being pen
niless and homesick in foreign land, no
had considered it to be the cheapest and
most comfortable manner of returning
TO the old country. This astounding
statement was confirmed ten days later,
when. on being brought up for trial, he
was able 30 furnish IA satisfactory abb,
proving that he had been at work in a
factory at Lioge the day the murder was
committed ut Gand. In view of this evil
dence it was impossible to do otherwise
than to pronounce his acquittal OF the
charge on which he had been indicted.
Ii is impossible to describe the intense
disgust displayed at the Ministry of
Police here on learning tho result Of the
irial-a disgust which will be readily UNI
derstood when ii is borne In mind that
the expenses incurred 10y the depart
ment IN connection with the extradition
and the transport of Stegaert from New
Orleans 10 Gand amounted to over
sc. 600. The Government therefore
caused the man TO be rearrested and
indicted on charge of having
defrauded the National Treasury OF
the sum mentioned. Indeed, 1t
was deemed absolutely necessary that
something should be done TO deter
other Belgians IN foreign chmes from
adopting Stegaert's means OF inducing
the State to defray their travelling ex-
peuseS. apparently, hONV'et, tnO "V'h
protects his own, aud after most OK
haustive trial extending over a period of
ten days Stegsert was yesterday for
second time acquitted by the Judges.
The grounds on which they base their
decision are as follows; Stegaert had de-
pouuced himself ns the author of a muir
der Of which he was no. accused at
the time. On being indicted he
had sought to defend himself against
the charge, as he had q perfect
right 10 do. II the magistrates and po-
lice had been unsuccessful in proving his
culphbility that was their own lookout,
aud their incompetency to bring home
70 him the authorship Of the murder for
which he was tried and acquitted was
certainly not Sufficient reason for con-
vicsng him of swindhDg the STATE Urea
sury.
The Crown has determined to appeal
to the Supreme Court against this queer
judgment Of the Gand Tribunals. and
mean while Stegaert, VINO without exeep-
ton is the most impudent dead-head who
has ever stolen ride, remains in jail.