Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-20
POWER OF HYPNOTISM.
A Scientific Discourse In the Eyraud Murde q
Trial.


When the court room in which the trial
OF Michael Eyraud and Gabrielle Bompard
is taking place in Paris was opened yesterday
morning the usual crowd of eager spectators
was present. but they we're not allowed to enter
the room, as the court had decided that the
evidence Of DIR. Liegeois, the head Of the medi-
cal faculty Of the College of Nancy. should be
taken in accordance with that section of the
criminal code, which gives to witnesses the
option of making their statements to the cour,
and jury alone"
DR.. Ligeis. when summoned Thursday by
Maitre Henri Robert, Mile Bompard's coun-
sci, had asked to be allowed to give his testi-
mOny with no visitors present. Accordingly
he was the first witness summoned yesterday.
and he gave his evidence while the crowd was
kept waiting outside the doors.
He explained to the court and Jury the views
of his school. He stated that anybody who was
hypnotized became n victim of the expert
menter. pure autOmaton mentally and physi.
cally. He could be made to commit crimes
He had made one subject take an un-
loaded revolver and go through the
motions of firing it at suppositious person
The subject afterward believed, acting on the
suggestion of the doctor. that he had COM
mitted murder. Another of the doctors SUBJ
jects had unknowingly signed a promissory
note while under hypnotic influence
DIR. Ligeois expressed surprise that he had
purpose of ascertaining to what degree she was
susceptible to hypnotic influence.
PROTESTING AGAINST A SENTENCE
DIR. Liegeois said it was possible that Mile.
Bompard had received suggestions of which
she retained no recollections when awake To
effect this it would be sufficient to place the
subject in an anesthetic condition. The pris-
oner ought again to be put asleep by mesmerism
in order to revive her recollection of facts oc-
curing at the moment of the commission Of
the crime. The witness pointed out that &C.
cording to the indictment Eyraud had not been
able to put Mile. Bompard asleep vet she had
been proved amenabfe to the hypnotic infiu-
ence of Garanger, having revealed the crime
him while hypnotized.
For his (witness) part if he were the Judge
in this case, bearing in mind previous mis-
carriages OF justice, he would rather cut off his
hand than pronounce sentence upon Mile
BOmpard. When the sensation which this
declaration caused in the court room had SUBJ
sided the procureur asked: by what scientific
means do you determine whether hypnotic
sleep is real or simulatedT' DIR. Liegeois-
''The subject that is really put to sleep can
hear without betraying any symptoms of sensi-
bllity to pain, pin prcks in various parts of the
Dr. Brouarael. being recalled, said that he
nothing in small esteem. All historical
patients were found to be addicted to making
assertions of pretended facts that existed only
in their imaginations. Every possible precau-
ton to prevent a simulated trance had to be
takenin examining subjects at Salt Petriere
He did not doubt the good faith of DR.. Liegeois.
but the latter's statements wanted scientific
proof. Witness was not in favor of again hyp-
nothing Mile. Bompard, as he did not wish 10
run the risk Of letting the audience hear the
revelations that might be surprised out of the
accused.
Drs Mollet and Ballet shared DR.. Brouardel's
views. Both thought the crime 80 complicated
that 1t could not have been committed under
hypnotic influence.
N. Robert, Mile. Bompard's counsel, here
asked that his client be hypnotized in open
court, and n. Decor, counsel for Eyraud, Joined
In the request.
The procureur opposed the request on the
ground that the experiment would not help TO
bring out the truth. In refusing to accede to
the prisoners demand he defended the imper-
scrutable privileges of justice against paradoxss
put before the court.
The judges retired TO consider the question.
Returning several minutes later they declared
that the request Was rejected.
Counsel Tor the relatives Of II. Gouffe then
addressed the court. He pictured the murdered
man - father full Of tender solicituds for hia
daughters. He passed over Eyraud g having
confessed the murder. Re9arding The woman
he asked the Jury not to believe her dspials,
but to punish both prisoners alike.