The Washington critic., 1890-05-13
A PARTISAN MURDERER.
The Tale of Horror Told in n Paris
Anafze Court

Asefze Court.
A special cable telegram from Paris TO
the New York Herald says; At the
Assizes meek, Notwithstanding
man Of middle age was tried and
condemned to death for double
crime almost unparalleled in atrocious
savagery. The monster is Jean Vodable, a
Paris carter. Vodable used to live with
scavenger named Pauline Malflatre, who,
after three years. experience, got wearied
Of her lovers brutal usage and showed him
the door. Breathing threats of vengeance,
Vodable went away and remained absent a
month. On the morning Of November 3d.
Madame Malhlatre found Vodable In her
apartment. He urged her to resume her
former relations, emphasizing his entreaties
by showing rope, with which, he said, he
would hang himself in case OF refusal.
Madame Malflatre compromised matters
by agreeing to spend day with Vodable.
She had daughter, Alexandrlne, ~ years
old, whom she supposed to be at school as
usual. When midday came Alexandrne
did not return. At luncheon time her
mother grew anxious, but Vodable quieted
her by saying that he had given Alexan-
drine three sous to get her meal at school.
The afternoon was passed by Vodable and
Madame Malilatre in quafiing bottles of
wine. AS twilight gathered and Alexan-
drine did not return, her mothers anxiety
revived.
Accompanied by Vodables she went to the
school, where she learned that Alexandrine
had not attended. Thence she went to the
police station, where an inquiry was set on
foot, but nothing could be learned of the
late, Madame Malfllatre went home still in
company with Vodable, who passed the
night at her house. Vodable took his leave
early in the morning and Madame Mal6latre
set about tidying the room. While thus
engaged she noticed bit of red cloth peep
ing out from under the bed. The woman
staggered back in terrible fear, then she
stopped down and pulled the cloth toward
her. 1t was her child's dress--Alexandrin
was found at last. A shrek ran through
the house, and when the alarmed neighbors
entered the room they found the hapless
mother lying insensible upon the corpse Of
her child.
Medical examination showed that bru-
tai assault had been committed upon the
girl, and suspicion was at once directed to
Yodable, who, after keeping the police at
bay for couple of days, gave himself up
OF his own accord, confessing that he was
guilty of the crime of murder. His coun-
| sci, at the opening of the trial, begged for
remand In order that Vodable might un-
| dergo medical examination. This was re-
| fused by the presiding Judge, who forth
answered composedly, almost carelessly,
and kept looking round the packed court
as II he were a spectator and the persons
| present were there for his amusement.
81 found Alexandrine," he said, "get-
| ting ready togo to school and asked her
about the visits paid to her mother. She
said she could tell me nothing, as It was
not her business. / said, If you don't tell
me l'll wiring your neck j then took her
and wrung her neck"
A shudder ran through the audience as
| yodsble told the tale without tremor in
his voice, leaning the while unconcernedly
over the rail Of the dock. When the'si
lence broken by the murmur of loathing
| from the public had been restored he re-
sumed without waiting for the Judge.
"Then pushed her under the bed and as
abe moved bit, took stick and pushed
her further under.n
Nodable's counsel made strenuous effort
to save his clients neck, depicting him as a
Jealous lover, whom passion had maddened,
but the admirably pitiless-returned
| a verdict of guilty.