The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-05-21

were first rare, but they subsequently
Finally these visits led to the breaking
of the happy domestic relations that had
heretofore existed between himself and
his wife.
AS the questioning was continued, Mr..
Deacon made bad breaks in his French and
his language became less accurate. The
court thought 1t better to secure the
services of an interpreter, and there
after Mr.. Deacon gave his evidence in
English.
He rehearsed the well known story OF the
fatal night in the Hotel Splendide. Mrs.
Deacon's deposition, denying that there
was anything criminal her and Abeille
Was read.
Leacon said he believed his wife was
insane.
A former valet du pied of Madame Dea-
con stated that Abeille watched from his
carriage Deacons leaving the house or
hotel, and then went in to see Madame.
OF the relations between Mrs. Deacon and
Abeille. Witness once went with Mad
anne to her lovers residence in the Ruo
Penthievre. (Sensation).
The maitre OF the Hotel Windsor at
Cannes deposed that Abeille had tele-
graphed to him to retain rooms, signing
simply "Adam." Witness knew Madame
and Abeille were alone in Sne hotel.
DIR. De Valcourt, American consul at
Cannes, declared he knew Deacon to be q
man OF upright and honest character, be-
longing to family OF high standing in
Boston. He. was highly esteemed by
Americans sojourning In Paris and other
European resorts.
The taking of evidence was then con-
cluded and a short adjournment was or
dered. In the meantime the audience
discussed the probable verdict. The bal.
ance OF opinion was In favor of acquittal
or at most a nominal punishment
The president, on resuming his seat had
repeatedly to call for order. The procureur
then began his address to the jury. He
said the jury ought to remember what IL
heard in court and to forget rumors it
heard without. Under the tendencies OF
modern literature to deai-with episodes
OF adultery, what ought to have been only
the affair OF Deacon had become the
world-renowned Cannes tragedy.
The procureur reproached Deacon for
showing solicitude after mortally wound
ing his victim, for nothing except to get
evidence OF the guilt of his wife. lie did
not offer to succor his victim; nor for
him was the fact OF his wife's adultery in
any way disconcerting. He desired proof
OF her adultery, not proof OF her inno-
cence.
He told them he was animated by a
strong desire to avenge his outraged
honor. Had he tried to protect his wife
against the seductions OF Abeille or the
dangers Of the fugitive life she led in
flirting about from one gay place TO an
otherf After charging her with going
to the lakes with Abeile, in spite OF
quasi proof OF her adultery, he left her to
go TO New York.
The procureur contended that the mur-
der OF Abeille was committed at mo-
ment OF passion, when there was no clear
proof Of Mrs. Decon's adultery. The
procureur said he held that the crime
presented the aspects OF generalization
more prominently than usual in cases of
crime actuated by passion. Deacon had
watched for and chosen the hour both TO
kill, and to obtain evidence for n divorce,
and could not therefore be allowed ac-
quittal.
After a half hours deliberation the
Jury returned an affirmative verdict on
the question OF inflicting wounds result
ing in death, without intention 10 kill,
the decision being equivalent to a ver-
dict OF wilfully wounding.
M. PLATTE, in behalf OF Deacon, made a
strong plea for a minimum sentence.
The president then retired from the
court room. He soon returned aud an
nounced to the general amazement OF
his hearers, that he imposed a sentence
of one years imprisonment. Murmurs,
rising quickly into n volume OF Kisses and
groans, greeted this announcement.
Deaeon's brother shook hands with
him, saying. I'VE arc all very sorry. A
most unjust verdict and sentence"
Before the prisoner departed from the
court room, attended by gend'armes, q
number OF his friends rallied around him,
and there was much hand-shaking and q
good deal OF emotion. Deacon repressed
his feelings like a stole, yet really looked
very near breaking down.
vivscious criticisms on the harshness