New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-21
DEACON FOUND GUILTY.
SENTENCED TO A YEARS IMPRISONMENT
FOR WILFUL wOUNDING ABEHLE.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE. SENTENCE
GREETED WITH Kisses AND GRoANs-rHE
PRISONER DESCRIBES THE TRAGEDY
AND THE OCCURRENCES THAT LED
UP TO IT-MRS. DEACoN'S

UP TO IT-MRS DEACoN's
DEPOSITION.
Nice, May 2O.-Tle trial Of Edward Parker Deacon.
who was charged with manslaughter for the killing Of
NJ Abee. took place to-day before the Assze Court Of
| the Alpes Martimes. The jury returned afirma-
tive verdict on the question Of ncting wounds result.
Ing in death without intention 10 KILL the decision
being equivalent TO verdict OF wully wounding and
Deacon was sentenced to imprisonment for year.
The courtroom is small. obong hall, which might
hoid 800 persons II II cmmmed to its fullest ca
paclty At an early hour the alley leading to the
fahs de Justice presented a lively appearance. The
case has naturally excited the greatest interest among
all classes. AS many French newspapers have taken
occasion TO attack Mr. Deacon solely because he is an
American. large crowd Of the residents OF Mica
gathered about the Palais de Justice, while the doors
leading to the courtroom were blocked by those who
had been lucky enough to tickets OF admission
These tickets were all at the disposal Of the president
OF the court and the demand for them ever since tho
date OF the trial fixed, has been extraordi
nary. The French journalists were particularly
anxious to be present to hear and report
the proceedings. and large number OF them
had seats at table between the fury box and the
seats occupied by the accused man and his counsel
Many representatives OF foreign newspapers also were
present.
The benches In the gallery at the end Of the hall
were occupied by elegantly dressed women. The
room, the temperature and the air became almost
suifocating. This drawback had effect upon the
eagerness OF the women to listen to the proceedings
They sat calmly tanning Themselves throughout the
session. paying the closest at enton TO everything
that was said and done. To many OF them the scene
was novel one. The crowd in the gallery was com.
posed almost entirely OF members Of the aristocrac
circle OF Nice. The season Is completely over and
foreigners have deserted the Riviera At the first
glance around hardly a dozm Americans or English.
men could be seen Among the foreigners present
were Mr. Harris. the British Consul Mr.. Vial. the
American Vlce-COnsul; Major Brevoor Mr. Deacon's
brother. Mr. Burrel. an Ii elish barrster Monaco.
and Mr.. Middleton, professor at the Lycee
THE OPENING OF TIE TRIAL
The proceedings openei at twenty minutes past
o'clock, with Judge Aubern, president OF the Court.
on the bench The Count du Moron. procureur n the
Republic, represented the prosecution. Nr. Deacon
was represented by Mare DOmange. a celebrated ad-
vOcaie OF the Paris bar ~ Gorand. an equally well.
known lawyer Of Paris: Frank Hotie. Of the Nice bar,
and NJ Bret, solicitor of Cannes. The Abeile
family, though not taking any part In the proceed.
ings. represented BY Maitie I.airOlle.
Mr.. Deacon brought into the court room bv two
gendarmeS, who escorted him to the prisoners bench
and then took up their position, one on each side OF
him. As he entered the room all eyes were directed
upon him. The stories that have long been current
to his indifference In regard to the killing. 10 the
results d his trial. were bclied by his aspect. a
Taor, caused either by anxiety ill-heah. marked
his features. Tie serious nature of the charge
against him seemed to have impressed him
deeply. lie concentrated his attention upon the
Judicial bench. He was dressed IN bllcx
coat, black waistcOat and plain dark tweed trousers
He looked severely sombre and earnest. Mr.. Deacon
is about fifty rsoldHe is tall. ana hts thin hair
Is showing gray about the temples. That he was
nervous betrayed by the frequent spasmodic con-
traction Of his eyeds and his mouth His voice Wa
nrm, however and in clear tones and with thorough
he responded in perfect French to the questions
asked him by the Procureur
Mrs. Deacon. who had been formally cited to appear.
was not present All the other witnesses replied as
their called by the clerk Of the court.
VI. Griier read the acte d'accusaon. The jury
from the very outset. paid marked attention to the
evidence. 1t comp rcd of tradesmen in the city
and Il few petty landowners. but its members were
obviously men Of fair intelligence.
Mr.. DEACON TELLS HIS STORY.
Mr. Deacon on the invitation Of the President Of
the Court recOuntcd his relations with his wife from
their marriage until l-o0. Their life he said. was
a happy until they made the acquaintance Of
Abcille That wa, in 1857. Abce's visits TO the
Deacon home at first rare. but they subsequently
became frequent that the witness objected. Finally
tc-c visits lead to the breaking of the happy domestic
relations that had Heretofore existed between himself
and his wife.
made lad breaks in his French, and his language
became less accurate. The court thought 1t better TO
the services Of Interpreter and thereafter
Mr.. Deacon gave his evidence Fl Elcsh
Continuing his testimony. he said that after his
suspicious aroused violent scenes between him.
self and his wifs became frequent. His motherin.
law and brother-nlaw were informed Of the trouble.
They said that jealousy AT the bottom OF 1t. and
couasellea moderation Acting on their advice. wit
moss renewed his amicable relations with his wife,
but at the time he resolved to watch her closely
About this time the family physician advised him TO
go to IIomburg. hc suffering from Inflammation
Of tho stomach Mrs Deacon started for Moritz at
the same time. While Mr.. Deacon was at Homburg
he received anonymous letters saying that Abeile was
with his wife Mr. Deacon wrote to her from HON.
burg saying that she must all acquaintance with
Abeillc. Although he thol had no doubts as to MS
wifes fidelity still there was scandal which he
rould not tolerate. He wrote her that she must
choose between him and Abeille. or let him have
divorce. Mr.. Deacon promised to be a good. loving
husband, but insisted that she must break on her
relations with Aboillc
she made reply to this letter for ten Gays.
Then she wrote that she had taken time 10 consider
the contents OF his letter. she said that she was not
responsible for the presence of Abelle at ~.
Moriiz Her nervous system. she added. was
too much affected by Mr. Deacon's tyrannicA
conduct. and She could longer stand It. She
concluded her letter by declaring that her hus-
band could send the police or d. whatever else
he liked
In another letter Mrs. Deacon said that she could
not stand Insults her husband offered her, and
hat all relations between them should Thence
orlh she said. they would communicate with each
other only through her lawyer. She added that Mr..
Deacon had I'm the meantime better To the United
states and give her rcpose. Mrs. Deacon knew thae
icr husband had 60 to the United states ut about
his time matters of business.
In reply to this letter. Mr.. Deacon wrote that ne
would like TO see her before he started for
he United states. Her response 10 this was that
he extremely nervous, and that II wouiu "
leter for them both not to meet Then MI Deacon
ent "A telegram announcing that he was going 10 ST.
Nortz to her but reply came 70 ths teies'ah"
hat Mrs. Deacon the point of leaving S1.
,Ioitz with Countess de Gramnont Tor the laAes
Mr. Deacon then went to Geaeva. While there he