The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-05-21
THE NICE SCANDAL.
THE TRIAL OF EDWRD PARkER
DEACON FOR MURDER.
The Prisoner L. found Guilty and Sem
fenced 60 One Years imprisonment
-Deacon'> Testimony

By Cable To the State Chronicle.
NICE, May 20.-The trial of Ed
ward Parker Deacon, for the killing of
Nj. Abeille, his wife's lover, in the
Hotel Splendide, commence to-day.
MIR. Deacon spoke as follows: MY
wife and l." he said, "had separate
rooms At the Hotel Splendide; / went
to my wife's room at midnight;
as approached the door i heard
within the voice of NJ. Abeille;
ran TO my room and got re-
volver; then went TO the secre-
tary of the hotel and asked that he ac-
company me. Together with the Sec
retary l went TO the door of my w;fe's
apartment and demanded entrance:
said that unless the door was opened
| wonld break it open; Mrs. Deacon
opened the door; she was attired in her
night dress and held candle in her
hand; | entered the room and proceeded
toexamine and see if any one was there;
found NJ. Abeille crouched behind
sofa; / fired AT him twice, then /
told the secretary of the hotel TO
call the police; when the police arrived
l gave them the weapon had used;
when l saw the poor, miserable
Abeille looking SO pitiful in his woun-
ded condition, regretted the deed"
Applause was given for this avowal of
MIR. Deacon's. The clerk of the Hotel
Splendide testified that when Deacon
entered the room after shooting Abelille
the bed showed that it had bden occu.
pied by two persons. A
recess was taken at nocn. In
the afternoon session a deposition by
Mrs. Deacon was read, in which she
denied having been intimate with Nj.
Abeille.
Mr.. Deacon continuing his testi-
mony, said: M. Abeille was in his
night-shirt when saw him behind the
sofa; he had his coat over the night
shirt and his trousers were not fully
adjusted; my wife asked my pardon for
her conduct; she has since written me
letters" Judge Auberrin: "She must
be singular woman TO have so soon
forgotten the man who sacrificed his
life in her behalf" MIR. Deacon: 81
believe my wife to be deranged i'm
mind +" Judge Aubertin: 1.-The body of
Nj. Abeille will always be between you"
Mr.. Deacon: 81 have begun proceed.
Ings for divorce A reconciliation
Is impossible" A number of other
witnesses were examined, but no i'm
portant testimony was given, except
that of Paul Beautman, the secretary
OF the hotel in which the tragedy was
committed. Beautman ACCOMPANIED
Deacon to Mrs. Deacon's room, AL d
testified as to the condition of the bed.
1t showed, he said. that ii had been
used by two persons. The procureur
tried in vain to shake Beautman's
testimony on this point. The wit
ness was applauded as he left the
stand. Shortly after 5 o'clock the
prosecuting officer began his argument.
After relating the story Of the married
life of the Deacons, he proceeded to
score in an unmerciful manner the ac-
tions of the prisoner from the time that
he first learned of his wife's infidelity.
1t was not right to kill Abeille under
the circumstances; the husband had
right to kill only when an adul-
terer was proved in his own house;
Deacon knew that his wife and
Abeille were together, yet he remained
quiet in Hamburg. What honest man
would do that: An honest man would
take tue first train that would bear him
to his wife, that he might defend his
and her honor. In his peroration the
prosecutor denounced Mr.. Deacon for
having killed Abeille in cold blood
and premeditation, and asked the jury
to find the prisoner guilty.
Maitre Demange began his address
in behalf of Mr.. Deacon. lie depicted
Mr.. Deacon as man Of honesty and
honor who erred, if at all, On the side
of trustfulness. Deacon for the first
time learned enough on that fatal
night to warrant a suit for divorce
Mrs. Deacon and Abeille were 10.
gether in the room without any light.
Abeille was in his night-shirt and had
on no boots. Two holes were found
in his shirt and only one in his
coat. This told the story Of
his condition with a clearness and
positiveness which no amount OF
oral evidence could set aside.
The judge then charged the jury, who
retired, and after deliberating thirty
five minutes returned verdict Of
"guilty of premeditated wounding, but
not guilty Of premeditated killing"
Deacon was then sentenced to one
years Imprisonment. The announce
ment OF the sentence was greeted with
groans and Kisses by the spectators
In consideration of good behavior Dea-
con will be released at the end Of four
months and fifteen days. He will be
cell prisoner in the Nice prison.
NICE. May 20 Bulletin. -Dea-
con was found guilty and sentenced to