Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-05-26
Edward Parker Deacon Found
Guilty Of the Murder Of
NJ. Abeille.
He Is at Once Sentenced to Serve
a Term Of One Year in
Prison.

for the killing OF NJ. Abeille occurred to-
day before the ass:ze court of the Alpcs
Maritimes.
Deacon was found guilty and sentenced
toa years imprisonment.
The court room is a small, oblong hall,
more like corridor than place OF hold
ing a court OF Justice in a populous dis
trict The room might hold $50 persons if
it was crammed to its fullest capacity.
Mr.. Deacon was brought into the court
room by two gendarmes, who escorted him
to tine 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 as to his Indifference over the kill
ing. ar rs to the result of the trial. were be-
lied by his aspect. A pallor caused either
by anxiety or i'll health, marked
his features That he was nervous
was betrayed by the frequent spasmodlc
contraction OF his eyelids and his mouth.
His voice was firm, however, and in clear
tones and with thorough ease he responded
in perfect French to the questions asked
him bv the procureur. Mrs. Deacon, who
had been formally cited to appear, was
NOT present. Mr.. Deacon, on tn C invitation
of the president of the court, recounted his
relations with his wife, from their marriage
until 1890 Their Lille, he said, was happy
one until they made the acquaintance OF
Abcillc That was in 1887. Abeille's visits
the Deacon home were at first rare, put
they subsequently, became SO frequent that
he objected. Finally these visits led to the
breaking Of the happy domestic relations
that had heretofore existed between him.
self and vie.
THE TRAGEDY.
Mr., Deacon proceeded to rclote the Incl
dents that occurred at Cannes ON Feb. II,
the date of the shooting. He stated
that towards midnight, upon retlr-
ing to his room at the Hotel Splen-
dide, he was seized with suspicious
of his wife, who occupied room on the
floor below. He went to the door of her
room and listened and believed he recog-
nizcd the rough voice Of Abclle. He re-
turned TO his room and procured
revolver. Then he begged the sec
rotary OF the hotel to accompany
him to his wies room. Arrived there, Mr..
Deacon knocked OH the door. Forcing his
way into he saloon he saw just about back
OF sofa head. In pas,ing he Tired three
times at the man. Then he pushed the sofa
aside ard recognized Abeiilc. He advanced
upon Abeillc and seized him, saying
sVous etes bien la" ('Ard SO you are
there have got you.") Abcille made no
reply. Continuing Mr.. Deacon said:
II had no intention, no desire to
kill him. When saw this
little man wounded felt regret Tor man
having some conscience must always regret
killing another man." The audience
greeted this statement with applause
Mr., Deacon said that he had already
commenced an action Tor divorce The
president asked him why he did not avall
himself Of: the law for divorce beore Kill
ing Abeiilc. Deacon's counsel protested
against this question.
MRS. DEACoN's DEPOSITION.
After recess the reading of Mrs. Dcacon's
deposition was commenced. Opening with
the events of February, Mrs. Deacon de-
posed as follows:
NJ Abe;jle came TO see me at 1920 O'Clock in
the evening. l met Inn i'll the snlohe
alone At half past eleven my husband khocAe.l
yolen1ly at 1"G Su aoof there el h IS scr ey with
you" lit a candle and then G!'ened tne aoor.
He Immediately searched the roam thca eN'
From NY room he passed into :ne salon where
NJ. AbeI!ie iI4d hidden DeEiid the sofa to AVOID
my hii,bals! sseiilg the atter h a,. m 10y
discovered linn ami fired at MN three times.
Mr.. Deacon "ent away only alter showing a
dispns:i. oi, to enter Tie room where his victim
was car:,ad in order to attack him again. l
had on i. blue robe de chamber. not d hight
robe as reported.
The deposition tended to prove that the
presence O! Abeillc at the different fashion,
all SWl;Zpriin.i ana on the
Riviera. where she scjourned with
her children. WAS due to 1orce
Of circumstances, and not 10
his following her rs q lOvc: Her husband
always ignored her irendiy relations WIN
Abclile, but, nevertheless. E,e was haoltu-
ated to seeing her and Asll.ie dine to-
pether The dcpoiiton ended: Il desire
to add that Mr.. Deacon is both
ANADMAN AND A DRUSKAED.
For the sake Of nv children desire his &C
ouittal" The reading of the statement that
Mr.. Deacon is crazy and victim OF liquor
caused sensation in the court room,
Y. 1t was brought out during the afternoon
that before the judge q instruction at
Grasse Mr.. Deacon admitted having au.
q thor1Zed his vile to receive ADellle, butnot
under conditions ofintiniacy.
The secretary OF the Hotel Splendide, at
Cannes, testified that me followed Dea'
con into his wife's room. Mrs. Dea.
con was in her night dress. but Later pu'
on robe de chanibre. There were inn
pressions on both bed pillows and two
persons seem to have been in the. bed.
The Judge then charged the jury, who re.
tired. and, after celebrating thirty-five
minutes returned u verdict of guilty o.
prcmed;tated wounding, but not guilty
Of premeditated killing Deacon was
then sentenced to one years imprison.
ment The announcement ofthe sentence
was greeted with groans and misses by the
spectators. In consideration of good be;
hayior Deacon will be released at the end
oftour III onths and fifteen days. He will
be cell prisoner i'll the Nice prison.