The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-05-21
DEAC0N'S TRIAL.
II Is Attended by the Aristoc-
rscy Of Nice.
It's Weather Was SuffocHting, But the Ladies
We're Eager, and Famed Themselves
throughout the Session.

NICE, May 2o.-The trial OF Edward r.
Deacon, the American, for killing his
wifes parsmeur, III Aoeille, began this
morning. The courtroom WIS crowded
with prominent people, including many
la3ies OF fashion attired in elegant COS
tunes. The weather was wsrm, and, as
tha crowd sat in the courtroom, the tenn
rerature became almost suffocating This
has DO effect upon the eagerness Of the
iadiss who sat calmly tanning themselves
throughout the session, paying the closest
GltaGtion TO every thing said and done.
TAG crowd in the gallery was composed
sl,ccst entirely Of mem pers of the aTisto-
craiir circle of Nice. Hardly @ dozen
Americans or Englishmen were seen.
Judge Auburtou was president of the
court on the bench, and Count DumoiroE,
procurer of the republic, represented the
prosecution. Deacon was represented by
Maitre Demonge, a celebrated advocate of
the Paris bar and w. Goir, an equally
well known lawyer of Paris; Frank Pill
Cannes. The Abielle family, though not
taking any part il the proceedings, was
represented by Msitre Lalrolle.
AS Deacon was brought into the court
room by gen d'armes all eyes were directed
upon him Pallor marked his features. He
looked neither TO the right nor to the left,
but concentrated all his attention upon the
judicial bench. Deacon is fifty years OF age,
his thin hair showing gray. That ne is
nervous was betrayed by the frequent
sp6sulodic contraction OF the eyelids and
mouth. The voice was firm, however. In
clear tones, with thorough ease, he re-
sponded, through an interpreter, to the
questions asked him by the procureur
Mrs. Deacon, who had been formally cited
10 appear, was not present.
On invitation from the president Of tho
court, Deacon detailed the facts Of his mar
ried life. which, he said, was happy until
his wife met Abeille. He then proceeded
to tell the story of the growing intimacy
between them and his efforts 10 have her
to break with her lover, their frequent
ouarrels and reconciliations and finally his
discovery of her in night dress in her room
in the Hotel Splendide with Abeille, and
the killing Of the latter in what appeared
10 be fiRgrsnte delictu.
Mrs. Deacon's deposition was read 1t
closed thus: IL desire TO add that Deacon
is both a mailman and drunkard, but for
she sake Of my children l desire his &C
euitt2L'
Mrs. Deacon's deposition was evidently
prepared with hostile spirit. Deacon on
the stand told of the doubts and wranglec
between himself aud wife, the suspicious
employment of detectives without precise
results for a divorce between the pair anG
tie details Of the final tragedy which
closed the marital relations, after which
he went TO Genoa and heard Mrs. Deacon
and Abeille had been there and left to
gether. Later his wife joined
him in Genoa and he became
convinced no evil had been done agains
his honor and he spologized to HE wife fol
the accusations he made. Reconciliation
followed and the family went to AK
whence Deacon went 10 America. Return
ing in December, 1891, he found Abein'
paying daily visits to his wife. He en-
ployed detectives, one of whom reported
his wife meeting Abeille at house desig
mated. Trodble arose between the two
and both desired divorce.
When Mrs. Deacon learned that detec
tives were watching her, she became
highly incensed. Deacon proceeded Il
relate the incidents occurring at Canne
on Feb. Il, the date of the shooting. h,
stated that towards midnight, upon retir
ing to his room at the Hotel Splendid, hl
was seized with suspicious regarding hi
wife, who occupied room on the hool
ABOVE. He went TO the door Of her room
and listened, and believed he recognized
the voice of Abeille. he returned to hi
own room and procured c revolver. Thel
he begged the secretary of the hotel 10 ac
company him to his wlfe's room. Arrivinl
there Deacon knocked on the door. Fore
ing his way into the salon, he saw jus
above the back Of the sofa head, at whicl
be fired three times. He then pushed III
sofa aside and recognized Abeilie, robe
mute as reported.
Imrs Deodet maid Of Mrs. Deacon, test
FED as to the occurrences on the night o
the shooting She said: al Quilted my mis-
tress at 10:45, after finishing her nigh
toilet. She wore robe de chambre warml
lined, under which was only her night
dress. When l LETT her she was alone, an
three-quarters of an hour later Twas Gale
by Mrs. Deacon, who ordered me to atten
Abeille. who was wounded by her husband
/ raised his head and asked him If he wa
badly wounded. lie replied feebly:
have three bullets in me-
Witness added that when she left Abeill
to inform the police she noticed the dil
order of his attire. Mrs. Deacon wa
dressed as she had been when the witnes
left her.
In cross-examination the witness sGiC
when AbeIlle dined with Mrs. Deacon sh
always told MIR. Deacon she was going I
take dinner elsewhere. Secretary c
the hotel testified that Mr.
Deacon wss certainly clad i
a white robe when the door opened. Afte
they entered the room she put on blu
robe. Upon entering the room Deaco
had a short struggle with his wife durin
which AbeiIle ran into the salon and too
refuge behind sofa, where Deacon fire
AZ him. Deacon returned TO his wife
bed room ana asked the witness to note
his wife's bed the impressions of the bodiG
of TWO persons. Witness remarked thel
were impressions On both pillows.
The procureur severely criticized Il
secretary, declaring be assumed a NOR
responsibility which most men wou
rather avoid.
Deacon was sentenced to one years in
prisonment.