The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-17
VIDAL TO LOSE HIS HEAD.
THE FRENCH WOMAN-kILLFR no
BE GUILLOTINED.
Man Of Many Murders Caught = tartar
the Power OF the "sa,ate The
Prisoners Clumsy Acting In court.

Prisoners clumsy Nct'nS !" >V"'''
PARIS. Nov. Henri Vidal. the French
Jack the Ripper" after comparatively
brief trial in the Assizes Court OF the Alpes-
Maritimes last week. was convicted and
sentenced to death Unlike his prede-
cessor in England, Vidal became a woman
killer for money. and very little money at
that. Neither did he conhne his opera
lions entirely TO the class TO which Jack
exclusively paid attention. Vidal was not
particular in the matter ~ selection Tie
went abroad at night armed with carving
knife just 10 kill some woman, as he
boldly admitted In court. But, a. he knew
that the testimony against him was crush
ing and conclusive, this dramatic admission
on his part was fully appreciated 10y IN"
Jury II was part Of his insanity plea,
tho last chance for his neck All through
his trial there was too much method IN
his madness, and in the clear light 81 III"
robberies of the dead bodies Of his victims
the miserable motive Of his crimes was
fully revealed. From one cadaver he
took a pair Of earrings and little pocket
book containing few francs, the scanty
wages Of sin. From another all that he
gained, or AT least all that was traced di
rectly 10 him. was a ring, which he pawned
Had he lived some forty odd years ago
he would doubtless have been business
partner of Dumollard the wholesale
butcher Of servant girls
Vidal stood calm and collected through
out his trial His answers to the Court
were carefully made, all attempting TO
prove that he was the victim Of hypnotism
or something akin to II, and that, conse
auently. he was not responsible.
Now as TO his responsibility, Prof. La
cassagne Of the faculty Of Lyons was
called The result Of the doctors ex-
animation was that Vidal was superior
degenerate. The doctor added that the
accused could only invoke mere fraction
biity that can he claimed in behalf of
creatures Of his kind The other experts
refused to allow him any claim even to
that fraction. So the jury convicted him
and remained silent on the question of
the Alternating circumstances.
II Is not necessary, fortunately, TO follow
the horrible details OF the testimony against
Vidal Suffice il to say that the chief witt
ness for the prosecution was strong and
handsome young woman, who had learned
the sor1te. In attempting to butcher her
Vidal caught a tartar. He cut and she
the one which the court said saved her
life, laid the assassin helpless on the floor
Vidal was caught.
And now in appearance what sort Of
monster is this Nidal' Here Is his pen
picture: He Is IS years old, Of medium
stature and with a most repulsive face
His forehead is low; his hooked hose il
extremely long; his lips are thick and
coarse; his eyes are small. round and
piercing. with a hard expression increased
by the depth from which they glare under
his great eyebrows.
He listened to the verdict unmoved
he refused to sign an appeal, remarking
that II was useless. and that after ALL he
was rather glad to know that his neck
would be cut THAT at last" he said.
will put an end to my suferings.'
His personal appearance. his crimes and
his attitude In court bring back the ghost
Of Dumollard. The last words OF that
butcher as he stood upon tho scaffold are
among the most remarkable in the history
OF the gnillotine. Brushing aside the i'm
ploring priest. after telling him that he
wanted none OF his nonsense. Dumollard
called out to one OF the assistants: Jacques,
tell my wife that the Duval woman owes
vs. three. franosl"
What will Vidal say on the scafrold?