New-York tribune., 1911-02-17
PRISONERS FOUND GUILTY
Count de Lassy Sentenced for
Life; PantChenko for Is Years.
NINE. MURAVIEFf GOES FREE
Sister of the Murdered Count
Bouturlin Will Go to Siberia
with Her Husband.

81. Petersburg, Feb iS-The sensational
trial Of Count Patrick O'Brien de Lassy,
Dr. Pantchenko and Nine Muravieft.
charged with the murder OF Count Vassili
Bouturlin, came to All end tonight. when
a verdict of guilty was returned by the
Jury in the case OF De Lassy and Pant
chenko and not guilty in the case Of the
woman.
De Lassy was sentenced 70 penal servi-
tlde for life and Pantchenko TO fifteen
years Imprisonment. The jury noted ex-
tenuating circumstances in Fantchsnko's
favor. which accounts for the lighter pun
ishnrent neted out TO him.
The trial aroused enormous interest and
developed some startling testimony. Prior
70 the beginning Of the proceedings Pant
chenko made a. confession, In which he ac-
cused De Lassy OF hiring him 70 poison
Count Vassili who was heir to General
Bouturlin's millions De Lassy's wife Is
the daughter Of General Bcuturlin. and the
removal of vassili naturally would mean
that the generals great estate would go TO
his daughter.
On the witness stand Pantchenko denied
the confession and made so many erretic
statements that he came 10 be thought
practically insane. Much evidence was ad-
duced, however. 10 show that he and De
Lassy had very intimate dealings together.
At the end Of the trial De Lassy was quite
overcome. He attempted 10 make speech
to the jury, but ended abruptly by saying:
II cannot talk leave the fate OF my
self and relatives 10 your minds and your
hearts"
Pantchenko. in an incoherent speech said
that he did not repudiate his confession
but wished to specify the degree of his
guilt. He said that the question nou was
whether a Russian physician was capable
Of such a dastardly crime. and 10 this he
proudly answered no.
Petropsvlovsky, he declared wishing
fame, was the author OF the poisoning
story and a newspaper helped him.
De Lassy did exhort me TO poison Bou-
turlin." continued Pantchenko, and think
ing that / had accidentally poisoned him
l told the magistrate so. But this confes-
sion seer1ed too little for him. He con
tinually drummed into my ears Confess,
confess and suggested various potsons.
Finally, in a weak moment l told myself
that 81 the truth doesn't serve then / Will
lie / mentioned toxin The magistrate then
said. Now. We are going 10 be friends.
Whatever the verdict may be. my con-
science is tranquil with reference 10 Bou-
turlin, bat tortures me because Of four
families whose peace / have violated out
Of rank fear"
Nine Muravief refused 10 say anything
The jury retired and remained out for
three hours
De Lassy's wife expressed her beliet ir
his innocence and said she would go tc
Siberia with him. De Lassy heard the
verdict coolly. and remarked 70 the jury
Nevertheless. am innocent / will spenC
the rest Of my life proving il.
He then turned TO his counsel and salC
nonchalently: Still, I 60 10 Siberia witt
million. Had ! confessed ] would have
gone without the million" This was IN
terpreted 10 mean that in event Of con
fession his wife would have abandoned him
General Bouturlin has announced new
DISPOSITION Of his fortune. the bulk 0
which now goes to his nephew. Count Sal
tyhof De Lsssy's wife will receive 800
annually and his sons widow 5000 an
nually.