The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-04-12
Capt. Jean Herail Acquitted
by Courtmartial for
Shooting His Wife
ROMANCE OF
THE FRENCH ARMY
Wife Refused to Leave Him
in Violation Of
Orders

Paris, April l2.-Captain Jean Herail
an officer in the French cavalry, wa,
tried by court-martial Saturday for kill
ing his wife at Compaigne last Novem
Der because she persisted in following the
army to be near him, in direct violation
of orders issued by the military author.
tiles, and was acquitted When Captain
Heral was sent to the front his wife
to whom he was deeply attached, ascer-
tanned that he was stationed at Com
paigne, and went there to visit him. The
French commander in chief had Just is
sued circular prohibiting all officers
and soldiers from receiving their wives
during the campaign.
A superior officer demonstrated with
Captain Herail and though the captain
endeavored TO persuade his wife to re-
turn home, she continued to postpone her
departure. A second warning was given
the captain with no better result, and
when third warning came he was told
he would be cashiered unless Nine He
rail Immediately left. This she refused
to do and the cavalry officer, fearing
dishonor and degradation, shot and killed
the woman. For some time after the
crime Herail was mental and physical
wreck, and it was feared that he would
not survive Recently, however, the cap
tain recovered and was turned over to
the military police by the hospital au-
thorities for the trial by court martial
which was held Saturday.
Captain Herail was acquitted by vote
of five TO two. There was great APP
plause through the court room when the
verdict was announced. NJ. Henri-Rob.
ert, attorney for the defense, whose plea
lasted scarcely 20 minutes, received his
share of the applause.
Seldom has a more pathetic scene been
witnessed in Paris court than when
Captain Herail took the stand in his own
defense. The soldier wept as he told OF
the great love which he bore for his wife
and OF how, when she steadfastly re-
fused TO return home, and he believed
that he would be cashiered, he became
mad and was driven TO the |
last extremity" OF killing her. The court |
room was crowded with women and off |
GERS, and as Captain Herail sobbed out |
his story many OF them shed tears OF
Captain Herail told Of the mutual love
which prompted his wife to refuse to be
from him while he was at the
front. and Of his own loyal life. you
do not realize how great was the. love
had for my wife" he said brokenly
When | believed | would be cashiered
because of her determined refusals to re-
turn home, although implored her time
md again. became mad. absolutely mad.
and was driven 10 the last extremity
Here the captain broke down and sobbed
for five minutes.
Colonel Jsequillst, who presided over
he court, reproved Captain Herail sharp
y for placing all the blame upon his
wife. and asked why he did not use some
'ther method than 10 shoot her. II did "
eplied the captain. Il tried every means
was unstrung; ] was out of my mind
o kill the wife | loved" Captain Herail
vent into many details Of his happy mar .
led life. bis testimony lasting for an
our. Eight times he was overcome.
Colonel Moinevile, comma nding Gap
ain Heraifs regiment, the llth hussars,
estifed regarding the orders which had
cen communicated 10 officers forbidding
wives from visiting their husbands at
he front. He spoke of the defendants