Evening star., 1921-12-01
|'BLUEBEARD' GUILTY
OF Staying ELEVEN
Receives Verdict With
"Thank You, Gentlemen"
and Mocking Bow 70 Jury.
By the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
VERSAILLES, December Henri
Desire Landru. the "Bluebeard OF
Gambais." smiled last night for the
first time since his trial opened. A
fiickering expression Of amusement
crossed his face as he listened to the
words Of Judge Gilbert sending him
to the guillotine for q series OF the
most heinous crimes in the history of
French Jurisprudence.
Thank you, gentlemenl" said Ian
dru, hourishing his weather-beaten
hat in a mocking bow to tho Jury. and
he disappeared through the little door
leading to the Versailles Jail.
Consoles His Attorney.
While the verdict was awaited. the
convicted slayer Of ten women and
boy spoke words Of encouragement to
his counsel. M. Moro-Giaffer. who,
tired and worn out after his strenu-
Gus efforts to save his client from
death. was on the verge Of collapse. {.
"Strange 1t is that man standing
in the shadow of death should console
his defender" Landru remarked at
one time to those sitting nearby.
NJ. Moro-Giafferj in his address cast
doubt on all the evidence produced
by the prosecution. He reminded the
Jury that a person could be proclaim
ed legally dead only when they hao
been missing thirty years. In support
of his client he cited cases OF persons
who were missing having returned
had been abandoned. He also refer
red to notable cases of alleged mis-
carriage Of justice based on circum-
stantial evidence.
Declared White SLAYER.
"A white SLAYER. yes; an assassin,
never" exclaimed M. Moro-Giaferi.
pointing toward Landru. He added
that the possession by the prisoner
Of papers Identifying his alleged vic
tins corroborated the theory that
Landru probably had sent the women
abroad with false papers in white
slave" traffic.
These women all are alive" said
NJ Moro-Gianeri, referring to the ten
women Landru was charged with
killing. but they are ashamed to
make their whereabouts known. Make
a thorough search of the United States
and Brazil, Argentina and other
South American countries, and 1 am
confident you will find Landru's So
called victims"
Refuses to Ask Mercy.
II am innocent" Landru shouted to
the jury. This was the first time in
the thirty-two months since he was
arrested that the prisoner had used
the word innocent" in public. Here
tofore he had contented himself with
saying: Show me my guilt: make out
your case" Today. however. he was
showing more emotion than at any
time during his trial.
Landru refused to be a party to
a petition asking President Mile
rand to commute the sentence to life
imprisonment, which was signed,
among others. by the jurors.
the latter. "A man like mo wants
Justice. not mercy. You think 1 am
guilty: then let me diet"
His remarks after reaching tho cell
were also characteristic Of this
strange character. the record Of whose
deeds as unfolded in the dingy Yer
sail1es courtroom has drawn the at
tention Of all France and Of thousands
OF persons in other countries.
Pickpockets Busy.
1T has been a great show" he said.
II hope the public is satisfied I
give you q rendezvous for the begin
ming Of February or the end of March
to show you how an innocent man
dies"
The last hours Of the trial saw one
of the greatest crowds at and around
the courtroom ever seen in Versailles.
Pickpockets began operations in the
press of the gathering while the jury
was out and three men complained
that their wallets had been taken.
IF the trial lasted another day
would be unable to find a seat myself"
Landru told the gendarmes as he sur
veyed the throngs struggling to enter
after the recess.
Promised Marriage.
Landru seduced his women victims
through promises OF marriage. After
Turing them to his valla at Gambais,
the prosecution charged. he killed
them and disposed Of tho bodice by
burning them In q small stove airer
first cutting them into small pieces