New Britain herald., 1929-01-05
LOUISIANA PAIRS
STATUS IN DOUBT
CONTINUED from First Page)

the I.ebouef-Dreher case over the
question whether or not they should
hang.
Two days ago Governor Long re-
fused clemency to the pair after
favorable recommendation from the
pardon board. The refusal caused an
open and dramatic break between
the governor and Paul N. Cyr,
lieutenant governor and u member
Of the board. who charged publicly
that the governor deliberately
double-crossed me-" -
Cyr In his break with the gov
ernor charged that Long had shown
favoritism In committing the SEN
tence of q New Orleans slayer and
the governor replied that in their
recommendation for clemency in the
case the pardon board told ME they
thought this was an accidental kill
ing
Scouts Claims
Governor Long secuted any other
claim in the Lebouef case than
cold blooded murder" after his re-
view Of the records. Not one person
in Louisiana" Governor Long stated,
thinks that any pistols or guns went
off accidentally on Lake Palourde
when James Lebouef died"
Mrs. Lebouef and DIR. Dreher are
now convicted for the staying OF
James J. Lebouef, the woman's hus-
band. whose body was found in Lake
Palourde, weighted down with angle
irons, some IS months ago.
} A determined fight was made here
yesterday by defense attorneys to
save the lives of their clients on
the grounds of insanity, but Judge
James D. Simon. who presided at the
trial. ruled that the woman and ply
stefan were sane and refused to ap-
point 4 lunacy commission.
Rush in Autos
After the hearing the attorneys
; sped by automobile to New Orleans
where they appeared before the five
members OF the supreme court in
an attmpt to obtain stay of exc
cution and compel Judge Simon to
appear before the high court and
show cause why he should not ap-
point a lunacy commission.
The hearing over, four associate
justices announced that the writs
, were denied and Associate Justice
Brunot instructed the sheriff by
telephone to proceed with the exc
cution.
Let me talk to the sheriff." Chief
Justice O'Neill, who had issued a
writ to stay the execution, interpos-
! ed.
Don't execute those people to-
morrow" he shouted through the
f telephone to the sheriff. "One judss
: has the right to issue the writ. and as
: chief justice of this court l order
. that the executions be stayed"
l O'Neill declared he was empower
: ed by the state constitution to pre-
I vent the hangings. The four dissent.
1 ing justices. Brunot. Overton. Rogers
\ and Land, held that as Majority Of
:. the court their decision was final.
e In granting the stay OF execution
]. Chief Justice O'Neill ordered Judg,
= Simon and Sheriff Pecot to appeal
!. before the supreme court next Fri
= day and show cause why the lunac.
S commission should not be appointed
h Slain July 1927
u Lebouef was slain July 1, 1927
8 Mrs. Lebouef and DIR. Dreher were
!. arrested and found guilty of tn,
: crime along with James Beadle
II Morgan City trapper, who drew 1
: life sentence which he is serving
e DR.. Dreher commended at the tria
q that Beadle fired the fatal shot
4 while Beadle blamed the physician
u The state claimed that a love af
u fair between. Mrs. Lebouef and DIR
. Dreher was the motive and that the,
: conspired to slay the womans hus
band.