Putnam patriot., 1930-02-27
Leon Trudeau Charged With Murdering Wife on Web
 ster- Thompson Road
Question of Jurisdietsou May Be
 Raised Later


 
 Leon Trudeau. 28, of Webster, is being held for the Worcester county grand jury, charged with the murder of his wife. Mrs. Cecilia Trudeau, whose dead and battered body was found on the Th0mpson- Webster road, carly Sunday morning. "I'll tell you the truth, I'll tell you the truth Trudeau is alleged to have exclaimed after being grilled all of Sunday night at the Webster police station. The break came when the accused was confronted with a photograph of the battered and bruised body of his wife.
 There is an angle to the case that has aroused the interest of Connecti- cut officers and State Policeman John Murphy was sent 10 Webster, Mon day to check-up on the crime and the story told by Trudeau. which leads to some uncertainty as to whether the murder, if murder there was, was committed on the Connecticut side or the Massachusetts side of the state line. There is reason to believe that the quarrel, which ended in Mrs. Tru- deau's death. started in Wilsonville, which is in Windham county, Connec- ticut The body was found some dis tance over the Massachusetts border. If the story alleged to have been told by Trudeau is true it is a case for Worcester county authorities. Gruesome Find
 Milkmen making an early Sunday morning trip to Webster discovered i Mrs. Trudeau's dead body and noti- l fled the authorities. Livid finger prints on the woman's throat and l dlscolored face. bruises on other parts ] Of her body. and the general condi- ] tiou of the surroundings led to an i'm mediate discard of the hit-and-run driver theory and the officers knew that they had more serious situation confronting them.
 1t was some time before che iden- ] tity of the des3 woman was disclosed. ilfs. John Manski. mother of Mrs. Trudeau, had kept an all-night vigil waiting for her daughter to come home. The mother said the daughter had promised 10 return at nine O. clock. She had never before stayed out all night and had always kept her word.
 H of her daughter six years ago and the separation three years later. follow ed by considerable discord, led the police to look Tor the husband. He was not at his home in Webster. Later in the day Worcester police informed Webster officers that Trudeau was in custody in that city.
 It is understood that Trudeau had on several occasions visited his wife's home and attempted to see her. Ac- eerdiug to the mother her daughter was afraid If Trudeau.
 Offers an Aiibi
 Following his arrest Trudean set up an alihi He is employed in Wor- eester He said he was not in Web ster Saturday night but that he arriN- ed home early Sunday morning. He was at loss to account for a period of time Saturday night and his eea- flicting stories convinced his inquis- itors that he was not telling the truth Hour after hour dragged on until Monday morning dawned. Still the questioning continued. 1t was not until about eleven o'clock that Tru- deau showed signs of weakening. ln his alleged confession he still main fained that he did not kill his wife Her death was the result Of her jump ing from the automobile. according to the accused.
 Trudeau told the officers of arrang- ing a meeting with Mrs. Trudeau for Saturday night. As he poured out his story tears streamed down his face. He emphasized that he did not know his wife was dead when he left her He asserted that there was battle raging in the Chevrolet coach while he drove some miles. Finally Mrs. Trudeau wrcnched herself free and jumped out of the car. He did not stop to investigate but speeded up his ear and went Go call on another woman.
 The couple rode to Wilsonville, ac- cording Co Trudeau. and there a quar- rel started. Finally he grasped her about the neck and gradually tighten ed his hold. She pounded and kicked and grabbed the steering wheel. At last she tore away from him and leap- ed from the car.
 Near the Border
 The whole tragedy happened not far from the border of the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts. This may inject technicality into the trial of the accused is he is indicted for homicide by the Worcester county grand jury. Broadly the law is that the crime O. murder Is committed in the jurisdiction where the act is com mitted and not in that jurisdiction where the victim of the act may die. In the event that Trudeau's attacks upon his wife were all committed in Connecticut and she died after the Massachusetts state line had been crossed Connecticut would presum- ably be the place of trial. If the wom- aR was alive after the Massachusetts line was crossed. even though the at tackS were continued over the state line doubtless Massachusetts would have jurisdiction. If the accused sticks Go his story that his wife vol untarilv jumped from the car and thas met her death this raises another barrier Co be torn down by evidence during the prosecution of Trudeau. assuming be is indicted