The Sun. — 1840-12-25 (London, England)

COLD BLOODED MURDER.  (From the Gazette des Tribunaux.) A landed proprietor, named Pierre Boisserie, was charged with the murder of a managing farmer in his employ, named Jean Paulard, under very aggravated circumstances. The widow and children of the deceased had alsobreught a civil action to recover damages for the loss sustained by his death. It appeared that Pierre Boisserie, the prisoner, possessed a small estate at Serveles, in the commune of Cudare, and had employed a farmer to cultivate his lands and share their produce, named Jean Paulard, who had given up the farming -of the property since the Bth September, and engaged himself to another proprietor. There remained, however, some potatoes and other matters still to be divided between them, and Paulard was to go to Servales on a certain day to arrange the division of the potatoes, and carry away his portion. Previously to this it appeared that several altercations had taken place between Paulard and Boisserie. On one occasion, indeed, they had come to blows, and Boisserie was thrown down by his man, in consequence of which a good deal of animosity had continued to exist between them. The sth of October was the day fixed for the division of the potatoes, and on the morning of that day, as if by presentiment that something would happen, Paulard went to th. Mayor of the commune, and requested him to go to the potato field and be present at the division ; but unhappily his other avocations took the Mayor elsewhere, and he was obliged to refuse compliance with the request of Paulard. About three o'clock in the afternoon Boisserie arrived in the field on horeback, followed by his servant and two witnesses, which he had had the precaution to bring with him. Paulard had not yet arrived, and when the propietor came to the ground, the only person in Paulard's interest was his sister-in-law. Boisserie insisted upon proceeding with the business, but the siiter-in-law objected on the ground of Paulard not being present, and of his wish being that the division should take place in the presence of the Mayor. She, however, yielded to Boisserie, who urged that the division should proceed, and one sack was filled and put aside for Paulard, while a second was carried away into the house by the master. Oil his return he found Paulard on the ground, who complained and said all the potatoes ought to be carried into the house before the division was made. "They must be divided here," said Boisserie, " you shall hare your share ; you have got your share already." What do you mean by saying I have got my share ?" said Paulard, advancing towards his late employer with menacing looks. " Do not approach me." replied the !anti- ; " for, believe me, if you do, and if you dare to touch me, I am armed, and will blow your brains out." Paulard then retired, went back to the potatoes, and began to fill his baskets and empty them into the cart, while Boisserie stood near hint with a pistol in his hand. The next moment he fired and wounded Paulard in the abdomen. He immediately took flight, and the wounded man ran after him, but being mortally wounded, his strength soon failed him, and he fell exhausted to the ground. His wife, however, who was near him, pursued the murderer, and would have overtaken him, but his servant threw her down and fell upon her ; upon which he returned and helped his servant to maltreat the unfortunate widow—for widow she almost was by this time, Paulard having breathed his last in less than forty-eight hours af,er this time. Besides a widow he left two very young children. The prisoner was defended by M. Saint-Luc-Courborien, a young barrister, who lately quitted the stage for the bar. His brilliant speech called forth the wellmerited compliments of the Procureur-General and the President of the Court. The jury, after three-quarters of an hour's deliberation, returned a verdict against the prisoner of guilty, but with extenuating circumstances ; and the Court sentenced him to six years' hard labour, the surveillance of the police for life, and the payment of 5,000 f. dainAges (dommages interets) for the widow and children of the deceased :-I,ooof. for the widow, and 2,000 f. each for the two children.