The Sun. — 1851-07-30 (London, England)

ATROCIOUS MURDER IN PARIS. The police arrested on Sunday the young man rho murdered a girl named Juliette Flame in a publichouse in the Rue du Cherche-Midi. His name is Joseph Humble:, his age 19, and his occupation that of a waiter in a coffee-house. The arrest was effected at 110, Rue St. Honor 4, in the residence of 'a concierge, who is a friend of his mother. He readily answered the questions put to him, and made this statement:—" I know," be said, " that I have committed a horrible murder, and I know the fate that awaits me. But las not a monster—l was distracted—l had an attack of brain fever. During eight months," he continued, " I had intimate relations with Juliette; I loved her passionately, but at last I fancied I perceived she deceived me. Ido not know whether I was right or wrong, but a violent jealousy took possession of me, and I resolved to kill her first, and myself afterwards. I was under the idlc.ence of these ideas when I met her on Wednesday. We went into the public-house, and ascended to a bedroom. A bottle of wine was brought us, and Juliette seated herself on the bed. It was nearly nine o'clock, and vertigo seized me. I passed my hand over her throat, which appeared to surprise her; but before she had time to make any observation I seized a razor which I had for some time carried in my pocket, and, in one cut, made a severe wound in the throat. Poor wretch! She had only time to cry Mother! mother!' when she fell dead. I was troubled, and for a few moments knew not what 1 did. But at last I recovered my self-possession. I washed the blood iron my hands and face. I opened the door, but when half-way down the staircase, the idea of seeing her again recurred to me, and I went and kissed her fur the last time. I hurried away. I went to the river and washed my trousers. Afterwards I went home, and said to my father and mother, Kiss me, to you will see me no more; I am a great criminal, and deserve the scaffold!' In their stupor they did not think of stopping me. I went out of Paris and slept in a lodging-house at one of the barriers. In the morning I was agitated, and did not know where to go. So I resolved to commit suicide. But before dying I determined to try to see Juliette once again. I went to the Morgue, where I thought her body would be taken; but I arrived too late—she had been recognised by her mother, and the body had been removed. I listened to what was said in the crowd. ' A young girl has been murdered,' they said, ' and the murderer afterwards threw the body into the river.' I shrugged my shoulders and went away. I went to a church, with the intention of confessing to a priest, but not finding one, I wandered about the streets for some time, and at last left Paris. I only returned this morning. And now I have only to request that I may be condemned to death. My repentance and my chastisement will open to me the gates of heaven, and it is there alone that I. can hope to see Juliette again." This statement was made with the greatest calmness. Tho prisoner had on a shirt stained with the blood of his victim. The expression of his features is remarkably mild. He had procured himself a passport for a foreign country.