The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1865-03-25 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SHOCKING MURDER BY A SON.  A most extraordinary Case of parricide has been brought before the asszes of the Puy de Dome, in France and occupies public attention. Au old couple, named 'Pelissier Grimardiar, were living at the beginning of 1860 in the town of Meringues, the husband being then seventy years of age and the wife sixty. Pelissier had been an oki soldier of the First En:mile, but had turned baker. He had a son, Jean, who was married, but had no children, and a daughter, Francoise, married to one Moraud. From his youth Jean Peliesier had been remarked in the neighbourhood tor the brutality of his character. He had of latter years constantly been heard to say that when people's Parents became old and useless, they ought to be got rid of. In December, lKa, Jean Pelissier was imprisoned for having thrown a wooden shoe at a girl's head, lie had often struck his wife with an iron instrument used in the process of baking. His only companion was a returned convict. In fact he was considered one of the worst characters in Maringtfes, whereas the rest of the family were much respected. In the beginning of MO quarrels as to money matters between him and his parents arose, and Jean succeeded in inducing the whole family to set out for Ilium, a town nineteen kilometres from Meringues, to consult a lawyer, He, however, managed to send home his wife and sister, who were much surprised next day at the non-appearance of the old couple or of Jean, who did not return till midnight, when he stated that his father had met an old comrade, one named Sena, who had s very profitable wine business at Marseilles, whither he had induced his parents) to accompany him. In a few days Jean read aloud a letter from his father to his wife and sister, in which the old man begged he would join him at Marseilles, and bring with him a supply of clothes for himself and his mother. Jean left home immediately, and returned in the course of a few days, reporting most favourably of his father's new business' stating that his mother assisted in Sene's shop, and that both were making considerable sums of money. It roust be, remembered that neither his wife nor sister could read. _  During the yeare Is6o, '6l, and'(, Jean from timo to thue read out similar letterg and aboeuted himself from home, invariably returning with money, which  be stated his parents In-td given him. Meanwhile his sister repeatedly expressed a wish to accompany him on a visit to her parents, and at last insisted on doing so last May; and in spite of all the difficulties jean raised to her journey, she commenced her preparations, when on the 11th Jean received a letter from Sent., announcing the death of old Madame Pelissier, and stating that just as the old man was starting for Maringues to inform his family of her death he himself died of apoplexy. Jean set off instantly in a state of most demonstrative affliction. A sudden doubt flashed across the mind of his sister. She in quired at the post-office, and on ascertaining that no letter from Marseilles had been delivered to her brother she felt convinced that he had murdered her parents. Jean made his appearance at the end of tao days. A frightful scene ensued. To the appeals of his family as to what he had done with his parents, he replied, "That is my secret. What has been .lone will benefit you all, and I abide the consequences." His sister, frantic with grief and horror, and perfectly convinced .d his guilt, took him apart, and implored him to save the honour of the family, and commit suicide rather than memo the scaffold. A few hours later the poor creature, struck with remorse for having suggested a fresh crime to her brother, and maddened by despair, cut her own throat. The police having got scent of the suicide and of its motive succeeded in capturing Jean, who had left Marineues the night of his sister's death. The idea is that .lean packed his father's and mother's bodies into a huge box, which some men belongirg to the railway station at Riom remember to have had considerible difficulty in placing a truck. The sentence of the court was hard labour for life, in consequence of extenuating circumstances. What these were our readers will fail to discover; however, the man's fate is worse than if he bad been sentenced to the guillotine.