This money Chantrelle says he sent to an aunt in Nantes to present to the Nantes Hospital.
In a second statement he modifies what he has said about his wife’s health and state of mind. He states she was subject to fits of depression and threatened to take her life.
He had given her chloral hydrate, in the form of syrup of chloral, once or twice a month, to make her sleep at night, or as a stimulant during the day.
He was positive his wife had died from gas poisoning. He had discovered a broken gas pipe behind the shutter at the window, he had no idea there was such a pipe there.
The case came up for trial on May 7, 1878, before Lord Chief Justice Moncrieff.
The prisoner came into court, or was brought rather, dressed in mourning, wearing the white wrist bands then the masculine vogue for mourners. He was pale, but perfectly composed, and pleaded not guilty.
It was the endeavor of the prosecution to prove the cause of Elizabeth Chantrelle’s death, and the part if any, taken by her husband in causing it.
It was plainly not suicide as the victim had been cheerful on the day preceding death, and had told a friend she would write to her in a day or two.
Threats of Poisoning
It was proved that Chantrelle was acquainted with the use of poisons, that he had opium in his possession, and that he had tried to mislead all persons concerned as to the cause of death.
He had protested innocence before being accused. He had been the first to mention poisoning in connection with himself.
Mary Byrne testified that two nights after the death there were policemen in the house, and Chantrelle said to her: “I wonder what brings them about the place. Do they want to make out that I poisoned my wife?”
The gas pipe behind the shutter in Mrs. Chantrelle’s bedroom from which Chantrelle claimed came the escape of gas, was found to have been broken in such a way that it could not have been accidental, and Mary Byrne distinctly saw her master move away from the shutter.
Not until then was the slightest smell of gas escaping. It was only a few moments after the servant had noticed the smell that she ran down and turned the gas off at the meter. The gas was not on long enough to hurt any one.
As to Chantrelle’s statement that he did not know there was a gas pipe there, plumbers gave evidence that he had stood by and watched them repair that very same pipe about a year earlier.
Chantrelle was the last person with deceased, and had given her orange and lemonade during the night. Their married relationship was bad, and witnesses had heard him threaten to poison Elizabeth in such a way as to defy detection.
The Boy Testifies
A most damaging item was the matter of insurance in relation to his dislike of his wife, his desire to be rid of her, and his pecuniary difficulties. The man was desperate for money to indulge his vices. He was at this time drinking a bottle of whisky a day, no watered stuff, but real Scotch. His creditors were pressing him.
Almost the first witness called by the prosecution was Eugene, the oldest child. He stood upon a stool in the witness box, and the Lord Advocate softened his gruff tones as he questioned the boy.
“I am the eldest of the family. Last New Year’s day I had breakfast in the parlor with mamma and papa. Mamma had bacon, toast and tea to breakfast.
“Mamma sent me to look for a toy and when I returned, she was in the parlor. Mary was out, and I think Louis opened the door. I asked mamma if she was going out with baby, but I think she said ‘No.’ She was ill, though she did not say what was the matter with her. Papa came downstairs a little while afterward.
“He came into the parlor where we were and I think mamma said to him she was a little ill. Papa went out after that, taking Louis with him. They were out a good long while. After they went out mamma lay down on the sofa while I took baby.
“Mamma went into the dining room and I remained in the parlor with baby. I next saw mamma in the kitchen. I went up to the bedroom and when I came down again, she was in the parlor where I read her a story.
“When she was sitting at the parlor fire she vomited. It was like water. I was beside her and I held her head. She did not ask me to do it, but I did it because she did it to mine sometimes. I told papa when he came back. I think papa asked mamma if she were better and she said, ‘No.’
“It was near dinner time and he asked mamma if she had been having champagne. She said she had not and he asked if she would like lemonade. She said she would and I was sent for three or four bottles.
“Papa also sent me and Louis for some grapes. We dined about five o’clock, but mamma did not eat anything. She lay down on the sofa. After dinner she put baby to bed and lay down beside him.
“That would be about six o’clock. I took her some lemonade and grapes and laid them at her bedside.
“Two of the bottles of lemonade which I took in had been drawn before that. Papa lay down on the sofa after dinner and afterward went out for a few minutes to the tobacconist’s.
Evidence for the Defense
“Louis and I went to bed about half past nine. I went and said good night to mamma before going to the nursery. She was awake in her room and baby was with her. Her gas was a little lighted. She kissed me and said good night.
“I did not think there was any difference in her. She looked as usual. I did not notice whether she had taken the lemonade or the grapes. I asked her if she felt better.
“Papa brought baby to my bedroom. He remained for about ten minutes and then went away. I was awake when he came to bed, I don’t know how long after he brought baby.
“I heard Mary come in the morning and tell papa that mamma was ill. I recollect papa going for the doctor. He told Mary not to let me into mamma’s room, but Louis and I went in.
“I recollect the doctor coming. I smelled gas that morning when we were in the room. It was after the doctor came. I went in after Louis the first time and I did not feel it then.
“We used to sleep in mamma’s bedroom, but we gave up doing that before the New Year. When we went into the room after papa went for the doctor, there were small bits of orange on the stool. I did not notice any marks on the bed. I noticed after mamma was removed that there were stains on the bolster. I also saw a yellowish mark on the sheet.
“My papa and mamma got on well sometimes. I don’t know any reason why they did not get on well. He called her bad names. I have heard him swear at her. Mamma never used bad names to him.
“Mamma left the room when he used bad words and sometimes she cried. I also cried sometimes when he did so. I have seen him strike her. He struck her with his hand on the side of the head.
“That was a long time before New Year’s Day. I did not see him strike her after we were at Portobello — in August.”
The defense now examined this poor boy, and naturally put leading questions to him so as to shed a favorable light on Chantrelle.
“My father has always been kind to me. He gave me everything I asked from him. He gave me pennies to buy toys, took me for walks and was kind to me in every way.
“He was kind to mamma, too. It was a long time before mamma died that the bad words and swearing took place. I can’t say how long it is since he struck her on the head.
“I saw nothing to cry for a good while before mamma died. We all dined together on Christmas Day. We had a bottle of champagne, and papa and mamma were kind to each other on that day.”
But the defense could elicit nothing more favorable to the prisoner. It tried to point out that Chantrelle, being a Frenchman, had customs of his own and he should not be held a murderer because he went out for breakfast, was rarely at home, and was unfaithful to his wife. It tried to point out that the symptoms noted in the case of the victim were more indicative of gas poisoning than narcotic.