“ALLEGE SENTENCE WITHOUT A TRIAL,” Montreal Star. November 1, 1921. Page 14. ---- On the alleged grounds that Napoleon Laforce and Eugene Chatelle, C.P.R. brakemen now serving a five-year sentence at St. Vincent de Paul, had been sentenced by Judge Jeremie Decarie Chief, Justice of the Court of Sessions, without a proper trial, Pierre Ledieu presented demands for their freedom before Mr Justice Bruneau in Superior Court yesterday.
The requests, in the form of habeas corpus writs, were granted, returnable on Wednesday morning when the argument upon the petitions will be heard.
It is alleged as the reasons for the writ that both were arrested on a warrant signed by Judge Lanctot upon a complaint by W. H. McKinnon that the two men had stolen goods from C.P.R. freight cars to the amount of $45,OOO, including tobacco in various forms, liquor, and clothing. Both men appeared on Magistrate's Court and pleaded not guilty and after enquiry were committed for trial. On February 8, they appeared in Court of Sessions, Judge Decarie presiding, and again pleaded not guilty. They further alleged that on March 8, without the formality of a trial, they were sentenced to serve five years in St. Vincent de Paul Penitentiary and now seek that this commitment be declared illegal and that they be given their liberty. The writ is directed against De la Bruyere Girouard, gaoler of the penitentiary, and Judge Decarie. On Wednesday the men will be brought to Superior Court and the argument on the merits of the case will be heard.
