Le Devoir, April 19, 1920, p. 3

THE TRIAL OF THE GAGNON WOMAN

REPORT OBJECT OF COMPLAINT – TESTIMONY BY DOCTORS - TELESPHORE GAGNON.

Quebec City, 19. - (D.N.C.) – At the opening of the Court of Assizes this morning, Maître Fitzpatrick, Crown attorney, complained about an article in La Presse accusing the Crown of not having done its duty in the case of the Gagnon woman.

Maître Fitzpatrick gave evidence that the Crown had neglected nothing and Justice Pelletier expressed the hope that La Presse would retract its statement.

Upon which Maître Francoeur stated that he regretted not having requested that journalists be excluded. He has received threats in writing and there are people, he states, who say that the lawyers for the defence should be lynched along with the accused. He considers public opinion to be prejudiced.

Maître Francoeur stated that the defence would not retract its plea of not guilty but would add that of insanity.

Next, testimony by the doctors were heard that prompted Justice Pelletier to declare: "The battle has begun."

Dr. Fortier stated that an examination of the accused revealed that she suffers from a kidney ailment, anaemia and hypertrophy. He diagnosed her as sick but not in danger.

Dr. Marois had a slightly different opinion. He did not believe that she could be said to suffer from a kidney disease. The accused, he stated, suffers from anaemia, which can be explained by recent events.

The husband of the accused, Télesphore Gagnon, was heard and, after having asked for the protection of the court, as he is also charged with murder, stated that his wife could at times be mean and ill-tempered. He has been married for two years.