Albert Soleilland

Overview

Albert Soleilland was sentenced to death on July 24, 1907 for a homicide involving the rape and murder of a little girl. His death sentence was commuted to life in prison on September 13, 1907. He died in prison in May 1920.

The offence

On January 30, 1907, Albert Soleilland, a carpenter, went to the home of his friends workers, Erblinger. He claimed that his wife had to go to a show at the Ba-Ta-Clan and proposed to take a little girl, Martha, 11, with him. Martha, 11, followed Soleilland.

In the evening, Soleilland returned alone and said that his wife could not go to the show and that it was he who accompanied her, but that he had lost sight of the crowd. He seemed surprised that she had not returned. He wanted the child without success until 14 February, when pressed with questions Soleilland finally confessed his crime.

Soleilland dragged the girl into his home while his wife was away, intending to rape her. As she resisted and cried loudly, he strangled and abused her body. He then cut up the corpse that he went to drop the reference to the Gare de l’Est.

Investigation and discovery

After the police discovered the abomination, public reaction followed the case.

Trial

The trial took place not far away, and on July 23 the Court of Assizes of the Seine condemned Soleilland to death, holding him responsible for his actions.

A crowd applauded and cheered the verdict, “Mrs Soleilland!”

Sentencing and commutation

Soleilland was sentenced to death on July 24, 1907. On September 13, despite pressure from the majority of French, Armand Fallières signed the grace for all those sentenced to death recently, which included Soleilland. The person described as “the satyr” was sent to Guyana.

Prison and death

In September 1912, he tried to strangle a young convict who refused him. The convict, by defending the seriously injured with a blow of lime, injured seriously.

The “pointers” (rapists, in slang) were described as the most hated prisoners, and Soleilland was stated to be no exception. He died alone and hated at the hospital of Kourou in May 1920.

Other details

One hundred thousand people accompanied the little coffin in the cemetery of Pantin, and six tanks were required to bring all the packages offered by anonymous.

His homosexuality was revealed, and it was stated that his “satyr” character was sent to Guyana.

The case narrative included that “15 on Sunday” an event arrived at the Elysee Palace demanding justice and resigned Fallières.