The pictures and documents relate to the murder trial of Frenchman Ernest Léonard, who was alleged to have beaten Jerseyman John Francis about the face and head with a blunt instrument as he walked home from a night out at Grève de Lecq in 1894. He was found unconscious and taken back to his cottage at L’Etacq, where he died on Christmas Eve. The trial, the following year, captivated the Island. It was believed Léonard had beaten Francis to death for being friends with the family of his fiancée. After several weeks, the court found Léonard not guilty. One of the photographs shows the room where Francis died and another, St Ouen’s Bay, where he was found unconscious. He acted out of jealousy, it was argued, after the family of Léonard’s fiancée refused to give their blessing to the marriage and ended their relationship.
