Editing Henri Désiré Landru (section)

== Trial (7 – 30 November 1921) ==
[[File:Landru durant son procès - novembre 1921.JPG|thumb|right|Landru and his lawyer, Vincent de Moro Giafferri, photographed during the trial]]
Landru's trial opened on 7 November 1921 at the Assize Court in Versailles.{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2838-2840}} The event was a major public spectacle, fueled by intense press coverage possibly encouraged by the government to distract from the ongoing Paris Peace Conference.{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=147}}{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2819-2820}}

Daily trainloads of spectators arrived from Paris on what became dubbed the "Landru Special."{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2838-2840}} The courtroom overflowed with attendees (sometimes double its capacity), including celebrities like [[Mistinguett]], [[Maurice Chevalier]], [[Sacha Guitry]], [[Rudyard Kipling]], and the novelist [[Colette]]. Landru himself contributed to the circus atmosphere with his calm demeanor, witty retorts, theatrical politeness (like offering his seat to a lady), and constant denial of the murder charges, while implicitly acknowledging the frauds.{{sfn|Monesutie|1991|pp=102-103}}{{sfn|Sairyakkusu|1996|p=664}}{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2838-2840}} He became a bizarre popular figure, receiving fan mail, gifts (sweets, tobacco), and marriage proposals. In the 1919 election, nearly 4,000 voters wrote his name on their ballots.{{sfn|Monesutie|1991|pp=102-103}}

Despite the public conviction of his guilt, the prosecution, led by Robert Godefroy, lacked definitive proof. The bone fragments were circumstantial.{{sfn|Monesutie|1991|pp=102-103}} Key testimony included Jeanne Cuchet's sister stating Jeanne would never abandon prized possessions found with Landru;{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2840-2842}} neighbours describing the horrific smell from his chimney; and witnesses claiming they saw him dispose of items in a pond where decomposed flesh was later allegedly found.{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=147}} Landru, believing no bodies meant no conviction, remained evasive.{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=147}} His former mistress Fernande Segret also testified, adding to the drama.{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=147}}

Landru's renowned defence lawyer, [[Vincent de Moro-Giafferi]], privately thought Landru guilty and possibly insane but aimed to save him from the guillotine by focusing on the lack of conclusive evidence for murder.<ref name="TomlinsonTrial"/> He proposed the jury convict only on fraud, which would likely mean exile and death in [[French Guiana]].<ref name="TomlinsonTrial"/> Moro skillfully attacked the police investigation's inconsistencies and the forensic evidence's ambiguity, even suggesting the bone fragments could have been planted.<ref name="MoroPleading"/> He posited an alternative, albeit lurid, theory that Landru ran a "white slave" ring, sending the women abroad.<ref name="LeJournalVerdict"/> In a dramatic moment, Moro announced victims had been found and would enter the court; as spectators turned to the door, he argued their reaction proved their own doubt about the murders, highlighting the lack of corpses. The prosecutor reportedly retorted that Landru himself hadn't turned.<ref name="Decaux"/>

Despite Moro's efforts and skilled oratory,{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=147}} the jury, after three hours of deliberation on 30 November 1921, found Landru guilty of all eleven murders by a 9-3 majority.{{sfn|Sairyakkusu|1996|p=664}}{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2838-2840}} They unanimously convicted him on most theft charges. Moro persuaded the jurors to sign a petition for clemency, but Landru initially refused, stating, "The tribunal has made a mistake. I have never killed anyone. This is my final protest."<ref name="LePetitJournalVerdict"/>