The Seznec Affair : Recap of events that led to the case in court
The goal of this article is to briefly recall the known events until the court case (1923-1924)
1 Presentation of the protagonists
1.1/ Pierre Quéméneur
Pierre Quemeneur
Pierre Quéméneur was born in 1877 in Commana, a rather desolate wooded area in the Monts d’Arrée. Just a few kilometers away, lies a vast boggy marshland that is today, in part, occupied by a lake and a disused nuclear plant. This zone is the backdrop of many tales and legends, some beautiful and fascinating, while others more sinister. In days of old, this area was known as the gates of Hell. It wasn't a rare occurrence, on a foggy night, for one's mind to fool him into hearing the squeaking cart wheels of Ankou searching for a soul to take.
Before World War I, Pierre Quéméneur along with his brothers and sisters, operated a small bistrot cafe in Saint Sauveur, Finistere. Their business was a very small one, selling cider, wine and wood.
1914, wartime 33 army age groups are mobilized, that's 8 million healthy men between 18 and 50 years old. Of these 8 million men, 5 million will see battle on the front.
At the time, Pierre Quéméneur, 37 year old bachelor, should have been sent to the front. He probably received protection since he was only sent to Quimper. His work consisted of providing wood to the army. Since the front was stabilized, the troops dug trenches and these all needed to have butresses in wood to keep the dirt walls standing. While working for the Military Engineering, he did not neglect his own business affairs. He sold wood to build the american camp of Pontanezen.
American US army Camp of Pontanezen near Brest
At the end of the war, the soldiers having survived the carnage, return from the front. Many are disfigured, gassed, crippled and traumatized. At this time, with the huge profits indecently gained, Quéméneur purchased Ker Abri, a magnificent property located in Landerneau, Finistere. His showy display of his wealth was very much the pride of the new rich. If we compare the modest home he shared with his family in 1914 and that of 1919, it is easy to see that the war trated him very kindly.
KerAbri Landerneau
Quéméneur's appearance was that of a robust, happy and kindly man. That is the facade. The inside is much less nice. He's an unscrupulous shark. The kind of person that swims in murky waters, shady deals, profiteering. We find many comparisons with that of the character Haverkamp from, a novel by Jules Romains "Des Hommes de bonne volonté". He has the same age as Quéméneur, same army age group 1894/1895. He gets put in to auxiliary service to avoid active duty in battle. He sells the items that the army needs by functioning as the intermediary. Like Haverkamp, gets rich at an exceptionally rapid pace. The bait of easy money beats out over reason and conscience.
1.2/ Guillaume Seznec
Guillaume Seznec was born in 1878 on a farm called Kerniol in Plomodiern, a little village in Finistère at the foot of the Menez-Hom. The Menez-Hom was long ago an imposing mountain in a an ancient mountian chain. Across from the bay of Douarnenez, it was eroded by rain, wind, frost, and storms for thousands of years. The last remnant remaining is the dome covered in heathland. With the gentle slope towards the sea, the sunken land was rich and provided for many families. The legend of the sunken city of Ys takes place in this bay.
Seznec has the same peasant origins as Pierre Quéméneur. Before the war, he operated a small business repairing bicycles. The store burned and he was even hurt in the fire. He was left with a visible scar on the right side of his face. He was compensated by his insurance. During the war, he never saw combat. He was only 36 years old and a big, strong man. The difference between him and Quéméneur, though, was that he had 4 children and was the main bread winner of the household. After trying several enterprises with none providing him with the success that he desired, he opened a laundry with his wife, Marie-Jeanne.
With the arrival of the American soldiers to Brest in 1917 , his business began to prosper. He laundered for the American army officers. This earned their family quite a little pile of gold Dollars. After the war though, business declined with the departure of the Americans. He sold the business to his brother in law. Later, the laundry will also burn. Since Seznec was still owner of the building and the insurance is still in his name, he received he compensation. And after, a truck belonging to Seznec will be destroyed in the same manner. This is starting to become a little too much to be a coincidence and Seznec began to have a bad reputation in the area. In the meantime, he installs his family in Traon-ar-Milin, near Morlaix. He starts a sawmill and makes wooden shoes.
His character is rather quiet, stubborn and needy, but he knows how to be crafty and cunning. He is known for not paying his suppliers. He also has absolutely no knowledge of the law. This causes his to be brought to court many times and being always the loser, one case after another. In the beginning of the 1920's, he seemed to live for the perpetual search for money to reimburse his most urgent debts. On the other hand, he had 4 children to feed and was considered to be a good father.
The journal "Le Petit Parisien" from June 29, 1923 described Sezenec (sic) as : « a tall guy, thin and robust. Under the intelligent, high forehead, sparkle cat like eyes. The square chin, without brutality, but with energy, shows a strong will. The face on whole is rustic, severe, and almost hard. The man seems cunning, ironic with a sly smile. » And a nasty little reflection from the city journalist to the country guy, he is dressed « like a worker in his Sunday best » .
Quéméneur and Seznec seem to be friends or at least they frequent each other for several years. Two individuals without scruple and attracted to money couldn't help but to become friends. The two men are very much different. One is rich, boastful, bon vivant and the other is not necessarily poor, but usually low on funds, silent and frugal.
Ater the war, Seznec bought a Saw Mill and a clog-making factory near Morlaix, Traon Ar Velin.
1.3/ The facts
In 1917, right from their entry in the war, the United States sent to France and incredible amount of stocks, supplies and vehicles. The end of the hostilities left much of this equipment unused. France negotiated the purchase of the American surplus for the amount of 400 million gold dollars to be repaid over 10 years. Germany was condemned to pay to France colossal war damages. France hoped to be able to reimburse the United States with these funds. We know that this did not happen. Germany, destitute after the war, was never able to pay their debt. The disastrous economic situation in the 1920's driven by the great depression starting in 1929 brought along the advent of Nazism. However, France eventually honored their debt towards the United States. The last reimbursements tied to debts contracted during WWI were made in the 1960's under the government of General de Gaulle.
December 13,1918 President Wilson visiting Brest
The American merchandise headed to the front arrived mainly to the ports of Brest and Saint Nazaire and transited gigantic camps like that of Pontanezen. Another part of the merchandise transited England.
Cadillac and Liberty Truck - American Camp of Romotantin
In 1923, the two friends agreed to buy and sell American vehicles coming from the stock left by the army. Pierre Quéméneur brought the funds and Guillaume Seznec was supposed to look all over France for Cadillac cars. Next, the cars were to be resold to a mysterious American middleman, by the name of Sherdly or Chardy staying at 6, 16 or 26 boulevard Malesherbes in Paris. This man was to pay 30,000 Francs for Cadillac Type 57 ans 28,000 Francs for trucks, in any condition. The Cadillacs were then to be sent to Soviet Russia.
They decide to go to Paris on May 25, 1923 to complete the first transaction which was to involve 10 Cadillacs. They take the road in Seznec's Cadillac. The car was pledged for 15,000 Francs in Quéméneur's favor as the result of a debt contracted by Seznec that was never repaid. This car was to become part of the transaction.
The men left Rennes at around 5am. They took the National Route RN12. At that time, there was already a decent road that connect Paris and Brest. The maximum speed limit is 130 kilometers per hour. The car had set unmoved for more than 6 months. The tires should have been changed before such a long journey. But since they had not, they got flat tires frequently on the trip. Each repair being required to remove the tire, repair it and put it back on. This took approximately 30 minutes each time and a rather physical job. They stopped in Ernée to have their breakfast. Near noon, they hadn't yet gone halfway. They take their lunch after Alençon, in Mesle.
Near Nonancourt, the motor started acting up, so they stopped around 4:30 pm for repairs at Hodey garage in Dreux.The head gasket turns out to be the culprit. The mechanic repairs it as best he can in a rush. They leave Dreux around 7:45 pm. The night falls, and then the back lights of the Cadillac stopped working. They stop at Houdan and found a bicycle dealer, Paul Jeangirard to install an acetylene lantern. In the meantime, the 2 men go to the the hotel/restuarant « Au plat d’étain » for dinner. The restuarant was about to close, already having the chairs on the tables. They supposdly served the men soup, followed by a piece of beef accompanied with spinach. Quéméneur ate with gusto while Seznec barely touched his meal. Then they departed for Paris. Instead of taking the national route, they turn off the wrong place. The Cadillac heads towards the train station of Houdan and strikes a barrier. There were several witnesses, namely the chief of the station, saw the incident.
Approaching 11 pm, a witness, Mrs. Thérèse Malet sees the Cadillac at the intersection of the road to Paris and to Bazainville. Seznec is alone. The top is close on the roof of the Cadillac. The curtains are installed. She is surprised to see this hidden vehicle not asking for help. The maçon Dectot also sees a car at the same place, but described it having bright lights. This does not correspond with the Seznec's car that had electrical problems.
Early morning on May 26, around 5 or 5 : 30 am, a witness Mr. Henri Schwartz, who delivers milk with his truck, sees Seznec in his Cadillac at the intersection of the route to Montfort and the RN12. He sells Seznec 5 liters of gas. Though ; it doesn't appear that Seznec has run out of gas. Another problem with the tires leads him to stop at the closest village, La-Queue-enYvelines. He stopped at the hotel Nourisson to repair the car with the help of a bicycle dealer. The Torpedo still has the top up and the curtains on. A witness sees in front of the back seat a rather large package under a cover and also a suitcase.
Seznec leaves en route for Morlaix alone in his car. Around 11 pm, he arrives in Pré-en Pail. He stayed the night in the Hotel of Bretagne. He leaves the morning of the 27th and arrives in the evening.
Quéméneur told those close to him that he would return, at the latest, on May 28. Quéméneur's family received no news, so they started to worry about his absence. On June 4, his sister Jeannie meets with Seznec and he remained evasive while indicating that he had received no news of Quéméneur. Quéméneur's brother Louis and his brother in law, Jean Pouliquen, demand news from Seznec as well. Seznec explains that due to the frequent car breakdowns all along the trip, he was forced to go back to Dreux, after dark to drop Quéméneur off at the train station. Seznec explained that Quéméneur took a train to Paris where he had an important appointment on Saturday, May 27. That same evening Jean Pouliquen, Louis Quéméneur accompanied by Guillaume Seznec go to the 13th mobile police brigade of Rennes to report the disappearance of Pierre Quéméneur. Jeannie received a telegram on June 13 posted from Le Havre and signed Quéméneur written as follows :"Will not return to Landerneau for a few days All is well - Quéméneur". The family was relieved at first, then believing that it was fake, asked the police to continue with their investigation.
Fake
telegram sent from Le Havre May 13,1923
1.4/ The investigation
June 20, the suitcase belonging to Pierre Quéméneur is found by an overseer in the third class waiting room at Le Havre train station. It is covered in mud. It had been submerged in sea water. Inside, there were several personal effects, a notebook and a sale agreement to Seznec a property belonging to Quéméneur. June 25, this suitcase and contents and the telegram sent of June 13 were taken as evidence by the justice to start officially investigation « suspicious disapperance ».
Sealed and entered as evidence :
a notebook with annotations, notably on pages 46 and 48, mentions the costs incurred for the trips on train leaving Dreux, then leaving Paris destination Le Havre.
a private agreement dated May 22, 1923, noting the agreement to sell from Quéméneur to Seznec, a property located in Plourivo (Côtes-du-Nord)
Seznec is heard on June 26 by Commissaire Cunat of the 13th mobile police brigade of Rennes. He states that he left Quéméneur at the train station in Dreux on May 25 in the evening and that he left by himself toward Morlaix by car in order to get the car repaired. He confirms that they were going to Paris to meet with a person named Sherdly or Chardy to set up a very lucrative business. He also indicated that he made a trip to Paris on June 1, 1923. He went to the Normandie Hotel where Quéméneur was supposed to stay but no one had seen him. Finally, he specifies that he gave 4040 gold Dollars to Quéméneur in exchange for the private sale agreement of the property at Plourivo. He is summoned to the French Police Surete Generale in Paris on June 28, 1923, by the chief police officer Commissaire Vidal. Seznec confirms his deposition made two days before. He brings along a second copy of the sale agreement.
fake sale agreement of the Plourivo property
Seznec tells that the two copies were given to him by Quéméneur.. They were probably typed beforehand. The mentions « made in duplicate in Landerneau the twenty second of May, nineteen hundred twenty three » was affixed by Quéméneur before his eyes. He did not remember who wrote « taken as is ». The signature of these acts and the exchange of the dollars was performed in Brest at the café des voyagers, with no witnesses present.
Seznec, having been the last person to see Quéméneur alive, quickly became the principal suspect. June 30, he was accused of murder and writing false documents.
The police investigation will bring out numerous contradictions and lies from Seznec. A reconstitution on the ground shows that Seznec left Quéméneur at the Houdan station and not the Dreux station. The two cities are 60 kiloemeters apart. Seznec will then be forced to admit that he did leave his companion in Houdan. The problem is that the last train toward Paris would have already gone one hour before the time mentioned by Seznec. In Quéméneur's notebook, found in his suitcase in Le Havre, it is marked : fee Quéméneur Dreux-Paris 11,40 FF. The mention in the notebook is then fake. Additionally, the price of the ticket is inexact. It is the price marked by the Chaix train time table in which when taxes are added, brings the total price to 11,85 FF.
A fake telegram signed Quéméneur was sent on June 13. Seznec denied going to Le Havre but he could not give an alibi. He was absent from his home from June 12 in the afternoon until the morning of June 14. However, several witnesses recognized him as having purchased a Royal typewriter there. Other witnesses saw him at Plouaret where there is a station to Paris then in the train carrying with him a heavy and voluminous package.
A search performed at the Seznec home done on July 6, 1923 finds the typewriter Royal-10. This typewriter is identical to the one used to type the sale agreement which looks to be a vlugar copy. It was discovered in a building next to the sawmill.
June 20, the day when Quéméneur's suitcase was found at Let Havre, two witnesses recognize Seznec there.
An expertise delivered on December 10, 1923 establishes that the two sales agreements from May 22 , 1923 were type with the Royal-10 typewriter seized on July 6 in the sawmill. A expertise report dated December 22, 1923 declared that the handwritten mentions on the 2 sales agreements, on the telegram from June 13 and pages 46 and 48 from Quéméneur's notebook were not written by Quéméneur, but by Seznec.
Searches for Quéméneur's body were carried out for months in the region of Houdan without success. He was never found and that rest one of the mysteries still unsolved of the Seznec Affair.
From the beginning, all newspapers wrote articles about the Seznec Affair. The first American article is from The New York Time date June 26, 1923.
1.5/ The case
During his time in prison, Seznec tried to buy false witnesses. This will incriminate him further.
The case took place in the Assises Court of Quimper from October 24 through November 4, 1924. Quimper city is also known for the pottery manufactures. It made the headlines in all of the newspapers at the time. The jury, composed of 12 people must answer three questions :
1/ On the night May 25, 1923, is Seznec guilty of, voluntarily killing Pierre Quéméneur.
2/ Did Seznec act with premeditation ? Did he ambush Quéméneur ?
3/ Is he guilty of falsifying private documents ?
The affirmative response to all three questions would carry a condemnation of the death penalty.
Even thought the body of Pierre Quéméneur was never found and that Seznec claimed innocence, the jury response was yes to the first question.
The second question causes a problem. Did Seznec prepare his crime and set a trap ? The jurors decided no by a majority. It appears that an ambiguity in the formation of the question caused the answer to be no.
And the third question, on the fabrication and usage of false documents, the jurors voted yes. Seznec's life was spared, but he was condemned to life in a penal colony.
1.6/ Prison
January 25, 1925, Seznec is sent to the prison of Saint Martin de Ré. This center is the antichamber of the prison. The condemned wait here for their transfer to the penal colony in French Guyana. He left on April 7, 1927 aboard the boat that transports of the condemned, the Lamartinière.
After the decision to close the penal colony and after more than twenty years of forced labor, Seznec received an early release from prison on February 4, 1946 during the presidence of Vincent Auriol and will finally be freed on May 14, 1947. He came back to France and lived with his daughter until his death in 1954, after being struck by a truck.
The affair Seznec would have ended there. Yet, his family will battle and demand a revision of the trial and verdict.
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