MESRINE Jacques (1936-1979) nicknamed public enemy number on - Lot 75

MESRINE Jacques (1936-1979) nicknamed public enemy number one. 8 L.A.S. to Jeanne Schneider, Fleury-Merogis prison, November 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29 and 30, 76. 18 pp. folio. On November 22, he warns her about people he considers bad, and goes on about her work "[] there's no way you're going back" to that slavery "you don't need to work. [If you spot a cop following you and you're sure he's right, turn around and ask him if he can tell you where the nearest police station is, you'll see what kind of face he'll make! When it comes to your phone, you can be sure you'll be bugged. As for having a microphone in your home, it's possible! [] With all the drama they're putting on, you must be pretty well watched. []"; on November 23, he worries about Jeanne's health "[] you need a real vacation, which you'll take after the trial, but I hope that "justice" won't put you back in a cage. [On November 24, he tells her about the details of his trial: "Subject to all reservations, we'll only go through in May - about a month's trial. I got the information from Pelletier [] we'll have President Petit a damned Miquelon-style tabernacle!... it's going to be a party (sic). If we didn't pass until May, you'd still have 5 months of guaranteed freedom. Which would allow you to better absorb the blow in case of unpleasant surprises. [] my letter to Laffont is well on its way [] I'm a businessman, not a man of action. Laffont quickly realized this. []" the letter's postscript indicates the existence of a recording of him in Canada. He asks her to retrieve it; on November 25, he asks her to keep "the minutes" of the divorce "which gives him custody of the children and mentions his daughter's schooling, jewelry left in Canada, etc."; on November 26, he jokes about the "chief's rules" which qualify all the rules given by Mesrine. He tells her, "I've received a letter from the representative of télé-Métropole Montréal [] he's going to apply for a permit to visit me. The ministry had better give it to him. Because the Canadian press is likely to have a pretty good image of justice in France. [You tell me that at the bank where you opened your account, there was a "big laugh" - why? Did they give you the cashbox thinking you were coming from me? []" and ends his letter with memories of the United States "You remember [] the next day we were leaving for Cape Kennedy to watch the departure of Apollo XI, the first man on the Moon, and in the evening we were arrested []"; on November 27, he writes at length about his daughter, returning to the words of a prosecutor "So the prosecutor told you that I was a man with a head What a mistake! If I had any, I wouldn't be where I am! [] ". He gives Jeanne a gentle lecture: "How come you've got 730 francs in legal fees for your libel suit that you "decided on your own" [] well done for your little face, [] I win my cases (sic sic). The letter continues on "Sunday 28th", touching on many subjects; on November 29th, he explains that his attitude during his provisional release will play a part in the upcoming trial. He goes on to talk about his feelings and how happy he is that she is free. He announces, "I received the papers concerning the complaint I lodged for the theft of my belongings during the search [] I wrote a letter to Calisti and believe me, I'm not soft [] If Calisti wants a legal war, he's going to get it. I'm simply going to register as a civil party. [] Because to hear him tell it, nothing was stolen from me, despite the fact that the supervisors responsible for the search testified in my favor. [On November 30, he announced that he had had a visit from "sieur Monteuil de Fleury-Merogis [] the old nobility of the penitentiary", and would soon receive a visit from Judge Madre, whom he didn't much like.