Today is Thursday, March 19th, 2020.

On this day in 1946, the murder trial of French Dr doctor Marcel Petio began in Paris.

Welcome to today in true, a parcast original. Due to the graphic nature of

today's crimes, listener discretion is advised. Extreme caution is advised

for listeners under 13.

Today we're covering the murder trial of Dr Petio,

one of the country's most infamous serial killers.

Let's go back to the morning of March 19th, 1946.

It was a grim day in Paris, but the members of the press were all smiles.

This would be the trial of the year, and they had a front row seat to the circus.

They had trouble keeping enough papers on the stands lately,

and whatever was going to be disclosed today

would only amplify their sales.

They gathered outside the Palace of Justice in the center of the city

before being let inside.

It was a messy business.

They'd heard about the 49 year old doctor who'd been labeled

Dr Satan by a few of their colleagues and they were itching to get a look at him.

When they finally made it inside, the courtroom was packed.

Everyone gathered in the gallery knew the salacious details.

The doctor's deeds had first been discovered over two years before on March 11, 1944, when a concerned

neighbor called the police.

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