Vichy Official’s Wife Dies; Trial Adjourned

War crimes trial proceedings against accused Nazi collaborator Maurice Papon were adjourned until Monday because of his wife’s death. Paulette Papon, 88, died of cancer two days before a jury was to decide her husband’s fate. The former police supervisor, 87, is charged with complicity in crimes against humanity for signing orders that led to the deportation of 1,690 Jews from the Bordeaux region during World War II. He is the highest-ranking official of the pro-Nazi Vichy regime to stand trial for crimes against humanity. Papon’s lawyer said the verdict could now come Wednesday.