The Morning herald., 1877-08-14
CHAPTER xxx.
EY's TRIAL.

interesting trial wonld be heard-that OF
Langley. the ex-convict.
When the prisoner was brought in, there
was a low murmur of interest, as his
colossal size and powerful make were re-
marked.
Upon the table before the judge were
the objects to be used as secondary EVIL
de- .see at the trial-a long, thin dagger
knife. a red-covered pocket book. open at
the page upon which Graham Forbes had
written his last dnection-"Margaret-
ayenge-it was-"--and various other
objects. d,
it wa. q quarter past ten when the trial
began. Contrary to expectation, the prls-
oner appeared without handcutfs-for IL
had been whispered about that he was
so violent. this precaution would be
taken. VA.
1t was at the judges express orders that
the prisoner was not manacled. the Justlce
urging that the use OF handouts suggested
the idea of an unfair trial.
For that matter, the prisoner was quiet
enough. He scarcely appeared to be TAX
ing notice of what was going on about. IL
he appeared swayed by one desire more
than another, it was to avoid looking about
the hall.
The public was disappointed; they ez-
pected to sec furious giant. They saw
Door, broken down looking man, apparent
ly quite unconscious of his own strength.
Even the two officers who accompanied
him into the dock felt that they were not
C., 70 hogan
to look about. almost without thinking OF
their prisoner.
The Jury had been already sworn. and
the clerk of arraigns read the indictment,
which charged Abel Langley with the
vilful murder of Graham Forbes. on the
9th of October, 1866, at place called lag
eart's Inn. Strand, London.
Called upon to plead Guilty ~ or Not
puilty?' the prisoner showed no signs of
hearing what was going on.
Tell him what he has to do" said the
Judge, addressing the two officers In the
dock with the prisoner.
He did not appear to comprehend what
was said to him. He still remained stand
ing loosely in front of the dock, his eyes
looking toward the ground.
According to modern and mercifnl Gus
tom. when prisoner refuses to plead, the
iudge orders the plea Of Not guilty" to be
entered, aud then he directs the case to
proceed.
A. counsel Immediately rose and an
nounced himself as being for the prosecu-
ton. No barrister declared for Lang
ley.
the Judge.
Nobody replied; and thereupon. follow
ing another noble and merclful Engilsh
CUSTOM the Judge appointed counsel to
defend Abel Langley.
The preliminsries being now prepared,
the counsel for the prosecution rose to
state the case against the prisoner.
We are not here going to, give all the
particulars as set out by the barrlster, be-
cause most of them are known to the
reader. We will, therefore, very briefly
sum up the counsels speech.
After statiGg that the prisoner was
| Abel Lahgley, aged thirty-two, and that
lie was born in Cornwall, he went Oh to
say that the prisoner had already been
twice condemned to term of penal servl-
| fjde. At the time Of the murder of Nr.
| Graham Forbes, Abe prisoner lived in the
Immediate ncighborhoh of Mr.. Graham
| Forhc,' residence-the latter being in Tag
| carts Ina. Strand; the former, in turn
| ir9 out of Glare Market, spot about five
minutes walk from Mr.. Forbes apart
meuts. lie then went into particulars;
showed how Langley was at that date at
liberty, having escaped from Portland;
| that lis dwelling was close to Drury Lane,
in part colony of thieves, ard that be
had cause for jealousy. The counsel then
dlated on the confessions as made to
Webber; the statement made by woman
supposed to be the prisoners wife; and
finally devoted some time 10 clearing away
anv slight contradictions which appeared
to clash with the evidence he should ad-
duce.
The first witness called was Paul Web
ber, who deposed to the interviews he had
had with Langley and the woman called
SunHower.
The reader is In full possession of all the
facts to which Webber would naturally
Gepose.
The Eext witness called was Margaret
Ponsonby Mayter, who deposed to the
finding of the dead man, and to those
other particulars with which the reader is
already acquainted
The counsel for the prisoner refusing to
cross-examine Miss Mayter she requested
to know If she might leave the court.
She was told she might, and she did so,
after having been recalled to be asked
this question: do you know the pris-
oner ?"
Il never saw this man until to-day" was
the reply.
Two or three other witnesses being
called. the porter at Taggart's Inn, the