The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-23
EMMA BEIHEL'S TRIAL.

PROBABILITY THAT SHE WILL BE ACQUITTED
The EVIDENCE OF THE PROSECUTION VERY
WEAK - Yesterdays PROCEEDINGS THE
PRISONER ON THE STAND.
CAMDEN n. j.. May o. 1873.
The evidence In the of Emma Bethel, tho
alleged polsoner OF Mr. ana Mrs Bishop, has all been
submitted, and tomorrow, the Pubic Prosecutor
aud tho counsel for tho accused have made their
speeches tho prisoners tate will DO In the hands
OF the jury. The trial has been short ana dis-
appointing those who HAD formed tncir ideas OF the
case from tho exaggerated accounts which several
newspapers have given. Instead OF establishing tho
fact beyond doubt that the housckceper deliberately
administered arsenic TO her master and mistress
to got them out OF tho way, that she
might marry the son, the prosecution has not only
failed to show that Emma Bethel gave the poison at
all, but that she had any motive to commit such
an unnatural crime upon those who wore her
beneiactors. II there is any such thing
counting upon tho verdict Of jury (which
is often as uncertain weather. tho twelve good
and will acqait the prisoner with
out leaving their seats
The only criminal TACT which this trial has demon
strated beyond doubt is that Reckeilh ana Hannah
Bishop died, poisoned from arsenic, and the only
suspicion that Emma Bethel used tho poison
rests in tho declaration OF George Bishop
that she asked him TO buy Il. Professor
stephens evidence was clear and mistaken that
arsenic was found Ia the body. But who committed
the terrible decd Is more OF mystery than over.
The Camden authorities seem TO have done nothing
70 throw light upon the crime, aud now that
Is how nimsy WAS tho loyal evidence against
could ever nave Sosn suspected. Public sym.
pathy, US II Is manifested IN the court room,
mas cnangca IN her favor as i,s,ie incident .n,
tested Tho prisoners appearance and conduct have
also been TO credit anu II she has been an in-
mate OF improper houses aud bears inc BAD charac.
ter alleged against her no testimony 70 this pnrpors
has been putiorwsrd dariag the trial
YESTERDAY = PRoCEEDiNGs.
Al the resumption oil tho tTisl this morning Mrs.
Sarah atson was recalled shc testified that Ahc
heard Emma say. during Mrs Bishops last illness,
know anything about what allied "Grandma.'
meaning Mrs. Bishop; Emma said that the Doctor
that she lEmma) wanted tho old lady 70 take Is
she wanted 10 know what made y so wnite aud SAID,
that no had answered, ..what should put IN itS'
Mrs Wiletts And Or. Johnson wcro recalled TO
prove that Emma gave Mrs. wiilctts a package OF
alum winch the doctor required. TINS was 10 contra
dici the statement Emma TO tho Mayor just after
her arrest IN which sho denied having either alum
or arsenic
THE PURCHASING ARSENIC.
Dr. Henry Britton tue druggist from wnom George
Bishop tcslned yesterday that ho nad bought alum
and arsenic Tor Emma, at her rcquest was put
every respect so 'ar as the sale OF tho druss Was
concerned. This evidence and that OF George Bishop
was tho only testimony which was indicative oi tho
prisoners quit
George Bishop was recalled TO say that Emma had
told MN that she u divorced woman. and that he
han told her that would marry again whilo me
mother lived.
This the last witness for the state and the pros
ecuiion announced tina. they rested their case
ruE DkgEScK OPENS.
There was a stir ia The crowded court when Henry
l.. sape, 81 counsel Tor tho prisoner, rose 10 open
Tor tue acisnce. IL. began by declaring that NO
had been made against his client. There
was no evidence TO show that she was
innocent oil that poisoning any one
! within sound oil his voice. Ito hardly thought 10
worth whc 10 90 vita any evidence Tor the de-
fence, snd prepared TO submit the to the jury
without any deieucs. Alter some consideration and
consultation counsel concluded put the pris-
ouer on the stand . be her defence Her
her statement before tue Mayor, gwen In this morn-
iugs HkRALD. No new points OF special interest
were brought out. she denied IN detail having
asked George Bishop 10 buy arsenic. alum
borax Tor her, and denied ever having
used arsenic IN her lie. The witness was rgidly
cross-ex ahmed, 5ut nothing oil importance MAS
developed. During her long ordeal GU the witness
stand Mrs Bethel was apparently calm ana composed
sue gave her statements ana answered questions
without the least sign OF nervousness.
george Bishop anu Frank " ilietis were then placed
on tho stand robuttai tho latter 10 deny Emm. =
Accusation that he had asked nar To poison tAc Odd
couple. aud tncn the closed, tIere beng uo
further evidence Introduce Tho lawyers Will sum
1 up Tomorrow aud the case be gwen IL inc jury.