The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-10-18
MRS. ALEXANDER INDICTED.

MRS. ALEXANDER INDICTED.
CALLING GOD TO WITNESS THAT SHE IS NOT
GUILTY-DRAMATIc SCENE IN CoURT-HER
cnoss-ExAM1NArIoN IN THE GRAND JURY
ROOM.
BRIDGEPORT, Oct II, 1878,
After session often hours the Grand Jury Of FaIr-
field county havc brough4in "a truo bill'' agailst
Mrs. Lorena Elizabeth Alexander. In New York par
lance this means that she has been indicted for
"murder in the first degree" IL had been doubted
whether Mrs. Alexander, who had turned States
evidence and given all the information to
the authorities 10 the murder OF John
Wnebeckor, would be indicted jointly with Frank L.
Bassett as an accomplish; but to-days proceedings
showed that she alone principal first requires the
attention OF tho law. leaving Bassctt's still to BIO
adjudGed upon by the grand inquest Tho scenes at
tendant upon the announcement. OF the Grand Jury's
decision, well rs those which startled the court
whom at later stage OF the proceedings she was
called upon 10 plead were full Of dramatic interest.
Every seat in tho Superior Court was ncd as carly
nine O'Clock, even the galleries being crowded
with men and women who seemed TO take an eager
interest In tho case. Mrs. Alexander not In
tho court room, however. She was In the Grand Jury
room. Bassett was there, however, calm and COL
lecled, and encouraged, perhaps, by tho pres
enco OF his mother and sister, who wins.
pered words Of cheer into his when.
over tho fearful suspense OF waiting to DO
called bcoro the grand inquest seemed to tell upon
his nervous temperament. Suddenly Foreman Dun
ham emerged from tho Grand Jury room, had q
consultation with tho States Attorney and finally de-
mandcd that the Court order Bassct to appear
animation before the Grand Jury. Mr. Olmstead, tho
States Attorney, objected. Ho did not wish Basset
to testify before tho Grand jury. because It would
prejudice and defeat Tho prosecution Tho States
Attorneys wishes prevailed, and Bassctt was not
uskcd to 90 TO the Grand Jury room.
INSIDE TIE GRAND JURY ROOM.
Criminals whose cases are under consideration be-
lore u competent Grand Jury not permitted TO
testify IN their own behalf but thoy are allowed to
listen to the testimony and crosscxaminc witnesses
alter having been handled by The Grand Jury. Mrs.
Alexander evidently WINS not aware OF this. At overy
moment shc pleaded sho begged, TO be hoard In Ter
own defence. IL am innoccnt do let mo tell my own
story she sad. When snc saw that The law in this
respect was inexorably against her, sho began TO
cross examine witnesses.
Or. Sanford, tho professor Of anatomy at the Yalo
Medical School, had repeated In substance the tcs
mony printed last week in tho HERALD no gave when
ne examined hero before the Coroner jury but, az
ono place the Doctor had said that Mrs. Aiexan.
der when Offering tor sale tho body Of tho murdered
man. was exceedingly nervous, ana In another place u
haa understood that described her boing
ccedngly COOL calm and collected. Tho shrcwd, sharp
woman was no, slow In percciving tho difference.
She remembered distinctly what had been testified to
Only week ago. and sne did not fail TO Call tho
Grand Jury's attention to Tho discrepancy. Coming
IRON Yale professor, whose testimony throughout
has been the cearcst before the Coroncr's inquest,
This mistake winch IL not, except in
tho eyes Of the criminal, who cannot remcm.
Dor dates. was speedily rccthed, when Madame
once was confronted with Tho months
OF May ana July. An these terrible discrepancies
Ever and anon the month OF May looms up before
that womans mindl 1t was then that she
was calm and has sworn thar she endeavored to
soil her own body ana that Of Miss kavanagn to tho
Yale Medical School. What crime turks behind that
month OF May? rho States Attorney knows and he
viii reveal u Mt tho trial. two weeks hence. Tho
Grand Jury oEly investigating the July crime,
ana then. indeed, sho was nervous Tho disappear
ance OF Bette Beatty and OF Sam Cones, the Howe
Band man. about that time may ultimately account
tor the importance attached TO this month OF May.
AS tho dinner hour approached an Informal ballot
was taken, resylting III the unanimous hnding OF a
bill. At two O'CLOCK with an ovcrcrowded court
room. tho venerable Judge Mastin on tho bench, the
states Attorney arose and said, Your Honor, the
Grand Jury Is ready"
AN APPEAL TO THE DIRTY.
Quo by one they nod IN. headed by ox-Postmaster
Durham. Thor names having been called, the Clerk
oil the Court asked them what they had found. and
the foreman replied, "a true bin against Lorena
Elizabeth Alexander" The document containing tho
Indictment was handed TO tpo Cork aud tho states
Attorney msved that the prisoner be called upon TO
plead. She sat front Of the railing, looking moro
ike wunoss than criminal, when the Clerk IN a
loud said, "Lorcna Alexander rise and
| liston 10 tho Indictment found against you
| By tho Grand Jury 81 FarneldA county," she
rose in nonchalant manner. The Clerk read the in
crowaod court room, and she kept her eyes steadily
nxcd him. As he reached the words 'by tho use Of
|
mouth aud nose" she dropped tho lids OF her Dyes
and never raised them again during tho roadns
Tho Court--Aro you ready to plcadY
Mrs. Aiexaudcr--ID the sight Of COD nm not guilty.
| Tho prisoner, after throwing out her arms tho
atrically, covered her eyes with her hands and foil
into fearful weeping spell. Whom she had resumed
her scat, Mr.. Curtis Thompson, who had been
signed by tho Court to conduct hor defence led her
| into u private apartment for cons tution.
The Grand Jury after this retired once moro
to thor Tor dcliDeration this they took
Frank H. Bassctps case under consideration.
Trg BOGUS BABY
The police OF Bridgeport emphatically deny that
| any bodies have been found near the factory,
though tho search has been renewed to-day and VIII
be continued. Two individuals, however, are MISS
ing since that fearful month OF May, and bridgeport
/ Is ut a loss how TO account Tor either tho band
mans absence or tho Beatty girls mystor-
/ Gus silence. To add stll further to
i noon decided 10 takc Mrs. Alcxander's baby away
i from her. Sho had claimed IL nrst as her own, but
subsequent testimony proved II he Lizzie Kavanags
When tho child was taken IRON bcr she stoically
| said, "Woll, Isuppose must submit TO this" and
| Jaer Wells soon convinced her that in her present
circumstances the child would DO boter cared for by
| the city charities
| a very important witness against Mrs. Alexander
| was seen by Bassett's mother HIS name Is Henry
Sturgcss ana said to DO the party whose letter, "a ~
published In the HERALD last week, found in RS.
| Aexander's effects He told Mrs Bassctt that while
c boarded az the factory no became very much fright
| cned, and glad that he had lett IN time.
since hor Incarceration she has written him letter
charging him with unfricDdincss and expressing re-.
] gret that he has not visited her " the jaii.