Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-04
FRENChY FOUND GUILTY.
Convicted of Murder in the Second Degree
Surprise 1T the Verdict

Convicted of Murder in the Second Degree
Surprise ut the Verdict.
The case Of Ameer Ben Ali, alias Jack the
Ripper" on trial in New York charged with
the murder Of old Carrie Brown in the Eas,
River Hotel last April, was summed up by his
counsel and the district attorney yesterday
afternoon.
At the conclusion Of the district attorneys
argument a short recess was taken, after which
the recorder began his charge to the jury.
CHARGE TO THE JURY.
It consisted Of fair and impartial review OF
the testimony introduced in the case, during
which he impressed upon the jurymens minds
the fact that the prosecution was bound to es-
tablish its case beyond reasonable doubt, and
explained that the peoples case rested mainly
on circumstantial evidence, the only direct EVIL
the night Of the crime. In conclusion he
quoted cases in illustration of the law Of cir
cumstantial evidence.
GUILTY OF MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
Shortly after o'clock the jury retired and
left the haggard Arab in suspense as to his
fate. At 10 o o'clock the jury came in and re-
ported that they had found the prisoner
guilty Of murder in the second degree. The
spectators received the announcement Of the
jury's verdict with looks of astonishment as
almost everybody expected an acquittal; but
the recorder in dischsrging the jury said that
he was free to say that the verdict was about
right.
Calmly the recorder turned to the Jury and
said: Gentlemen Of the jury, you are entitled
to the thanks of the court and the thanks of
the community for the intelligent. faithful and
believe satisfactory manner in which you
have discharged the duties imposed upon you.
am free to say that believe the verdict is
about right"
Frenchy raised his hand high and exclaimed
q few words in Arabic to the effect that he
was innocent.
Lawyer Friend asked the recorder to remand
the prisoner for few days and his honor re-
manded him to July 10.
A canvass OF those present in the court room
showed that three out of every four persons re-
garded the verdict a. unwarranted and unfair
upon the evidence.
SKETCH OF THE CRIME.
The crime for which Ameer Ben Ali was
indicted, tried and convicted was one Of the
most atrocious known to the criminal courts Of
New York. In many respects it resembled the
horrible murders in the whitechapel district of
the English metropolis which mystified the
London police so often during the past two
years. On the night of April % last dissolute
woman named Carrie Brown. known better
among her depraved associates as "Old
Shakespeare" went into . low lodging house
known as the East River Hotel, at the corner of
Water street and Catherine slip. New York
city, with an unknown man and took room on
the top floor. An hour later a man
known as "Frenchy" was assigned to q
room directly opposite to that one occu
pied by "Old Shakespeare" and her unknown
companion. Early the next morning 'Frenchy"
left the hotel About 10 o'clock that morning
the ohambermaid Of the hotel in making her
rounds entered room 81 and was horrifed to
ind the dead and mutilated body Of the woman,
'Old Shakespeare" lying upon the bed. Her
companion had disappeared. The man known
as Frenchy was arrested the same evening within
gunshot Of the house In which the crime was
committed and locked up - the murderer.
The woman's companion has never been found.
ARE "yACx" AID 'FlEScuY" oAE2
Inspector Byrnss was seen last night he
mid that he had in possession documsntary
proof that the accused was actually in London
when the sack the Ripper murders we're
committed While he would not say % posi-
lively il was evident that the inspector believes
'.Frsnchy" and "Jack the Ripper" are one and
the same person.