Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-03
CARLYLE HARRIS CONVICTED,
Tho Jury Find Him Guilty Of Poisonin
His Young Wife Helen.

His Young Wife Helen.
One year and one day after the death
Of his schoolgirl wife, Carlyle W. Harris last
night in New York, was convicted of poisoning
her. The jury which on Sunday he said he re-
garded as an exceptionally intelligent group of
men. at thirteen minutes to II o'clock returned
verdict. finding him guilty of murder in the
first degree. 1t took these jurymen but short
time to arrive at their verdict
When the words Of the foreman, 'Guilty of
murder in the first degree" were uttered, Mrs.
f. McCready Harris, the prisoners mother,
shrieked and fell to the floor. MY God!" she
cried, ''where is justice? It's lie!''
The murderer turned to comfort his mother
"Carl is all right" he whispered to her.
There, mother. it is only for a time. This
won't stand"
'The recorder did it," cried Mrs. Harris, who
was utterly overcome.
The recorder thanked the jury for the atten-
ton they had given to the case. He said from
the evidence he did not see how any other
verdict could have been found
Mr.. Taylor argued the case for the defense
yesterday and Mr.. Wellman for the prosecu-
ton. When the counsel had finished their add
dresses, which occupied many hours. Recorder
Smythc delivered his charge to the jury. His
charge Is regarded impartial. After review
ing the evidence lie asked: WAS her death due
TO morphine poisoning. and, ii SO, did Harris
administer the fatal dose?''
The prosecution claimed that he did. and the
medical experts testified that the autopsy re-
vealed the fact tina: there was morphine in the
stomach. This was denied by the defense but
1t rested with the jury to determine the facts
Did any person have any motive for killing
Helen Potts other than her husband? If 30.
motive. and. if SO, what was it? The prosecu-
ton had endeavored to show that Harris was
fearful that 1t should be known that he was
married and also that he wanted to marry a
richer girl than even Helen Potts. The girls
mother had insisted upon public acknowl-
edgment and it was only Just before that &C.
knowledgment was due that the girl died.
The recorder then defined the different de-
grees of murder and manslaughter and ex-
planned the law by which the jury must be
governed.
MOST SENSATIONAL CASE.
The case has been one of the most sensational
of its kind in recent years and has attracted a
widespread interest On February /, 1891,
Helen Potts, daughter of q wealthy railroad
contractor of Asbury Park. N. j.. who was in
attendance at a fashionable boarding school in
New York city, died after brief illness. The
death at first was supposed to be due to natural
causes, and preparations proceeded for the
funeral. Then, in some manner, the name Of
Carl yle Harris of Asbury Park, who was study
ing medicine in New York city, became linked
with that Of the dead girl. The whispers grew
as time progressed until finally the New York
authorities took cognizance of the matter and
an autopsy was held on the body of the young
lady, which resulted in the discovery that death
was due to morphine poisoning.
Harris was arrested and indicted, and then
the fact leaked out that he and Miss Potts had
been clandestinely married. Facts were devel-
oped which showed the young mans character
up in no favorable light and the authorities be-
came convinced that he had murdered the
young woman. He admitted having prescribed
some morphine pills for his wife for some affec-
ton which LIE claimed she was AFFLICTED with,
but stated that the doses were not sufficiently
large to do her harm.
About two weeks ago the case came to trial
and has been progressing ever since.