Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-04
IT WAS NOT STOLEN.
End Of the Leader-Smyth Slander
Suit !
THE PLAINTIFF PROVES RER INNOCENCE
The British Bark Norcross Burned
at Sea.
OTHER TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
OTHER TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
1T WAS A sLANDER.
Mrs. Leader Did Not steal the brooch Ne
longing TO Mrs. Smyth.

longing TO Mrs. Smyth.
LONDON. Nov. &-The queens bench divi-
sion Of her majesty's high court Of justice was
again crowded today with an aristocratio
throng, all curious TO hear the conclusion of
the celebrated Leader-smyth case, which IL an
action for damages for slander brought BY
Mrs. Lieut. Leader against Mrs Mai. Gen.
Gibbons Smvth.
The latter charges that Mrs. Leader while on
a visit 10 her house September q. 1891,
stole brooch belonging TO Mrs. Smyth, which
the Inter declared she subsequently, saw ex-
posed for sale in jewelers. shop. Mrs. Smyth
procured the brooch by threatening 10 take
legal action against the jeweler and then wrote
a letter TO Mrs. Leader, who was in India with
her husband, accusing her Of the theft and
stating that IL she desired to avoid publicity
she must send guineas 20 cover
the costs Of recovering the brooch
Instead of replying 90 this letter Mr.
Leader as soon possible after the receipt
thereof instructed counsel 90 bring a suit for
damages for SANDER against Mrs. Smyth. Mrs
Leader Acknowledged selling n brooch Go the
jeweler in hose shop the alleged stolen article
was found. but declared that the brooch she
sold Was her personal property. IL having been
given to her by friend-Capt Trench-ss Q
wedding gift.
CROWD OF sPEcTAroRs
Today was the fourth day Of the trial. and a.
the case has progressed interest in il increased
and late comers found If impossible to get into
the court room
When Justice Day had taken his seat on the
bench and the court was declared open Mr.
Lockwood. counsel for Mrs. Leader, took up
the summing up at the point where he Was in
terrupted Yesterday by the adjournment of the
court. lie reminded the jury that the jeweler
who sold Mrs. Smyth the brooch had failed after
three examinations TO find his private MARI ON
hrOOeh rrn in a..
brooch Mrs. Leader had sold. The main issue
OF the case being one Of identity the evidence
Of this jeweler absolutely in favor of Mrs
Leader. 4 bad feature in the line OF defense
Was the harping upon Mrs. Leaders association
with Capt Trench.
Counsel for the defendant had asked the iurv
10 think lightly of Mrs. Leader. Why were
these shafts leveled at Mrs. Leader unless it
were 10 hurt her reputation and percl.anos
wound the heart of her husband? What must
have been the object Of the defendants in in
structing their counsel 20 refer TO Capt Trench7
But they seemed TO have forgotten that NJ Mrs
Leader had been so friendly with Capt Trench
1t made II all the more probable that he would
have sent her present ON the occasion Of her
marriage. He asked the jury TO consider tho
strong improbability of a woman Of Mrs Lead
ers position, with plenty of money and jew-
elry. stealing brooch Of minor value from the
dressing table OF her friend while the friend
was In the room. wearing il on the same day
and selling il within a stones throw Of MIRA
Smyths house.
At this point the audience applauded.
Justice DAY remarked "If knew who were
the vulgar persons who applauded and who are
treating the court room place Of private
entertainment | would give them such punish
ment as would prevent them for . long period
from making similar noises"
Justice Day then proceeded TO sum up ths
case. He expressed surprise at the line OF de-
fonse. Continuing. he said that II the deforA-
ant had pleaded uAnt she had uttered - -
der on a privileged occasion he might
have held that that view was right
IN the absence Of express proof Of
malice. But the defense justified the
SANDER and undertook 10 prove 20 the satisfso-
tion of the jury that the brooch had been stolen
by Mrs. Leader from Mrs. smvth's room. It
was a curious coincidence that these two ladies'
friends should possess brooches Of a pattern
from which the original maker knew of
only nine being manufactured until 1891
IL was also curious coincidence that
both ladies should cease 20 posse.s
them at about the same time = Mrs.
Smyth losing hers and Mrs Leader selling
hers. With regard to Mrs. Leaders position it
was important to remember that she was not in
want Of money. Viewing all the evidence he
must say that If the case had been taken TO
criminal court he would not. on the evidence Of
Mrs. Smyth, have allowed the charge TO go be-
fore jury. II was open TO the present Jury to
malice in u;tering the charge against MIRA
Leader.
VERDICT FOR THE PLAINTIFF.
The jury retired at l:l0 and returned at l:8S
with a verdict awarding Mrs. Leader f5O0
damages.
The verdict was greeted with applause,
which the court Immediately suppressed Tho
friends Of Mrs Leader crowded around her
and enthusiastically congratulated her. She
waited in the court room only long enough 70
shake hands with Mr.. Lockwood, after which,
accompanied by her husband, she quickly
walked through the corridor and entered can.
large crowd was blocking the street and
Mrs. Leader, when she recognized, was
loudly cheered. The police attempted 10 clear
the street, but their efforts were vain until
after Mrs. Leader had passed.
Gen. and Mrs. Smyth waited in the court
room until the spectators had dispersed In
the meantime they held a whispered consulta-
tion with their friends. The verdict means,
with costs and additional damages, that the
defendants will have to pay at least Il, 500.