The Indianapolis journal., 1893-12-13

Trial of the Scotch Murder and In
surnnese Case

surnnce Case.
EDINBURGH, Dec. 2.-The long ex-
pected trial of Alfred John Monson. a
tutor charged with the murder of Lieut.
Windsor Dudley Cecil Hambrough opened
this morning in the sheriff's court before
Lord Kingsburgh, Lord Justice Clerk of
Scotland. The trial just commenced in
wolves the solution of what is known as
the "Ardlamont murder mystery" and
dates from August last. when Lieutenant
Eambrough was found dead from a gun
shot wound in a wood near Ardlamont
House. near Ardlamont, one of the low
liest parts of the Clyde. at the entrance Of
the famous Kyles of Butte and about twen-
ty minutes steam from Rothesay, the pref
tiest seaside resort in Scotland.
The number of witnesses and reporters
present in court this morning was so great
that very few of the general public were
admitted. and those who managed to get
inside the court were reiegated to three
rows of seats at the back of the gallery
The trial OF MonsOn is of special interest
TO all life insurance companies. and espe-
cially TO the Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany, which is interested 10 the extent of
100000 as 1t had two policies of 10000 each
on the Lieutenants life, policies which are
said TO have been secured through Monson.
MonsOn, the prisoner, is short. slim, very
young looking, clean shaven. gentle look
ing man. he was thoroughly composed and
wore a long, dark brown overcoat. from
the breast pocket OF which a light silk
handkerchief was tastefully placed
The Lord Justice addressed the prisoner
IN strong low. monotOnous voice which
could be heaFd distinctly In every part of
the court room. SAYING: You have al
ready pleaded not guilty to the charges
brought against you. Do you adhere to
this plea of not guilty%" /" Monson then
arose trom his seat in the dock and turn
ing toward the Lord Justice he said i'm q
The work Of selecting jury to try the
prisoner was then quickly proceeded with
and "hfteen good men and true were soon
obtained anu sworn to do their duty The
prisoner was noticed TO watch the selection
OF the jury with the keeDest attention:
not a movement. an expression or a word
upon the part of any of the iurymen es-
caped him. and he eagerly scanned their
faces as they took seats i'm the Jury box
evidently weighing over in his mind his
chances OF convincing one or all of the
jurvmen of his innocence.
The, first witness called was James
Brand. civil engineer. who with the aid
of a map. gave full description of Ardla-
mont House and the grounds surrounding
e. Mr.. Bland also gave in the most min
Ute detail, the measurements of the dis
tances from place to place where the body
was found 10 the various trees and to the
seemed 70 be attached TO the evidence of
Brand. His crOss-examination develODed
the fact that his exarnination of the ground
was made two months after the death OF
Lieutenant HambrOugh and that all his
Information in regard as TO where the
body was found came from others The
civil engineer was also examined at length
IS TO the nature of the ton of the dyke
near which the body found the de-
fense evidently trying to show that IL was
necessary TO walk with the greatest of
care in this spot in order TO prevent falling
Several Witnesses were examined before
adjournment The prisoner throughout the
days proceedings was composed and cool
though IL was evident that not a word of
the testimony escaped him. The scene i'm
the court decidedly picturesque and
quite different from the dull appearance
or the English courts.