Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-28

our marriage has no legal value either IN
France or England. In consequence 1
warn the public that the girl, suzanne Au-
don, has no right to call herself my wire.
and that II che does 30 will prosecute
Us 5slSned, "wrrTlNdHAM"
PATERNAL GUIDANCE
The prisoner said that his father had
guided his hand when he wrote that. Ev-
idence was given by Nine. Audon. VINO
described In detail the whole sad ahair.
While she was speaking W1tfingham SAT
with his face buried In his hands. sobpins
loudly.
Several OF Nine. wittinghams intimate
friends then gave evidence OF the goodness
OF her character and OF the fear OF her
husband in which she continually hvea'
Some friends Of the prisoner gave e''-
dence on his behalf. He was declared =.
be remarkably courageous. But ~ chiu
he was often cruel. He had hanged ono
cat and shot another. But nc hao o"e'
saved a dog from drowning. A..
DR.. Roux. the medical man OF th' Au
don family gave evidence to the eIecl
that Nottingham was continually urging
his wife TO commit suicide When 'he
Doctor met Wittingham on the promenade
at Royan a few days after this conn.,
dence had been made TO him. ne sa'u.
young man. II / were Nj. Audoh' youi
father-in-law. you would not i've iohs'
/ would blow your brains out. Such crea-
lures as you ought to be got rtd OF.
REVOLVING GOODNESS.
II was Or Roux who was called IN
after Mrs. Nottingham had received .ei
death-wound. and he said that In ,he
presence OF his wife's corpse Wi''ing"a -,
displayed such revolving coolness ana III
difference that he was Obliged 10 'uii'
him out of the house. ,,,.,
!. II was n touching scene when MISS
Mary Wittingham, the young sister Vi
tho nrisoner. went TO tina witness box 10
give evidence on her brothers benai'
Vben she had given her evidence the
moor girl went up to her br0ther anu
thew kissed one another. both OF theH
sobbing bitterly. A.. pro-
when. however. NJ. Delvieux. the FRO
curator of the Republic. began his speech
for the prosecution the effect OF TINS pa
thetic incident on the judgment VI ''-
Jury must soon have been dissipa'eu.
He naintcd Nottingham in the blackest
coIors and characterized him in down
r,ght terms as a murderer. He said :hat
tho Young man did not possess that ioiu-
,oss Of soul necessary TO accept sucn d
ITO as he had made for himself by MS
marriage with the daughter OF iheI.
nilot. He had not the courage 10 lo'sv'
his origin. his riches, and his IaShiohdpie
life and become a workman. sihce ms
work had become indispensable for the
existence of his family.
MOTIVE OF THE CRIME.
The Procurator Of the Republic, con-
timing his scathing speech. said ,na'
no was convinced that Bernard Writing
ham decided to murder his wire on INC
day that he found that she was enc,
int. He knew that by divorce ne couIu
get rid Of his wife. especially az 'nc
Audon family seemed willing 10 help IN
bringing one about but the prospect on
n child who would be his son ana VINO
would bear his name rendered inc s'"
alton less simple. The child wpuia pc
an eternal fetter, and, continued ,ne
prosecuting counsel, he resolNeu u IL"
sure its disappearance by dolhs away
with the mother. Continuing NJ. Der
yieux said that on March 18th Nl'''hs
ham made a last journey TO Lohuoh u
find out IL there was any means OF an,
nulling the marriage. When ne iouiiu
thai there was none he returned on
uarcb 18Th with n winchester rifle. A few
hours after his return Mrs. Wlttinshah
was dead. The generalization was iohs'
the crime pitiless, and the motive III
famous. 49,.
Counsel for the defence supporter ,he
bvnothesls of an accident. There was
night sitting OF the court. Inc jury
went out TO consider their verdict d.
balf-past 10. At II o'clock they returned
with a verdict declaring Bernard WIZ
tingham guilty OF wilful murder, but
admitting extenuatine circumstances.
and the prisoner was sentenced II twenty
,ears' nenal servitude.