The record-union., 1896-11-07
The Husband Acquitted of Completely
in the Charge.
r1edical Experts Testify That the
Lady'S rlind is Unstable, and That
She Was Not Responsible for Her
ACts-Belief'T That She Will be Par
doned Within a Few Days.

LONDON, Nov. 6.-The case of Mr..
and Mrs. Walter NJ. Castle of San Fran
cisco, who are accused of shoplifting,
came up for trial in the Clerkenwell ses-
sions this morning. There were seven
indictments against the prisoners,
charging them with stealing articles,
the total value of which was f4O los.
The greatest interest was manifested
III the trial not only by the immediate
friends of the Castles, but by many
others as well, for the case has at
tracted general attention. The counsel
for the Castles had little to say in ad-
vance, and what little they said seemed
to be designed rather to cheer their eli
ents than to express their own beliefs.
They were, however, confident of the
acquittal of Mr.. Castle. Where the
doubt entered was in the case of Mrs.
Castle.
That she was in deplorable physical
and mental condition was asserted, but
on the other hand the jury that was to
try her was made up of the same kind
of men as those who had suffered from
the thefts committed, and mercy could
not be expected from them.
Chairman Mcconnell presided, and on
the bench with him were half a dozen
magistrates. The courtroom was
crowded, many of the spectators being
United States Embassy were present,
including Secretary Roosevelt and Chief
Clerk Hobson.
The case for the prosecution opened
promptly at 1870 o'clock. When the
case was called the Chairman began
proceedings by ordering the surrender
of the prisoners by their bOndsmen,
they having been at liberty in f40,00O
bail pending their trial. There was
n omentary pause before the defendants
appeared, and the crowd of spectators
remained hushed and expectant until
the Castles entered and were formally
surrendered
Mrs. Castle seemed almost prostrated
She was attended by two nurses and
helped to her place by her husband,
who, though he seemed greatly de-
pressed, still preserved manly and
self-reliant bearing.
During the reading Of the charge Mr.
Castle remained boldly upright and an
swered Not guilty to each Of the
seven counts.
On behalf of Mrs. Castle, Sir Edward
Clarke said that she pleaded guilty to
each charge, and proceeded to give the
reasons for making such a. plea, calling
attention to the physical and mental
condition of his client
While Sir Edward Clarke was speak
ing Mrs. Castle remained seated. She
was dressed in somber black and kept
her face covered with handkerchief.
While the jury was being sworn the
silence was broken only by Mrs. Castles
sobbing.
When the first charge was read-that
skin worth ) shillings-Mr. Avery, for
the prosecution, said:
Subject to any opinion which your
lordship may express, it appears to me
that Mr.. Castle was not a party to the
thefts, and therefore the prosecution
will not offer any evidence against Mr.
Castle. While the case was in the Po-
lice Court and both prisoners were de-
rying their guilt, it was impossible for
the prosecution to take this course. FOR
as long as the wife denied her guilt.
it was possible that the husband had
taken the things"
The Chairman replied: 81 have read
the dispositions carefully and have ar
rIVed at the same conclusion There is
nothing in the evidence that has inn
peached the innocence of Mr. Castle,
and l entirely approve the course you
have taken in the matter"
Mr.. Avery, upon receiving tha replv
of the Chair anpo,rpcad
tiat the prosecution would not offer
any evidence against Mr.. Castle.
The Chairman then addressed tha
jury, saying: "As there is no evidence
to support the indictment against the
defendant, Walter M. Castle, it is your
duty to render verdict of not guilty"
The jury responded with a verdict of
not guilty and Mr. Castle was imme-
diately discharged. Upon application
CT Sir Edward Clarke to the court, Mrs.
Castle was allowed to leave the court
room, attended by her nurses
Sir Frank Lockwood @. c., then be-
gan his opening for the defense. dilat.
ing in the course of his address upon
the terrible position of Mrs. Castle. who
had hitherto been a reputa BILE woman.
occupying high social position.
Mr.. Avery replied, giving the detaily
OF the evidence as taken in the Polica
Court in regard to the searching OF Mrs.
castles trunks, in which a museum of
articles was found. many of them still
haVlng their sale tickets attached. In
not a single instance, he said, was Mrs.
Castle detected in taking anything. so
that she must have done her work so
skilifuily that even her husband. who
was beside her, was unable to see what
she was doing.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q. c.. for tho de-
fense, said that in view of tbe crnarty
which Mrs. Castle would have been snl,-
Jected to in having the facts discussed
before her, he had advised the ladv Ia
Piead guilty She was not in want OF
money, and that it was insanity that
caused the thefts was proved in thu
tact OF her handing a piece of fur with
ticket attached showing the name of
the owner, price. etc, to another per-
son Tor the purpose of getting the FUR
matched. Mrs. Castle. he saii. had
had mental malady when she was a
girl and that malady had been recur-
ring during the last few months.
Several medical experts were then
called to the stand and testified that
Mrs. Castle was of unstable mind and
irresponsible for her actions. They
agreed that her further Imprisonment
would imperil her reason.
The Chairman said that the question
as to the effect which Imprisonment
would have upon Mrs. Castle was one
which must be considered elsewhere
The Chairman and the magistrate re-