The San Francisco call., 1896-11-07
NOT RESPONSIBLE,
BUT FOUND GUILTY
Unfortunate Mrs. Castle
Convicted on Charges
of Theft.
AIALa,, DL~z..;z. T1.r
Although Physicians Testify in
Her Favor She Is to Be
Kept in Jail.
THREE MONTHS IMPRISONMENT
Walter M Caste, However, Is Cleared
of the . just Accusations Made
Against Him.

LONObN, ENG, NOV. 0.-I1e case OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Walter NJ. Castle OF San
francisco, accused of shopliftins, came up
for trial in the Clerkenwell Sessions this
morning. There were seven indictments
against the prisoners, charging them with
stealing articles, the total value of which
was f43 los.
the greatest interest was manifested in
the trial. not only by the immediate friends
of the Castles, but by many others as well,
for the case has attracted general atten-
| ton. The counsel for the Castles had little
to say in advance, and what little they
said seemed to be designed rather to cheer
| their clients than to express their own be-
liefs. They were, however, or professed to
| be, 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 McCon-
nell presided, and on the bench were half
| dozen magistrates. The courtroom was
crowded, mcny of the spectators being
ladies. A number of officials of the United
States embassy were present, including
| Secretary Roosevelt and Chief Clerk Hob
| son.
The case for the prosecution opened
promptly at 10:30 o'clock. When the case
was called the chairman began proceed
| inGs by ordering the surrender of the
prisoners by their bondsmen, they having
been at liberty in $4,000 bail pending
their trial. There was momentary pahse
| 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 depressed, still
preserved a manly and self-reliant bear
| ing. During the reading of the charge
Mr. Castle remained boldly upright and
answered mot 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
reason for making such a plea, calling
attention to the physical and mental con-
dition of his client. While Sir Edward
Clarke was speaking Mrs. Castle remained
seated. She was dressed in som Der black
and kept her face covered with a handker-
chief
While the jury was being sworn the
i silence was broken only by Mrs. Castles
sobbing. When the first charge was
read-that of stealing sable tie worth f9,
and 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 party to the
thefts and, therefore, the prosecution will
not offer any evidence against Mr.. Castle.
| While the case was in the Police Court
and both prisoners were denying 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: "I have read
the dispositions carefully and have ar
rived at the same conclusion. There is
nothing in the evidence that has i'm
peached the innocence of Mr.. Castle and
L entirely approve the course you have
| taken in the matter"
| Mr. Avery, upon receiving the reply Of
the chairman, announced formally that
the prosecution would not offer any evil
dence against Mr.. Castle.
The chairman then addressed the jury,
saving: ''As there is no evidence to sup
port the indictment against the defend
ant, Walter M. Castle, it is your duty to
render verdict of not guilty."
The jury responded with verdict of not
guilty and Mr.. Castle was Immediately
discharged. Upon application of Sir Ed.
ward Clarke to the court Mrs. Castle was
allowed to leave the courtroom attended
by her nurses.
Sir Frank Lockwood, O. c., then began
his opening for the defense, dilatlng in
the course of his address upon the terrible
position of Mrs. Castle, who had hitherto
been reputable woman, occupying a
high social position.
MIR. Avery replied. giving the details of
the evidence as taken in the Police Court
in regard to the searching of Mrs. Castles
trunks. in which museum of articles was
found. MANY OF them still having their
sale tickets attached. In not a single in
stance, ne said, was Mrs. Castle detected
in taking anything, so that she must have
done her work so skillfully that even her
husband, who was beside her, was unable
to see what she was doing.
Sir Edward Clarke, @. c., for the defense
said that in view of the cruelty to which
Mrs. Castle would have been subjected
in having the facts discussed before her he
had advised the lady to plead guilty. She
was not in want of money, and that it was
insanity that caused the thefts was proved
in the fact of her handing piece of fur
with ticket attached showing the name
of the owner, price. etc., to another person
for the purpose OF getting the fur matched.
Mrs. Castle, he said, had had a mental
/ maladY when she was a girl and that