Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-07
MRS. CASTLE CONVICTED.
Petition 10 the Queen-Mr. Castle
Discharged.

DlHcHAIEchs
LONDON. November 6.-The case of
Mr. and Mrs. Walter NJ. Castle. OF San
Francisco. who are accused Of shop
lifting came up for trial in the Clerken-
we'll sessions this morning. There were
seven indictments against the prisoners
charging them with stealing articles the
total value of which was fi3., los.
Chairman Mcconnell presided, and on
the bench with him were half a dozen
magistrates. The courtroom was crowd
"a. many Of the spectators being
ladies'. A number Of the officials Of the
United States embassy We're also present,
including Secretary Roosevelt and Chief
Clerk Hodson.
The prosecution stated that It appeared
that Mr.. Castle was not a party 10 the
thefts. and that therefore no evidence
would ho offered against him. BY direc-
tion OF the chairman the jury rendered
verdict Of not guilty In his case. Mrs.
Castle. however. was found guilty on all
indictments. and sentenced TO three
months imprisonment.
Application has been made TO the Home
Office for Mrs. Castles release, and it is
understood she will be liberated in a
Jew days.
MRS. CASTLES DERANGEMENT.
WASHINGTON. d. c., November g.
The following has been received at the
State Department:
London, November 9Th, l2:iO p. VI.
"Olney. Secretary. Washington:
prosecution against Castle withdrawn.
Mrs. Castle sentenced on formal plea TO
minimum Imprisonment. without labor
Application for total remission instantly
urged. Mental disorder unquestionable."
THE PLEAS.
Mrs. Castle appeared in court attended
by two female nurses and her husband.
Upon the reading Of the charge Mr. Cas-
tie stood boldly upright. and answered,
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.
While Sir Edward Clarke was speaking.
Mrs Castle remained seated She was
dressed in sombre black. and kept her
face covered with 4 handkerchief. While
the jury were being sworn the silence
was broken by Mrs. Castles sobbng.
When the first charge was read-that
Of stealing a sable tie worth 60 and a
skin worth shillings-Mr. Avery, for
the prosecution, said: Subject to any
opinion which your Lqrdship may express.
il appears 10 me that Mr.. Castle was
not party 10 the thefts. and. there
fore. the prosecution Will not offer any
evidence against Mr.. Castle. While the
case was i'm the Police Court, and both
prisoners were denying guilt, it was i'm
possible for the prosecution TO take this
course, for. as long as the wife denied
her guilt. it was possible that the hus-
rand had taken the things"
The Chairman replied: II have read
The depOsitiOns carefully. and have ar
ived at the same conclusion. There IS
nothing in the evidence that has i'm
peached the innocence Of Mr.. Castle. and
/ entirely approve the course you nave
taken In the matter"
Mr. Avery. upon receiving the reply Of
the chairman. announced formally that
the prosecution would not offer any svi-
| Ience against Mr.. Castle. The Chairman
rhen addressed the jury. saying; AS
here is no evidence 10 support the ndict-
ment against the defendant Walter II.
Castle, il is your duty TO render a verdict
of not guilty"
The jury responding with a verdict Of
not guilty. Mr.. Castle was Immediately
discharged. and upon the application OF
Sir Edward Clarke to the court, Mrs.
l Castle WIS tilVNtb 10 l'df' lNt NVult-
room. attended by her nurses
MRS. CASTLES DEFENCE.
Sir Frank Lockwood. Queens Counsel,
began his opening for the defence. dilat-
ing In the course Of his address
apon the terrible position of Mrs. Castle
who had hitherto been reputable wo-
man. occupying a high social position.
Mr.. Avery replied, giving the details OF
he evidence as taken in the Police Court
in regard to the searching of Mrs
,astle's trunks. in which a museum OF
| lrtlcles was found. many Of them still
having their sale tickets attached. In
not a single instance, he said, was Mrs
-astle detected in taking anything, 50
nat she must have done her work 50
.l<ilfully that even her husband, who was
.eside her. was unable 10 see what she
| was doing. -
rrr the defence said that. IN view of the
.ruelty TO which Mrs. Castle would have
| zen subjected In having the facts dis
oussed before her, he had advised th'
adv TO plead guilty. She was not II
,ant Of money. and the insanity OF hei
| proceedings was proved by the fact o
her handing a piece Of fur. with the sale
.lcket attached, showing the name o
the owner, the price, ETC.. TO another
nerson, for the purpose Of getting the fu
| matched. Mrs. Castle. he said. had has
| a entail rnalady when she was u girl