The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-06
Walter M. Castle Acquit-
ted in London Today.
His Wife Found Guilty of
ShOplifting, However.
Sentenced to Three Months Impris-
onment Without Hard Labor.
Copyright. 1895, by the Associated Press,

| Copyright. 1885, by the Associated Press)
LONDON, Nov. 6.-The trial OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Walter NJ Castle of San Francisco
charged with shoplifting, took place in
the sessions house at Clerkenwell today
Mr.. Castle was found not guilty anc
Mrs. Castle was sentenced to three
months imprisonment without hard la
Dor.
Mrs. Castle sobbed hysterically when
she was placed In the dock at the open
ing OF the trial, and her husband showed
the traces of much suffering. Mrs. Castle
appeared TO have aged consid erabiy since
her arrest exactly a month ago today, al
the hotel Cecil on the charge of having
stolen various articles. such as furs, etc. i,
from different stores in this city. Mr..
Castle pie AIDED first. Mrs. Castle was then
called upon TO plead, but Mr.. Clarke.
counsel for the defence, arose and said
that hls client, Mrs. Castle, would plead
guilty to ell the indictments, which
were read separately, SIR. Castle pleading
at the same time NO. guilty to each sep
arate charge. The scene was a very dis
tressing one. After the reading of the
indictments had been completed, Mr..
Horace Il. Ayers opened the case for the
prosecution. He said after careful cor
sideration that unless his Lordship ex-
pressed view to the contrary, there ap-
peared 10 be no evidence agsinst ths
male defendant, adding, ~ shall proceed
on that assumption and shall offer no
evidence against him. In the police court
we were obliged to proceed against both
prisoners, but now the wife pleading
guilty permits the withdrawal OF evidence
against her husband"
The Judge thereupon re,.;ed: ssI have
read the depositions, and can see nothing
In them inconsistent with the hus ban q
innocence. Therefore, / am'prepared to
accept the prosecuting counsePs view of
the case"
The judge thereupon directed the jury
that they cannot convict a man against
whom no evidence was presented. During
these formalities, Mr.. Castle stood in the
dock cool and impassive.
Sir Frank Lockwood, then arose and
said: II appear for Mr.. Castle. Before
the prisoner is discharged. wish to say
word on the terrible position which he
is in." Mr.. Clarke here suggested that
Mrs. Castle should be removed from the
court room during the counsel's plea for
her nussbnd, as her presence would only
add to her distress. Accordingly, Mrs.
Castle was removed, sobbing piteously.
Sir Frank lockwood then turned to MIR.
Castle and said: "You may leave the
dock, Mr.. Castle"
1t was exactly 10:45 a. m. when MIR.
Castle stepped out of the dock and was
Informed that II he so desired he could
go down and See his wife, but Mr.. Castle
preferred to take position beside his
bench, whercupon Sir Frank
Lockwood continued, saying: AZ must
touch upon the position occupied by the
WIFE," He then described the European
tour OF the Castles from the time of their
leaving San Francisco and stated that the |
court room today was crowded with men
Of high commercial positions who were
ready to testify TO Castles integrity.
Later MIR. Avery, for the prosecution,
recounted the case as proven against Mrs.
castle at the Marlboro street police court.
de demanded the articles and gave the
details OF the arrest, not omitting what
Mrs. Castle told the officer, who arrested
her. At this stege Of the proceedings
Mr.. Castle descended tine little iron stair
Ease 10 the cells TO comfort his wife and
1t about the same time, MIR. Hodson, the
of the United States EN-
1assy, ent cred the court room to watch
he case. Mr. Avery delivered the articles
ound in the rooms OF the Castles at the
iotel Cecil. he said the rooms were n
perfect museum OF valuable things, and
aid stress on the fact that many of the
rticles had upon them their original
icket marks, adding: "It is not unrsa-
onsble to assert that while many of these
hings were bought during their Euro
'ean tour there was evidence that other
hings were stolen from time to time. The
olice have evidence that one fur article
vas stolen Ia Vienna.
Mr. Clarke then MADE a long argument,
rging that Mrs. Castle was not responsi-
lie Tor the thefts she had committed.
,r. William Chapman Grigg,a specialist in
iseases OF women and a leading physi
ien OF the Queen Charlotte Lying-in.
Iospital, having 80 years experience, tes-
fed that after repeated examinations OF
Ira. Castle, he bad formed the opinion
nnt the disease she was suffering from
as one OF those which are almost always
;companied by great mental disturb BAN
's. which cause different msniscs, kIep-
'manis. religious mania, etc., in differ {
II women. Dr. Grigg added that this
isesse would take different form at the
me OF such disturbances, and he asserted
lat Mrs. Castle was clearly unaccouutable J
II her actions, aud not able to dis