The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-11-07
MnS. CASTLES TRIAL.
An Affecting Scene when She Was
Convicted.

London, Nov. 6-Nlrs. Castle appeared
II court to-day and she was attended
;. Two female nurses and her husband.
.pon the reading of the charge. MIR.
Castle stood boldly upright and answer
ed Not guilty" to each of the seven
counts. On behalf of Mrs. Castle. Sir
Edward Clarke said that she pleaded
Sullty to each charge and proceeded to
siFe the reasons for making such n
plea.
While Sir Edward Clarke was speak
ing Mrs. Castle remained seated She
was dressed in sombre black and kept
her lace covered with a handkerchief
While the jury was being sworn the
silence was broken only by Mrs Castles
sUbbing.
v hen the first charge was read, that
OF stealing sable worth SO and II skin
worth os AIR. Avery, for the prosecution.
saiu: subject to any opinion which
your Loruship may express il appears
TO me that Mr. Castle was not q guilty
party to the thcfts. and therefore the
prosecution will not offer any evidence
against Mr.. Castle.
ne jury was instructed to return q
Veruict or not guilty" and doing so
Mr.. Castle was Immediately discharged
Sr Frank Lockwood, g. c., then be-
gan MS opening for the defense, dilatlng
IN the course Of his address upon the
terrible position of Mrs. Castle. who had
hitherto been a reputable. woman. occu
pying high social position.
MI Avery replied, giving the details of
tHe evidence as taken IN the Police
court. in :egard TO the searching of Mrs
castles trunks in which q museum of
articles were found many Of them still
having their sale tickccs attached In
not single instance. he said, was Mr.
castle detected in taking anything so
lhat she must have done her work 81,
skIfuily that even her husband, who
Vas beside her. was una Bile to see wha:
she was doing.
Sir Edward Clarke. 9. c.. for the de-
tense, said that in View of the cruehy
10 which Mis-. Castle would have been
subjected in having the facts discussed
before her. he had advised the lady 10
plead guilty. She was not in want
OIL money, ana the insanity OF her pro-
ceedinGs was proved in the fact OF her
handing piece OF fur with the sale
ticket attached, showing the name of
the owner. the price. etc. TO another
person for the purpose of getting the
fur ms tched
diseases, was called to the stand and
testified he had examined Mrs. Castle
and found tha; her condition Was such
as to justify him in cnncurring in the
statement made by S.Y Edward Clarke.
Or. George II. Savage, one of the lead
Ing specialists in female diseases in
England and others, corroboratel thi,.
testimony
While this testimony was being given
the court room had become almost Suf-
locating and n number of ladies in the
crowds were allowed to take seats upon
the Magistrates bench. an unusual oc-
currence, while others found seats upon
the stairs and in and around the coun-
seIS benches, until every inch of availa-
Bile space was filled.
Sir Edward Clarke here interposed
saying that Mrs. Castles friends were
only anxious to remove her to place
of quiet if the Court took q favorable
view of the matter.
The chairman and the magistrates
then retired To another room for the
purpose Of deliberation.
After fifteen minutes absence. the
magistrates returned to the court room
in which profound silence rcigned
Mrs. Castle was then brought into
court and the clerk Of the court an
nounced that Ella Castle had been con
weed upon all of the seven indictments
against her
Chairman Mcconnell said that he
would not prolong the painful scene.
to pass sentence. which was that the
prisoner be confined in Jail. without
hard labor, for three months.
AS the Chairman pronounced the SEN
tence all eyes turned upon Mrs Castle,
who stood daZed for Il moment and
then as the full import of the Chair
mans words came to her, became hys-
terical. obliging the nurses and the
prison warden 10 support her. She then
began to moan piteouSly, and finally TO
scream and struggle Violently. She
was removed from the room as quickly
as possible.