New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-12
Use OF A "MASK FOR CRIME"
LECTURE BY FRANK SULLIVAN SMITH BE-
FORE THE SOCIETY OF MEDICAL JURIS-
PRUDENCE-THE HENDRICKS
MURDER CASE.

MURDER CASE.
"a Mask for Crime" was the title Of interesting
and suggestive paper read before the Society or
Medical Jurisprudence last night by Frank Sullivan
Smith of the New-York bar. After the preliminary
business of the session had been disposed OF the
president Edward +. Brush. introduced the speaker
Mr. Smith held that in the analysis OF crime given
a motive with inclination. the only thing wanting
was opportunity. Masks of many different xmas
were worn by the perpetrators OF crime whereby 10
conceal traces that might lead TO their own con-
viction. Subterfuges of one kind and another were
resored to- and 1hese were most frequently utilized
by persons who had previously borne gooi reputa-
lions When Rachel stole her fathers gods ana
concealed them under her seat in her own tent only
her previous good reputation prevented the search-
ers from invading this sacred spot. AbSaomS Good
reputation went far toward protecting him IN the
cofspiracv against his father. and Richard III saiu
of himself: Il seem most saint when most play
the devil"
From Richard of the three straight marks MT
Smith came down 10 the modern bank CASHIER VINO
stands In Sunday-school as superintendent on inc
first day OF the week and seems most saint y"
week days one accessory resorted to by the ma"
of good conduct after committal of crime was INC
innicton of Fictitious wounds upon his own person
in order to lend color to his story of assault upon
himself. An old criminal never resorted 10 an! su'h
extremity, he feared the wounds might SERVE an
other purpose-that Of convincing the jury that nc
had had struggle with MS Vlcuhi' nc Ho'u '''"'
the medical jurist has a most important WORK 10
perform in cases of this character because the eV
dence is generally purely circumstantal ana the
means adopted by the prisoner 20 secure his acqut-
raj ust be skilfuly turned 10 account to prove him
guilty
Mr. Smith then gave the facts in eXtenso OF an IN
;eresiing case unrepored. of Henry G.. HendrIchs,
who was convicted OF numbering his wife in lSI'. IN
one OF the counties of this State HendricKs shot MS
wife as she lay in bed asleep. HIS desire was 70 ps
rid Of hpvi n
woman of whom he had become enamour~l Then,
as the prosecution proved, he went out on t.e P1 -
and carefully gathering up the flesh and SKIN OF hs
left thigh between the fingers ana 'num9 % an n' h
hand, he shot ball through the raised nesh NV
finger and in the thumb All of the wounds so made
we're on the left side All were superficial, and me
as to the aversion and of the skin on the
two sides of the wound. but there were powder
burglar shot his wife. and that he himself was 'ho,
by the robber in pursuing him ne ma H, ' frnm
tn. revolver Of the fleeing man had struck si'er
pasSng through his leg The weapon ne had useI 10
Smith said nothing about is that burglars DO not
carry weapons of that sort when they are OUT on
business The case was clearly established against
The moral which Mr. Smith drew from his paper
was the necessity OF lifting expert testimony 10 a
higher standard. and he cited the case OF an expert
In the Hendricks who was retained by the prose
G cut no at s'a,ea lss ee him By friend
OF the prisoner. The paper was discussed by John
abn Smith and by DR. of the Se W9SGs
in cases Of suicide that they invariably show powder
facture of pisto's was begun If the weapon was
close to the head the powder residue would pene-
rate the brain ard tear that organ all TO Pc'e b
web OF the garment would not only be found at the
jagged opening of the wound but along the entire
The following were elected to membership: Z. r.
Hns9n R W g. I hfSg fn nse JOHN
Robinson. and DR.. George {. jeffrey. OF Brooklyn.