Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-16
SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS PENAL
SERyITUDE FOR FRAUD.
CASHED TWO FORGED NOTES.
OLD BAILEY PACKED WITH A FASH
IONABLE AUDIENCE.
Ladies' Broke Into SObs When Sem
tence Was PronOunced-JudGe
Rebukes the Expression of
sympathy and ExcOri-
ates the Prisoner.

London, Feb. lin the central criminal
court to-day. Lord William Neville, fourth
son of the Marquis of Abergavenny, VINO
was placed on trial charged with fraud IN
connection with the suit Of Sam Lewis,
the money lender, against Spencer Clay TO
recover $4,000 due on two promissory notes
cashed by Lord Neville. pleaded guilty OF
fraud, but claimed he was not guilty or
forgery He was sentenced to five years
penal servitude.
No case has ever before brought such 4
fashionable crowd to the Old Bailey.
Broughams blocked the approaches, and
ladies in their smartest frocks overflowed
the jury box and barristers' seats. Lady
Neville was present. The prisoner was evil
IDENTIFY Ill at ease, but he answered TO the
indictment in clear tones.
After the futter caused by his pleading
guilty of fraud had subsided. the prisoner
was allowed to take seat in the dock, as
he is recovering from a serious illness.
Prosecutor Matthews narrated the cir
cumstances of the fraud. as already known,
and at the conclusion of his remarks he
intimated that he would accept the pris-
oner's plea as satisfying the requirements
of justice.
MIR. Lawson Walton pointed out that Lord
Neville had voluntarily come forward to
face the consequence of his deception and
had fully confessed. The prisoner, he said,
was in great financial difficulties. and had
not realized that he was committing a
breach of the criminal law. The prisoner.
Mr.. Walton further said. never intended
that Lieutenant Clay should suffer-. He be-
leved the securities would remain in the
hands of Mr.. Sam Lewis until he secured
money elsewhere.
Mr.. Walton's effort at extenuation was
applauded by the spectators.
Prosecutor Matthews again arose. and,
adverting to the statement regarding Lord
Neville's Illness, which had been ascribed
to overindulgence in morphia. and which
prevented the prisoner from making an ar
rangement with Mr.. Lewis in regard to the
| notes and thus obviating the present prose-
cution. said that Lord Neville's other LA
bilities to Mr.. Lewis amounted to $3.50. 600
when the notes were signed.
Here Mr.. Walton interposed. remarking:
II believe the sS50.000 has been paid
Judge Lawrence summed up sternly, but
With voice which shook and at times al
most broke with emotion. The judge said:
In my opinion, the crime is as great as
though he had distracted the sum from
Lieutenants Clay's pocket or had burglar
| lied Mr.. Lewis office and had stolen it.
If 1t had been some wretched clerk with
wife and seven children, who had in
Cured a heavy loss and had helped himself
at his masters till, l am afraid there would
have been no one to speak in extenuation;
but the higher position a person holds, the
higher his responsibilities.
Il am sorry to say have looked in vain
for extenuating circumstances. 1t is as bad
a case of fraud as it is possible to conceive.
You have brought shame and dishonor up
on an ancient and noble family, and sorrow
and suffering upon your nearest and dear
est. Your crime is great, and your sem
tence @ must be = severe It Is that yon be
The prisoner was hurried off to Newgate
prison, where he was allowed an interview
with his wife and another lady. After the
interviews. Lord Neville was removed to
Wormwood Scrubbs prison.
The prisoners face did not evince much
surprise at the severity of his sentence; but
his unsteady gait on leaving the prison.
er's dock showed that he had been hard hit.
The sentence caused great sensation
among those present in the court and
many of the ladies broke into sobs.