The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1900-06-21
Fred Dinglc, the All-Round Crook,
Pleads His Own Case in a
Sensational Trial.
THE STORY OF HIS CRIME,
He Acknowledged Having Committed Larceny
but Wanted to Escape the Heavier
Penalty of Robbery.

Fred L. Dlngle was convicted on Tues
day of robbing Norman Stevens on the
l1th day of May. The story has been
OF how Dingle obtained the affections OF
Mrs. Musa Brackenbury, took her to
a low crib kept by Annie Smith and
Johnny Cox and then inveigled Norman
Stevens to the dive and after drugging
his beer proceeded to relieve him of his
purse containing about $50. Dingle and
Mrs. Brackenbury we're arrested shortly
afterward on the charge of adultery.
She turned states evidence and then
Dingle, the Smith woman and Cox were
charged with the robbery of Stevens
and held for trial in the superior court.
Attorney Englehart was retained by Cox
and Miss Smith and asked for a separate
trial, Dingle announcing his intention Of
defending his own case.
The court room was we'll filled during
the entire trial, and in many ways it was
remarkable proceeding. Dingle's wit
nesses were his companions OF the ten
deroiD district, both black and white,
and their aim was to get the prisoner off
on the charge of larceny. He admitted
this crime but denied that he obtained
money through violence or the creation
of fear. The penalty for grand larceny
is from six months to IA years and for
robbery from l year to 20 years in the
penitentiary. Mrs. Brackenbury WAS on
the stand for long time and while her
memory was slightly defective in some
respects, she maintained her story
pretty well throughout, and while
showing the criminal character of
the prisoner beyond question, convicted
herself OF having wantonly tumbled into
the quagmire of vice. She quickly be.
came familiar with the low terms OF her
companions and ratified them off as
glibly as one to the slums born. She
caused ripple of merriment in the court
room when Dingle was oss-questioni
her as to why she was in the adjoining
She promptly answered, "You said you
wanted me to see what hero YOU was,
so that | could be assured that you won Id
love, cherish and protect me through
life" This was too much even for Din
gle, and heightened color was notice
able, while the gravity OF the Judge on
bo hapob vroo ,,pbo loDoaJ
Warden Catron, OF the state peniten-
tiary, was present prepared to testify as
to Dingle's having been an inmate of
that institution, and as to his having the
reputation of being an all-round 'bad
man." but this trouble was saved him,
for Dngle acknowledged to having been
an inmate of the penitentiary for eight
years, but claimed that he was the VIC
tim of unfortunate circumstances.
Johnny Cox also admitted that he had
done time, but the admission was N ade
reluctantly and he said no more about it
than he was compelled to. Conviction
was inevitable. Dingle's appearance,
knowledge of criminal procedure, man.
ner Of examining witnesses. his own adj
missions and his associates were enough
to convict him. even without the testi-
mony of the witnesses for the state, but
the only point to be considered was
whether the crime was larceny or rob
berry, and under the instructions OF the
judge verdict was rendered under the
latter head.