Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-12
TESTIMONY IS
GIVEN IN SECRET
THE CELEBRATED TOWNSHEND
CASE COMES TO CLOSE
Marquis, After Telling story Behind
Closed oors, Is Declared Not DAM
gerous, but Incapable of Man.
aging His Estate
BY Associa ted Press.

BY Associa ted Press
LONDON, Aug. 1t.-What in legal
history will be considered a celebrated
case was concluded today when a jury
in the historic old hall of Lincoln's Inn,
inquiring at the instance of the official
solicitor into the mental condition of
the Marquis Townshend, returned the
capable of taking care of himself, being
dangerous neither to himself nor 9TH
ers but that he is of unsound mind
so far as managing his affairs is con-
cerned.
The case, which has aroused great
public interest, developed some sem
sational as well as unpleasant testi-
mony.
Testimony Given in Secret
It was marked today by an extraor-
dinary incident. when the jury, against
the wishes of the Judge, insisted on
hearing Townshend's testimony in Sc
cret, and even refused the request Of
the marchioness for permission to be
present. Then, before the lawyers
closing address had been concluded
the members of the jury announced
that they had made up their minds.
After the judges charge they were
out only ten minutes.
1t was alleged that the marquis was
unduly influenced by one Robbins,
whom he had known for several years,
and the marchioness testified that
Robbins influence over the marquis
had brought about separation be-
tween herself and her husband soon
after their marriage.
Sought American Heiress
It developed, also, that the young
marquis, finding his estate heavily
mortgaged, was persuaded to seek a
wealthy alliance. One witness testified
that his engagement to an American
heiress had been nearly concluded
when he became affianced to Miss
Sutherst, whose father, barrister
was an undischarged bankrupt, but
whom the marquis and his advisers
thought was wealthy. A Somerset
house clerk named Dunno acted as the
marriage broker Townshend signsd a
contract to pay him 10 per cent out
of whatever moneys were received
from the Sutherst family.
The MARQUIS settled $12,500 on his
wife, though his direct income was only
$4,000, and he also signed deed giying
/ S35h0 to ROBBINS. After Une HldTTldSt
| took place the marchiones5 and her
father agreed to advance or to procure
the advance to the marquis of $1350OO
with the marquis life interest in the
Townshend family estates as security,
and further agreed to release the mar
quis without charge if there was male
issue from the union within year.
Condemned by the Judge
Judge Bucknill severely condemned
what he termed the deception of the
Suthersts, especially as Mr.. Sutherst
was barrister. The case was notable
for flashes of wit and the humorous in
cidents, in which the marchioness, who
is very pretty woman, was proml-
nent.
In fact, the judge said if it were not
so serious the matter might be com
pared to a comic opera. He recalled the
fact that the marquis was once de-
tanned by order of the lunacy commits
sioners, and said that when he wanted
to remain away from his wife, as she
had testified, she locked him in room
and that now, when all he wanted to do
was to stay at home with his wife, 1t
was alleged he was a lunatic.
The marquis and marchioness were
most affectionate during the trial Her
testimony strogly favored his sound
ness of mind, but it was bitterly against
the influence of Robbins over him.