The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-06
UNWRITTEN LAW IN BELGIUM
PASSION ATE SCENE ar CLOSE or
BOY MURDERERS TRIAL.
Verdict or AcduIttal for Young Washington,
Who KILLED Diplomat for Bctraytng
His sister women Pray for Accused
and Embrace Him az He Leaves Court.

and Embrace Him ae He Leaves Court.
Special caols Despatch to THE SUN.
BRUSSELS, July 5.-.Carlos Waddington.
who has been on trial here since June "a
on the charge Of numbering Senior Balmaoeds
on Feb. "a Of last year. was acquitted to-day.
the defence in his case being the "unwritten
law"
The jury delivered its verdict after a
elaboration that lasted twenty minutes.
1t wa received with cheers.
IL is doubted whether n trial in any court
ever produced a stronger display Of emotion.
The crowds that thronged the court were
daily strengthened in the championship Of
the accused by the unrolling Of the evil
denoe of his victims ~depravity. Men and
women alike took a passionate interest in
the tragic story. which they listened to with
tears. and they prayed earnestly for the
prisoners acquittal.
His offence in their eyes was not only no
crime nor merely just retribution but an
act of positive virtue. Their Joy az the YER
dict was commensurate with those feelings.
About two Thousand persons packed the
court to-day to awai the result. Fully 10
manys were wedged in the corridors and
lobbies. hoping for a anoe Of admission.
The concluding speeches Of counsel were
heard with tense interest. The prosecuting
advocates declared that the defence had
woven a romanoe around the story. They
warned the jury that their emotions were
being appealed to against their oaths TO do
justice. One pleader said that IL such muir
ders were pardoned social anarchy would
result. The Public Prosecutor urged that
nobody in Belgium was justified in taking
the law into his own hands, but he admitted
that the circumstances Of the present case
might justify mitigation Of punishment.
Five years penal servitude was the sentence
demanded.
The prisoners counsel wound up with
earnest, dramatic appeals, their voices
trembling with emotion. There was no
summing up. The president Of the court
presented the issues 10 the jury, which re-
tired.
During the jury's brief absence women
murmured prayers for h prisoner, and
mems faces were grave and anxious. The
jury's return was marked by the deepest
silence. When the foreman answered the
presidents question whether the prisoner
was guilty of intentional homicide with an
unhesitating NO. a shout of emotional
triumph went up In court, mingled with
the sobs of women.
The Efforts Of the officials TO obtain silence
were useless, and cheer after cheer greeted
Waddington as he left the dock. Friends
struggled him out Of court by a side door
to avoid further demonstrations, but many
women intercepted him and embraced and
kissed him.
The Court awarded the Balmaceda family
one franc damages on the ground that the
killing OF the victim was an illegal act. II
is stated that the Waddingtons will ave
Brussels for England. where the father
and son have obtained employment.
Balmeceda, who was secretary Of the
Chilean Legation at Brussels. was engaged
to be married to Miss Washington. the sister
Of Carlos. who was also connected with the
Legation and is the son Of Luis Waddington,
a prominent citizen OF Brussels. At the time
of the killing he was only 10 years old.
The tragedy occurred on the evening
when the formal engagement dinner was
to be given.
A few days before Falmaceia requested
the Waddingtons to postpone the wedding
ceremony, and o n the morning of Feb. "a
he called on Mrs. Wsddington end an
nounced his decision to withdraw from the
marriage altogether. It is said that he
admitted having behaved improperly
toward Miss Wsddington, but he accused
her of having been guilty of misconduct
before he met her.
Later, when young Carlos found his
mother Frustrated In consequence Of what
Balmaceda had said. he drove to the latter's
residence, and after a quarrel shot and
killed him. Previous to Balmeceda's visit
to Mrs. Washington the two young men
had been close friends.
The Balmaoeda side Of the case was that
the Waddingtons had tried to foroe the
marriage Upon him and that on his refusal
they had killed him.