The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-05
LOSE FAITH IN POLICE
EngIiShmen Oppose Methods
of Scotland Yard.
METHODS LACK FAIR PLAY
Believe Detectives Tried to Cover In
efficiency in Murder of Emily Dim
mock by Fixing Crime on Robert
WoOd-ffiA Goodness Won Admira-
tion and His AcquittaI Appreciation.

London, Jan. 4.-Engllshmen are losing
faith in the widely advertised fair play
| Of British police and criminal court meth
/ DDS. The chorus OF approval which greet
/ ed Robert Woods recent acquittal OF
numbering Emily Dimmock was highly
significant Of the skeptcism with which
police testimony is regarded
The country suspected Scotland Yard Of
| trying to save itself from the discredit Of
an unsolved murder mystery by fixing
the crime on Wood. Every one was de-
lighted 10 see the attempt fail.
Il heard the whole trial." wrote one
/ reporter for a London daily, and 1 be-
lieve II was fair trial-fair that is.
within the usual limits Of British justice.
AT the Old Bailey every prisoner can
get justice provided he can pay for fl.
If he cannot pay for a defense, obviously
he must not expect an acquittal with the
police against him.
1T was an interesting revelation Of how
We have come 10 regard man guilty IN
less, at enormous expense, he can prove
himself innocent"
Probably Woods magnificent nerve had
something 10 DO. too. with creating SYM
PATTY for him.
While the prosecutor was pressing
home point after point against him.
says the spectator Just quoted, he sat
easily in his chair bis right hand. with
an artists pencil between the fingers,
resting against his cheek. His legs were
comfortably crossed, his left hand sup
porting his right elbow.
In this position he stayed hour after
hour, with almost incredible composure.
Coolest Man In Court.
He is the coolest man in court was
the general comment. But the mans
self-controI was not coolness. but nerve.
II was evident, on close scrutiny, that
he felt his terrible position.
1T was when he was brought into
court to hear the verdict that he gave
mis- most marvellous exhibition Of courage
in the face Of mortal danger and dis
grace.
He preceded the jury into the court
room by nearly ten minutes. Spectators
counsel. even the judge. were almost IN
comfortably nervous Wood calmly pulled
out his sketchbook and began TO picture
the scene before him.
a police sergeant whispered 10 him
and he stopped sketching strolled about
the roomy dock with his hands In his
pockets. ehatted with the jaiiers. nodded
TO his father in the back OF the room,
smiled. and wrote his autograph on
card for a friend.
THE jury entered. and the foreman
announced the verdlct-'NOt guilty.
Woods face never changed. As soon as
his counsel could make himself heard
above the roar Of applause he asked the
prisoners discharge.
Yes was ali the judge said. Wood
swung alertly on his heel and left the
dock erect. brisk. and as calm as man
quitting home for a mere morning stroll
GaIIOws Didn't Work.
Another remarkable murder case is re-
called by the release Of John lee, "the
man they couldn't hang" from Portland
prison, where he served nearly twenty
two years for killing Miss Emma Keyes.
an aged woman, for whom he was work
ing as man servant in 1855.
one night the Keyes house was found
in flames. Firemen stumbled over the
woman's body in her room. She had
been beaten to death. Lee was arrested.
The evidence against him was circum-
stantial. but very strong He was con-
demned to die
In March. 1850, he was taken TO the
seahold The moose was adjusted. the
Rev. John Pitkin rea1 prayers, and Ex-
ecutioner Berry pulled the lever. The
trap failed TO move. Berry and his as
sistants stamped on IL and worked the
lever furiOusly. Still il stuck.
Lee was hurried from the sCaffOld while
warders chopped at the woodwork and
Berry made another trial of the meChan-
ism. II worked perfectly.
Again the moose was adjusted and
again the clergyman read the service.
Berry sprung the bolt and again the trap
stuck Lee was hurried 10 the base
ment, where q physician attended him
A carpenter planed down the trap. II
was tested and fell az a touch. For the
third time Lee was recalled 10 the scat
fold
Sentence Was COMMITTED.
THE lever was pulled again and again"
says the account given by Pitkin. a
great noise was heard, which sounded
like the falling Of the drop. But to my
horror I saw the poor convict standing
upon the drop as I had seen him twice
before
This was too much for the governor.
he ordered Lee back to his cell and
made a personal visit 10 Sir William
Harcourt the home secretary. The lat
ter, greatly impressed, at once committed
Lees sentence to life Imprisonment,
A full pardon has now been granted.
and the man they couldn't hang" is at
mis- mothers home IN Devonshire.