New-York tribune., 1909-12-23
INDICT ALL THREE
TWIN SNE4D CHARGE.
Sisters focused of Murder and
Aiding IN lSmcidc.

Although Mrs. Ooey W NJ. snead Was
decided ~ the Essex County Grand Jury
~ have committed suicide. indictments
were found yesterday against Nrs. Caro-
line r. Martin Mrs Mary Snead and Miss
Virginia O. Wardlsw. The jury, IN its re-
port 20 Judge Ten Fyck. IN tho Court -
over ana rerminer. held tho three women
~ two indictments. one charging murder
ana rho other aiding and abetung suicide.
IN connection with these charges several
counts give Prosecutor Mott permission 10
determine which one ~ the women should
no brought 20 trial. ~ whether all should
stand the ordeal.
The Indictment for aiding IN suicide
which followed that for murder. was based
on the testimony given by William J. hins-
iey. the handwriting expert, who was un-
shle 20 show forgery IN any one or the
score 81 letters which were signed by MIS-
Snesd The opinion that the dead woman
wrote the note found pinned 20 her clothes
compelled M Mott 10 present evidence
which he found on Saturday. when he held
a conference with q Southern lawyer. VINO
provided the New Jersey authorities Win
new facts IN the case
As the result of the action taken by the
rrsnd jury, extrsdition proceedings nave
slresdy been begun. snd n II eNpeo'"o
that the requisition papers asking Tor Mrs.
Martin and Mrs. Snead viii be presented
20 the magistrate An the Tonnbs police court
to-morrov Mrs Snes6 viii h advised 10
accompany the dstsctives 10 New Jersey
while her sister. Mrs. Martin, has eN-
pressed her determination 20 night sgains'
.xtrsdition fn every court which VIII grant
hsT q hearing
While the three women are treated alike
ir the indictments. Mr. Mott said yeslef-
ssy thar Mrs Martin would probably he
me FIRST 20 ~ tsksn before a trial jury
Frsnkin W Port counsel for Mrs. snesd
sno Miss wsrdlsw. was - the same opih-
ION and started for Tennessee before The
action % the Sury was DEFINITELY an
nounce6 n vas understood IN Newark
fhst Nv. Fort would enlist Al ms 81
so-r. IN defending the two sisters who have
sccepted him as their counsel
Nfrs Martin. the mother % the dead
-onsn has engaged p !. Hsire. New
York lawyer. 20 keep her from trial IN
New ler~ev She has prepared her own
s.fencs. and Is confident that the eNtradi-
.ior proceedings Win fail 10 place her IN
the jurisdiction % Mr.. Mott Haheas
CORPUS proceedings viii be brought to-nor-
row. and . further hght is expected next
week when the New Jersey authorities
nav sppesr before the Supreme court
here
IN announcing the plan for the prosecu-
zion OF the three women. Mr. Mott saio
Yesterday that he had enough evidence -
recure AZ least one conviction. He would
not ssy thar the three sisters would be
tried on the murder charge, but explained
thar charge u aiding suicide ~ fhe
state % New Jersey was as grave a. one
- murder. and that any one OF the women
might be tired under that indictment. The
ful fndings OF the grand Jury viii be read
in the Tornbs police court tomorrow
A number of Southerners have been asked
~ come 10 the aid Of Miss Wardlsw. who
Is m the Newark Jail Letters have been
sent broadcast by Mr.. Fort. Who has sp-
uealed to the friends Of Miss WardlaW 70
give testimonials Of her character. which
wiu b. read 10 The trial jury Among
fhose who have been asked 10 help the de-
feucs are Princeton alumni OF the class 81
= OF which Miss Wsrdlaw's brother was
o. member. With the letters Mr Fort is
making personal appeal for his clients.
The course of the defence did not please
Mrs Martin. who said yesterday that she
vouid TOT ask any outside aid. but would
insist on knowing why she had been in
dlcted Mrs. Martin Was closeted with her
vas given 10 her. She was not surprised ~
the murder charge. and 0id not care 10
make any statement about the suicide in
dicement She said. however. that she had
expected the action OF the grand jury and
had made her plans accordingly
Prosecutor Mott was not disturbed by
fha statements Of Mrs. Martin He said
fhs; Assistant District Attorney Rice would
b. iu the police court tomorrow and would
ask 10 have Mrs. Martin and Mrs Snesd
remsnded for thirty days while the extra
dition dSht was going on. Mr. Fort has
assured Mr. Mott that Mrs Snead viii be
resdy 10 so 10 New Jersey. Mr.. Moat an
nounced that he would practically Cisre-
Esrd the suicide notes in the case. and
tbat tic evidence win be based on the new
cleWs he has found. Mr.. Mott would not
speak of Mr.. Kinsley's testimony before tho
grand jury, hut said that his detectives
mac found evidences Of q conspiracy 10
force Mrs. Snesd 10 commit suicide.