The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1910-10-27
A P|T|ABLE' SPECTACLE.
CROSS EXAMINATION OF CRlPPEN A
TRYING ORDEAL.
IN SHADOW OF THE GALLOWS

IN ShADUW Uf hit GAllUMS
Pitiable Figure OF DIR. Crippcn.
Confused, SeIt-Damaging, Cring-
ing Beneath Pitiless Rain Of
Questions.
London. Oct. 21.-The pitiful
figure of DR.. H. H. Crippen. con-
fused. self-damaging. and cringing
of questions while he slowly saw
his case tottering before him, fea-
tnred his sensational trial for the
murder of his actress-wife, Belle
Elmore Crippen. in old Bailey court
to-day
Under the merciless cross-exami-
nation of Prosecutor Richard Muir,
Crippen rapidly changed from the
self-complacent and dapper prison.
er into an object of abject pity.
Court attaches declared that he
had placed the moose about his own
neck and the spectacle presented
, was one of the most pitiable in the
ANIMALS of the famous old tribunal
OF justice
Crippen admitted that he knew
of no person who had seen or heard
from his wife since February first.
nor did he know anyone who had
seen her leave the residence at 80
Hilldrop Crescent, North London
alive. He admitted that his testi-
mony concerning her leaving him to
join another man in America was
mere assumption
1t was the most terrific cross ex-
animation within the memory of
barristers, who looked on.
At times Solicitor Alfred Tobin
tried to save his client from the
avalanche of questions which rain
ed upon him.
! Like the accusing personification
of justice, Prosecutor Muir stood
directly before the prisoner hurting
broadside after broadside at the di-
minutiye prisoner The questions
came like the swapping of whips
hurting and tumbling upon each
others heels until the amazement
OF those in the court room gave way
to sympathy for the accused man
DO you know of any person who
has seen Belle Elmore Crippen, or
heard from her since her disappear
ance?" was the first question shot
at the prisoner after he had mount
ed the witness chair for the cross
examination
The witness faltered and looked
startled.
Il do not" he replied.
How can you prove that your
wife left your home alive or that
she ever left at all?" snapped Pros
ecutor Muir.
/ Crippen paled as he realized the
damage to his case which these
questions entailed.
Answer my question:" thundered
Muir. shaking his finger at Grip
pen.
>ohhO', iSpliSu Tile QOCIOT.
How do you know that Mrs.
Crippen went to America to Join
Bruce Miller. as you stated on di-
rect examinatfcn?" came next.
Again Cripen hesitated and look
ed towards his counsel with appeal
in his eyes
Il only supposed so; she seemed
to be very friendly with him." said
the witness.
Crippen clutched the arms of
his chair. Perspiration stood out
upon his pale forehead. All his
assurance was gone.
The women craned their necks to
see the prisoner. and, as usual, wo-
men made up the bulk of the aud
ience Some of them had even
brought opera glasses with them.
the better to see the prisoner.
AS the cross-cyamination proceed
ed the solemn hush deepened.
Even Lord Chief Justice Alver-
stone leaned forward upon his
desk, listening with intentness to
the salvos of queries and halted re-
plies and gazing with solemn atten-
tion at the strange but dramatical
spectacle before him Beside him.
upon the mahogany table reposed
the dread black cap which all JUS
tices in England must don in pro-
nouncing death sentences.
The crisis seemed to come when
Muir walked up close before the
prisoner, as menacing as the aven-
, GO Of III