The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-21
Jury Asks to See Skin Bearing
the Alleged Scar.
IN DIRECT TESTIMONY.
He Told of Gradual Alienation
OF Wife's Affections.
Swears She Went Away Jan. 81
Following a Quarrel.


Richard Muir one of the cleverest
criminal lawyers in England.
The fact that the defendant was to
undergo a cross-examination increased
interest in the proceedings and when |
Lord Chief Justice Alverstone always
punctual to the minute, entered the
New Bailey court room and the prls-
cner at the same time took his place
in the dock, the spectators were already |
in their seats awaiting the opening OF
the contest between the lawyer and the |
doctor. Before Crippen re-entered the
witness box from which he gave his
direct testimony yesterday the lord
chief Justice announced that at it's own
request the jury would be allowed later
in the day to examine miscroscop1cal-I
~ the skin from the part found in the
Hilldrop Crescent cellar which bears, 1t
is alleged by the prosecution. a scar
such as Belle Elmore received from
surgeons knife u years ago. The de-
tense claims there is no scar but that
what appears to be such was caused by
a fold in the skin.
In giving his direct testimony Grip
pen leaned against the rail of the box
in a characteristic easy attitude ana
gave his story in steady clear ana
calm voice. He told of the gradual
alienation of his wife's affections until
the climax was reached in quarrel
on the night of January 81 last. His
wife he said, had accused him OF lack
of attention to Mr.. and Mrs. Martinez
ii, who had spent the evening with
them. They quarreled and on the fol-
lowing day his wife went away. He
bore out his counsel's statement of an
alleged plot which he had formed to
escape from the steamer Montrose.
He said the QuartermaSter had told
him the captain had recognized him
and Miss Leneve and he was to be ar
rested when the steamer landed The
ouartermaster offered to make a splash
in the water during the night when
Crippen was to pretend to commit sui
eide The quartermaster had told him
there was no charge against MISS
Leneve, and he planned to separate
from her for a time and join her later.
Cross Examination.
Although the steamer Montrose is at
sea, the quartermaster who Crlppen
testified Yesterday entered into a con-
spfracy to hide him during the flight
to Canada, is now in London and Muir
had a long talk with him last night.
When Crippen was escorted to the WI
ness box today he assumed the same
characteristic attitude he did when
facing his own counsel He rested his
elbows on the railing. clasped his hands
and looked inquiringly about the court
room.
Mr. Muir, losing no time in preIimi-
naries. asked Crippen whether he had
since early on the morning of February
/ The witness replied in the negative
and in answer to further questions
that were rapidly fired at him said he
could not prove any fact showing she
left the house alive.
He supposed she had gone to Bruce
Miller. her professional acquaintance,
who lives in Chicago. That was the
only guess he could make. He made no
inquiries. The witness said he last sa "
1t. AFa 0nIy ~ F,sN
morning of February 1, when they re-
tired as usual.
That mornino he prepared his own
breakfast. Returning home in the
evening ne found Mrs. Crippen had dis
appeared, as she had threatened to do.
He made no inquiries regarding the
passengers listed on vessels sailing for
America nor had he since suggested
that inquiries regarding the where
abouts of his wife should be made.
Mr.. Muir suggested if the witness
wife were alive she would call on her
sister in the United States. Crippen's
reply to this was that if his wife had
gone with another man she would not
have the face" to go to her sisters.
This opinion from the witness box
drew forth chorus of "Oh's'' from the
spectators. The doctor could not say
whether his wife took any of her furs
with her or if she had any quantity OF
furs and dresses.
About the JeweIry.
Regarding the disposition of Belle
Elmore's jewelry the witness said he
considered he was quite entitled to tell
Inspector Dew he had not pawned his
Wife's valuableS, as these had been
purchased with his money and he con
siGered them his. He had used the
proceeds of the sales to pay for adver-
tising. He did not know what cash his
wife had at the time she left him.
I asked her" said the witness, ''ff
she wanted any money She replied
No. I want nothing"
Counsel took uD the subject of the
letters and statements to Belle Ell
more's friends. which the husband has
made regarding her death. Crippen
admitted that all were lies and snil-
ingly assented to the suggestion that
he had to play the role of a bereaved
husband. He thought he played the
part pretty well.
The witness suggested it was posi-
BILE that the human parts found in the
cellar of his home had been placed
there during a periodical absence of
himself and wife.
It developed in the cross examina-
ton that no time was lost in esta b.
fishing Ethel Clara Leneve, the doe
tors typist. in the Hildrop Crescent
home. Crippen admitted that Miss
Leneve had slept in the house on the
night of February >. within "a hours
after his wife had disappeared.
Witness said he resolved to &c away
on July 9, after realizing that suspi-
cion had been directed against him
He feared he might be arrested and
imprisoned until his wife was found.
He wished also to spare Miss LeneVe.
whom he persuaded to disguise herself
and quit London by explaining that
the statement which Re had made to
Inspector Dew involved her as well
as himself. He told the girl there
would be a scandal, and if his wife
was not located there would be trou-
BILE The only way of escape was for
both to start a new home together
abroad
Crippen was under cross examina-
ton for fonr hours.
When the defendant was excused
from the box. DR.. TurnbulI, director