Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-22
Speedy Justice for Crippen.

In every respect the trial OF Dr. Crlp-
pen in London was model which might
profitably be copied in this country 1t
opened on Tuesday, jury was optalneo
within a few minutes and with no more
than necessary preliminaries the taking
of testimony began on the same day.
The case was closed yesterday. on the
fourth trial day. and this morning. after
thirty minutes elaboration. the jury
returned a verdict of guilty. Such case
in this country would probably have last
ed at least two weeks. and. if the prfs-
oner had sufficient resources. might have
been prolonged for two months.
There is no suggestion that the
brevity of this trial initiated against the
rendering of absolute justice 1t was a
case of almost exclusively circumstantial
evidence. which some criminologists as
sert to he the most trustworthy of all
proof. 4 woman disappears from her
usual associations. another woman is in
stalled in her home in her stead and in
quiries as to the wife's whereabouts are
answered vaguely by the husband with
reference to foreign journey Letters
are sent to the missing womans rela-
tives in this country telling the same
tale-and a most unbelievable tale at
tndI-OI al S&pcQitlOIi dtiOSS titO OSSAh,
through the very city where the relatives
live and to the other side of the con-
tinent to claim a legacy. Suspicion leads
10 an official inquiry and the inquiry
causes the flight of the husband and his
woman companion. Flight Is accepted
as a confession Of guilt. especially as an
examination OF the premises reveals
under the cellar floor a fragment of flesh
3C ~ ".
perts pronounced to be the portion of
human body. containing traces of most
deadly poison.
Crippen's defense was probably the best
he could make, but IL was weak at every
stage. 1t was no more than general
denial of guilt, together with what might
in different circumstances have appeared
TO be a plausible explanation of the exist
ing facts and of his personal movements.
Had it not been for the unmistakable
pointing of all the circumstances first to
a crime and second to him as the GRIM
inal, with motive. opportunity and flight
all contributing to the conviction that
he had slain his wife, his explanation on
the stand might have been accepted. But
it was. unfortunately for him. at no point
fundamentally inconsistent with the
theory of guilt 1t offered no proof of
innocence, ii broke down no single factor
Of the accusation. Even had Crippen
been able by expert evidence to cast seri
GUS doubt upon the identity Of the flesh
fragments as human remains. the case
would have been strong against him. APP
parently the jury had no difficulty what
ever In setting aside his denials and
accepting the theory of the prosecution
so amply sustained by the circumstances.
The American public should note care
fully the fact that the British court per-
mitted no belonging Of the jury's mind
with expert testimony. 1t held to the
doctrine that the truth is ascertainable
without invoking high-priced professional
witnesses. biased for or against the de-
PENDANT according TO the side employing
them. The issue before that court was
NO simpler than that which Is offered In
many American courts in similar cases.
and the ease with which 1t was resolved
and laid before the jury for final judg-
ment should inspire American tribunals
TO undertake reforms which will clear the
criminal calendars In this country, and
put an end to the scandal and the danger
OF the laws delay.