Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-10-19
Murder Case Begun at
the New Bailey, London.
Two Americans in List Of Wit
nesses in Case.
Crowds Attempt to Get Into ceurt
10 See Prisoners.

London, Oct. 1S-Dr. Hawley Har-
vey Crippen. the American medical
practitioner and agent who rose from
comparative obscurity to a position of
international notoriety in consequence
of the mysterious disappearance Of his
wife, today was put on trial for his
life, charged with the deliberate MUIR
der of Cora Belle Crippen, the Ameri-
as Belle Gilmore.
The jury, a typical body of middle
class tradesmen and clerks, was Sc
cured with out little trouble, objection
having been made in but three in
stances. Crippen pleaded not guilty
and then listened intently and with
an anxious expression on his face as
Richard d. Muir made the opening
statement for the prosecution.
The trial, which is being held in
the New Bailey, promises to be one
Of the most historic in the annals OF
that famous court.
Lord Chief Justice Alverstone is
presiding and he was accompanied in
to court today by Sir John Knoll. Lord
Mayor of London: Sir Thomas Vesey
Strong. Lord Mayor elect. and the
sheriffs in their robes of Office
The counsel is distinguished. Rich
ard d. Muir, *. c.. conducts the prose-
cution, with the assistance OF solicitor
Travers Humphreys. who represented
the crown at the preliminary hearings.
Crippen is represented by Alfred
Aspinall Tobin. X. c., Unionist mem
Der of Parliament, and Huntley Eugene
Jenkins.
Crippen is charged as the principal
in the murder of his wife, and Ethel
Clara lie Neve, the doctors typist, has
been indicted as an accessory after
the fact. Miss lie Neve was not in
court today. Her trial will follow in
the event of Crippen's conviction.
The spectators included many per-
sons prominent in society and on the
stage, !: large portion being fashion
ably attired women. The courtroom
accommodates only $50 persons and ad-
mission was limited to ticket hold
ers. Several thousand men and wom-
en- had applied for these tickets, but
in most instances those who were sue
.cessful in securing seats exercised
political or social influence.
The space reserved for the barristers
judges We're seated on the bench Out
side a great throng waited to wit
ness the arrivals of the principals in
the proceedings. When the prison
van bringing Crippen and several
other prisoners drove up, 1t was quick
ly surrounded by curious ones, but
there was no demonstration.
The American witness, Bruce Miller
&c l.. ,,,;c
ogniZed when they appeared in a cab.
Mr.. Miller was formerly an actor and
knew Belle Gilmore in professional
way. When Crippen was attempting
to explain the disappearance of his
wife to Inspector Dew of Scotland
Yard, he said that he thought she
had gone to join Mr.. Miller in the
United States. Mr.. Miller subsequent
" declared that his acquaintance with
Belle Gilmore was only such as oc-
cur in the routine of theatrical en-
gagements. -. ert
Crippen pleaded not guilty. Counsel
Muir made the opening statement for
the crown. He recited the familiar
story Of the tragedy so far as known.
Counsel said that he would refute
the story told to the effect that Mrs,
Cripren had gone to join Bruce Mil
Ter. by the testimony of ME- and Mrs.
Miller that they had not seen Belle
Gilmore since 1904.
He dwelt upon what he described
as the doctors campaign Of lies, in
an effort to stifie the suspicious of
Belle Elmore's friends. 4 ~
Mr.. Muir concluded a speech of two
hours by stating that up to the pres
ent moment Crippen had given no ex-
PLANTATION of his flight to America.
The taking of testimony was then
begun. The most interesting of this
introduced before the luncheon inter-
Continued on Page Tenn