The Washington herald., 1910-10-23

London. Oct 22-Nothing so strongly
grips the popular imagination as one of
those big murder stories which. from
time to time. having thus seized that
Imagination, pass forthwith into the ever
lengthening list Of historic crimes. Such
a murder was that for which an American
doctor. Hawley Harvey Crippen. was sen
fenced to death this afternoon by the
lord chief justice OF England. after a
trial occupying four days and a half
at the Old Bailey.
The jury was out but twenty-nine min
utes and Crippen showed no surprise
when he learned the verdict His coun-
sci may appeal. The date OF execution
viii probably be fixed at November Il or
10 The verdict was reached on the
second ballot.
Since Crippen's hight with Ethel Leneve
and the subsequent discovery OF the mu-
tilated remains OF his wife under the
cellar floor Of their house until the clos
ing day OF the trial the "HiI-drop-Cres-
cent murder" maintained the foremost
place In the public mind.
This was plainly shown on the opening
day Of the trial. when London seethed
with excitement. and when the approaches
to the Old Bailey were jammed with
dense masses Of people throughout the
day. through whom II was impossible 10
pass without feeling something OF that
electric thrill Of strong emotion a large
crowd seems always to communicate 10
It's surroundings.
Deep Emotion Lacking.
Although a British court OF justice
where a murder trial is proceeding is
always characterized by quiet. passion
less decorum. combined with steady.
buslness-llke dispatch, when one Of these
big murder cases Is being tried there IS
almost ALWAYS beneath tie surface tense
excitement and deep emotion. which only
come TO sight when the jury retire ard
again on their return 10 give their ver-
dict.
The latter element was lacking through
out. this trial, which. except for the final
few moments. was universally character
lied as dull" IN the prosafc, business
like procedure of q British court its sor-
didness and squalor have overwhelmed its
tragedy This was entirely due TO the
personality and demeanOr Of its central
figure, Crippen. His air OF complete in
difference. combined with an entire lack
Of any timidlty or strength, even That OF
criminal, his neat commonplace ap-
pearance, his shop-walkers' smile and
manner robbed him Of all popular SYM
pathy, almost even Of interest.
After the first day the people lost
interest in him entirely, caring only for
the unfolding Of the story, which has
inevitably led 10 this afternoons mex
orable finish, Though beneath this out
wardly commonplace personality there
Was. as the Judge said. a most extraord-
mary character. Seldom. perhaps never
has so apparently an uninterestirg a
figure been the center of the grim pomp
ard circumstances attending a big mur-
der trial at the Old Bailey.
Presents Dignified Figure.
Lord Alverstone, Lord Chief Justice of
England. is the most impressive and dig
nified figure on the British bench. Robed
IN ermine and scarlet and attended by
( the lord mayor and sheriffs, wearing
their official gowns and gold chains OF
office he is the personifcation OF Judi
cial strength. of which the black. gold
scabbarded sword over a chain is the
embed. Beneath him sat the black
gowned, white-wigged clerk. and in the
well Of the court, between him and the
sreat dock, where Crippen's dapper. in
significant figure was dwarfed by the
Z rTxr Of
and wigged counsel at large table, al
which the instructing solicitors. with
books and papers. were seated.
Three loud knocks behind the Judges
seq warned the court OF his entrance
preceded by a mace-bearer and accom-
panied by the officials already mentioned
The judge and the outstanding court ex-
changed bows, and forthwith the trial
began.
Three Jurors Rejected.
Twelve men file into the jury box and
are sworn one by one 10 see Justice he.
tween the Sovereign lord, our King" anf
the prisoner. Three jurors. and this /,
very exceptional are rejected by tho
prisoners counsel. II is done by an al.
most inaudible word. The mems persona
appearance was sufficient explanation OF
their rejection. Three others are brought
In, and within eight minutes 'of Tho
judges entrance the Jury is empanened
the prisoner is arraigned. and the clerk
reads the charge TO Crippen, who pleads
not guilty.
Mr.. Muir" says the judge. and the
leading counsel stands up and begins
his statement Of the Crowns case in
calm. passionless language. without 4
gesture, without the slightest attempt al
rhetoric. with no trace Of feeling against
the prisoner. frequently. even. pointing
out facts which may tell in the prisoner s
favor. In eighty minutes counsel gave 3
lucid masterpiece of narrative. through.
out which he confined himself 10 the ad.
mitted facts OF the long story of Grin.
pen. of his wife, and of his mistress. Nc
word from the defending counsel or Judge
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