Norwich bulletin., 1922-03-23
FAMOUS TRIALS
LORD NENILL

LOHD NENILE
England has the habit of dealing out
justice to the big as well as to the
smaller figures among her criminals,
and no mercy is shown even among the
titled people if their guilt is proved be-
yound question. On Feb. Is, 1893,
Judge Lawrence, of the Central Grim
inal court, sent Lord Nevill, the son
of an nslisn marquis, into .Jsna. 81.
itude for five years because Of gross
fraud.
Aprd William NevilI was the fourth
son of the Marquis of Abergavenny and
he was placed on trial charged with gross
fraud in connection with the famous suit
of Sam" Lewis. the meney-lender against
Lieut., Spencer Clay NeyiH had deluded
Lieut.. Clay into indersins prolnissory
notes for large sum on the pretext that
he was signing other documents. lie
pretended to want Clay's signature on
documents that related to a sisters un=
savory divorce suit. He covered the
face of the documents, except where the
signatures were desired, and Clay signed
in good faith. These documents after
ward proved to be the pFomissory notes
given by Money=lender Lewis.
When the case of Lord Nevill was
called, on Feb, Is, there was an unusual
assenHblage of ladies present, including
Lady Nevill In their smsrtest frocks
they overlooked the jury box and barrist-
ers seats. Outside their gorgeous broug-
hams blocked the approaches.
Lord NevilI was unusually nervous
when the case was called and when he
was asked to plead he said he was gull
ty of fraud. but not of forgery. Then
| Prosecutor Matthews narrated the cir
, curnstances of the fraud and at the con-
ctusion of his remarks intimated that he
would accept the prisoners plea as salts
flying the requirements of justice.
The counsel of the prisoner, in his de-
tense, pointed out that at the time of the
| incident for which he was held accused
| Nevill was in great financial d1ftlcultles,
and that in securing the signatures he
| had not realized that he was conTnittin9
| breach of the criminal law He did not
believe that Clay would suffer any tlnan
| cial loss, but instead that the securities
would remain in tho hands Of Lewis unr
til he secured money elsewhere. So much
a favorite was the nobleman with the
ladies' present that many a gloved hand
applauded the counseps speech.
| The trial only lasted throughout one
day. Late in the afternoon Judge Law
renee summed up sternly, but with voice
which shook with emotion. Among othel
things he said: In my opinion the crime
is as great as if Lord Nevill had abstract
ed the sum from Lieut.. Clays pocket
or had burglarized Mr. Lewis office and
had stolen 1t. If 1t had been SONS
| wretehed clerk with a wife and seven chill
dren who had incurred a heavy loss ant
had helped himself at his masters till
II am afraid there would have been M
one to speak in extenuation but the nighe1
the position a person holds the higher il
/ his responsibility"
Such an only too rare Interpretation
Justice it would arl9ear, would have beal
the place to call out righteous ap
plause, but when the sentence was impo5
ed there was a chorus of sobs from tn
ladies present.
The Judge, in cor(,luI;ions said:
am sorry to say that L have looked in val
for extenuating circumstances. 1t Is a
had q. case of fraud as it is possible t
conceive Lord Nevill has brought sham
and dishoner upon an ancient ana nonl
family and SORROW and suffering upon III
nearest and dearest. You have forfeite
the position" he said, you held in tn
world. and which should have been
guarantee of your honesty, at least If nj
| of your honor"
] The Judge then pronounced sentene
, IT was a pitiable sight to see this prol
; neblernan disgraced and exiled foT nv
{ long years. At Newgate he was Above
to have a lengthy intervieV with his vii
: and ar,ather lady and after his genti'
5 mans fashionable clothes were exchant
= ed for the prison garb he was convey
To HNormwood Scrubbs Prison to serve h
Il sentence