Evening star., 1923-12-08
GR|FF|S SENTENCED
IN BERGDOLL CASE
Faces 18-Month Term, But
May Win Probation-NeIson
Convicted, But Freed.
" tire A ssncfated Press.

Ry tire Associated Press.
MOSBACH. Baden, December s.
Corliss Hooven GrifIis of Hamilton,
Ohio, who yesterday was found guilty
of conspiring to kidnap Grover
Cleveland Bergdoll, has received tele-
grams from Hamilton, Cincinnati,
Philadelphia and other American cities
congratulating him upon his patriotic
stand and wishing him 1.-The best of
luck"
Grifis faces eighteen months i'm
prisonment without any outside priVileges
unless his American friends are aple
10 induce the German officials to
grant him probate after rev
weeks. The court yesterday sentenced
Ciriffis to year and nine months, but
three months time was later deducted
IN view of the fact that he had been
in jail since last August
Eugene Victor Nelson of Chicago.
another defendant in the kidnapping
case. received a three-month SEN
<euce. but the court took into con-
sidcration the fact that he also had
been in Jail since August and be-
cause of this he was Immediately set
free.
Fined 2.0Oo.OOO.O0O.OO0 Marks.
Griffis and Nelson were each sem
fenced to pay a fine of two trillion
paper marks for having brought an
automobile into Germany unlawfully.
According to the German officials. If
the court had delayed until today
the sentencing of the defendants the
fines would have been ten thousand
gold marks each under new regula-
tionS, effective this morning.
Maxwell X. Moore head, American
consul at Stuttgart. announced that
he had received several anonymous
contributions of money in the last
few days. 5000 of which had been
given to Lena Rupp. the Eberbach
girl, who was shot in tho hand in
1920, in the course OF the attempt
of American Army men to arrest
Bergdoll in ~Baden. F'raulein Rupp
had been promised reimbursement for
her doctor bills by the army of oc-
"upatinn authorities at Coblenz, but
nothing was ever paid.
Hints at Probation.
BY order of the court the automo-
bile in which Grifis came to Eber
bach, has been turned over to air.
NuurcheId. together with the Army
revolver which Griffis had in his
suit ease at the time. as the court
considered these to be the property
of the American government.
Judge NurZmann declared il was
quite clear that BergdoiI was q draft
should serve the term imposed upon
him. but, nevertheless, under the
circuml tances, since Bergdoll had
sought refuge in Germany, he must
be given certain protection.
In sentencing Griffis. who was
found guilty on all the charges
against him the court intimated that
any proposals for probation made by
counsel for Griftis and Sperber would
be given proper consideration. The
judge added that due thought was
given to the plea of Gritfis that he
attempted Bergdolrs capture be-
cause he was moved to do SO by
patriotism. but that from the evi-
deuce it appeared GritIis undertook
the adventure more with hope OF
monetary gain through 4 film COM
pany which was interested in the
affair and had given some financial
backing.
Consul Moorehead expressed hope
that probation might be arranged for
Grilfis within the next few weeks.
As the court turned over the auto
mobile to Mr.. Moorehead. he is MAX
ing arrangements TO have Nelson
drive it to Paris.