Evening star., 1927-10-25
Making a Spectacle of Justice.

Making Spectacle of Justice.
A few months ago a man and a
woman were tried near New York
City for the murder of the womans
husband. crime of unusual atrocity
and involving especially sensational
and Salacious features. The case
attracted widespread attention. The
trial itself was featured by remark
able demonstrations of feeling on the
ants were convicted and sentenced
10 death. An appeal is now being
heard in behalf of them, seeking
separate trials for the two. Yester-
day their counsel appeared before the
Court of Appeals at Albany with a
specific plea that their constitutional
rights had been violated by being
compelled to stand trial together.
This is law point upon which the
appellate court will be called to rule.
But incidentally to the petition cer-
tain circumstances of the trial are
set forth that may complicate the
issue and that certainly arrest pub
lie attention, even though they do
not bear upon the legal questions
involved. Counsel for these defend
ants liken the trial to a circus,
spectacle staged for public diversion
They say:
Tremendous crowds swarmed in
and about the courthouse, eager for
the latest news in a ScandalouS
F.. drama being enacted upon the wit
ness stand. They invaded every
available spot. stormed into the
courtroom, were charged by the
police, receded and then surged for
ward again. Pandemonium was evil
dent all about during most of the
trial, especially when the principal
actors were upon the stand testify
ing. Would that we could paint a
word picture that might enable the
members of this court to visualize
the courtroom-the crushing mass of
humanity, milling about every nook
and corner of the spacious courtroom,
hilarious, laughing. pounding, jump
ing and bobbing up and down, kissing
or breaking into spontaneous out
2 bursts in answer to the surging of
their emotions and passions, as some
bit of salacious testimony came
across the room, through the radio
amplifiers, installed in the courtroom.
. Imagine duly constituted jury hear
ing a capital case, sitting in an
amphitheater which has become the
mecca for all sorts and combinations
of men and women craving for sor-
did details and in their quest exhibit
ing no more ordinary decency than
we heai is shown by boarded masses
at spectacular affairs such as at
prize fight or a circus. American
Jurisprudence never before descended
! to such levels as in this Snyder Gray
trial.
1t does not affect the merits Of the
case in hand to agree that this de-
scription of the trial is true and that
this characterization Is just. The
verdict that was rendered was prob
ably not Influenced by the conditions
in which the testimony was given,
the emotions that were displayed by
the spectators, the unseemly accom-
paniments of publicity that attended
! the proceedings. Nevertheless. the
: spectacle was a disgraceful one. 1t
presented American justice at it's
lowest point.
Whatever may be the decision OF
the appellate court, it is certainly
to be hoped that never again will
such a scene be enacted upon the
judicial boards in this country. It
is impossible. Of course. to control or
check the emotional reaction Of the
public when an abominable crime has
been committed. But 1t is possible
to conduct the solemn proceedings
Of justice decently, in an atmosphere
Of truth seeking and truth telling
) with due respect for the rights Of
the defendants and the dignity of the
law.