Evening star., 1927-05-10
A Righteous Verdict.

IN point OF nOln nfOnutneSS OF ue
ciSion and character of verdict, the
outcome of the murdeh trial that has
heen lately in progress at Long Island
City is reassuring TO the public. Start
ing slowly, with the process of secur-
ing a jury covering five days, and
dragging through protracted examina.
tions and cross-eXaminations of the
two persons accused of homicide the
end came swiftly. The jury deliherat-
ed only an hour and few minutes,
and rendered verdict in accord with
the expectations Of all who had fol,
lowed the ease. Both principals We're
adjudged guilty of murder in the first
degree. and unless appeals are eff
feCtive or executive clemency is
granted. they will be put to death for
one of the most brutal crimes ever
committed in this country.
Every capital crime has its peculiar
distinguishing features. No two hom-
icides are precisely alike in motive
=
Never before. however. has a murder
been committed In this land of the
nature of that which has just been
brought home TO the perpetrators.
Two people. engaged in an Illicit l.ai-
son. plotted to kill the wonans hus-
band. They devised a scheme of 'slay.
ing which they believed would con-
Ceal their participation. Their pre-
tense was pitiably' futile and the
crime was brought directly and swift
ly to them. They weakened quickly
and confessed, and when arraigned
they sought to throw the burden of
blame upon one another Each tried
to win the sympathy of court and
jury by ascribing the inception and
the major execution of the plot to the
other.
In such a case the sentiment, if any
is felt, is likely to favor the woman.
1t is unusual that the man, supposed
ly the stronger vessel" wins any
degree of commiseration. Yet in this
trial the woman failed to elicit any
consideration. She repudiated her
confession and told a story that rhal-
lenged credulity and, taken at its full
est value, left her in the role Of at
least an active accomplice. 1t is
therefore not surprising, in view of
the testimony, that when the jury re-
tired it's first ballot, taken at once,
showed all twelve votes for first de.
gree guilt on her part. The only
question remaining related to the
man, and he, too. was swiftly con-
demned.
Snyder was killed early in the
morning of March 90. His slayers
were convicted just fifty days later
They We're doomed from the moment
they welded the savage blows that
took his life. A more pitiable case of
crimina, folly was never known. Pas
sion, greed and utter selfishness,
weakness of character and strength
of character combining in an evil
compound of bestiality, led to this sad
wrecking of lives, the desolation of
homes, the enactment of a tragedy
the consequences of which will not be
ended even when the judgment OF the
law is executed and these miserable
people are put to death for their un-
pardonable crime.
There are many lessons in this case.
Will they be fully learned? 1t is
doubtful. Human passions will con-
tinue to carry men and women be-
yond the bounds OF right living, into
the realm OF crime. But there may
be some who will take warning from
the swift and sure justice meted out
in this case and measure their con-
duct. 1t is at all events encouraging
that the ineXorable process of the law
has SO speedily and unerringly
worked TO assure punishment.