The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-12-21
TRUE-=UT
by Vance @ public Ledge
The Flaw in a Perfect Case
NHEN William Harrison, of Glou-
Wv cestershire. England. disappeared

- CcSlSISnlTes LHSldAur ulSdppSdACu
and no knowledge could be obtained
of his whereabouts, everybody in that
part of the country came to the con-
clusion that he had met with foul
play.
He had gone away on rent-collect-
ing tour, and it was known that he
was sure to have a large sum of
money in his possession.
A month went by and still there was
no trace of the missing man.
The sole topic of discussion in those
parts revOlved around the query:
What has become of William Har-
rison?
1t was during one Of these discus
sions that John Perry came to the
front and amazed the authorities with
a remarkable story.
He said that his brother, Richard
Perry, had murdered Harrison for his
money, and that the result of the
crime was his enrichment to the ex-
tent Of f130.
John and Richard Perry lived with
their mother in a little house on the
outskirts Of the village.
John was not mentally strong; In
deed, there were some who regarded
him as half-witted.
Richard was physically and men,
tally strong, but his reputation for In
tegrity was not good.
He had been caught In some Ques-
tionable transactions, and it was hint
ed that he would not hesitate at MUIR
der for the sake of money.
The magistrate Of the district sent
for John Perry, and the fellow re-
peated his story.
He was examined at length, but
stuck to his original statement. The
only addition he made to it was that
he and his mother were present when
Richard had assaulted and robbed
Richard Harrison.
He was unable to say what had be-
come of the body because he had run
away while the robbery was in prog
cess.
The two men and the woman were
placed on trial and were inadequately
defended.
They were given the impression that
II they pleaded guilty to robbery their
dives would be spared.
But at the next term of court, Sir
Robert Tyde placed them Oh trial for
murder.
They were at terrible disadvantage
because by confessing to robbery they
mad admitted that they were potential
murderers.
In addition to this there was a mass
of circumstantial evidence against
John.
There was only one flaw in what
might be regarded as an otherwise
perfect case, and that was the failure
of the authorities to find the body.
Sir Charles Turner, who presided at
the first trial, had refused to accept
the indictment for murder because Of
this very flaw, and it was that which
had caused change IL the indictment
to robbery.
But the second judge was not so
jealous of the old English law.
He took the ground that Harrison's
nonappearance after six months was
proof positive that he had been killed.
So the family was convicted and
executed
Soon after the execution one Of the
residents Of Worcestershire received
an anonymous letter limiting that Will
liam Harrison was still alive.
Then came another story that he
was in Turkey. All of these rumors
were treated as mere gossip until three
years later when the door of the local
Inn was opeEed and William Harrison
entered the room.
He said that after he had collected
the rents, as usual, he was beset by
q gang Of thieves, and the cash taken
from him.
But the toughs did not stop at mere
robbery.
They took him TO a wayside inn and
invited him to take drink upon the
success of their enterprise
He took 1t and in a little while be-
came unconscious.
They had given him drugged liquor.
After this gang had carried him
aboard a vessel
WheL he recovered consciousness he
found that he was on his way TO Tur-
key.
He had lived there for two years.
When he was asked why he had
not communicated with his friends, he
said that he feared that they would
not believe his story, and as he was
unable to make good the money that
had been stolen from him he had de-
layed his return as long as possible.
Since that day-over two centuries
ago-no man has been tried for muir
der in England without first proving
the murder.