AMERICAN POLICE METHODS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 823, 7 April 1910, Page 4

AMERICAN POLICE METHODS.

CONFESSION UNDER

TORTURE

Notwithstanding repeated demands, there seems little chance that the process known as the “ third degree ” will disappear in the early tuture from the methods of the American police. The advantages ot the English system, which treats an arrested person as innocent until proved guilty, are not ignored, but its advocates are clearly in a minority. It is probable that the controversy which has arisen lately will continue for a short period, and ultimately the “third degree,” which is not officially part of the police routine, but which is nevertheless winked at unofficially throughout the States, will be rehabilitated. There is a casein point cited by the police, as showing why the secret inquisitions of prisoners, pending their appearance in Court, should be encouraged. Miss Emilya Sara, a young Finlander, arrested in connection with the death of a Mrs Johansen, of New York, has just collapsed under the ordeal of the “third degree,” and given information which it is believed may terminate in the execution of Johansen, the woman's husband, for murder. Miss Sara underwent the “ third degree ” for eighteen hours, persistently maintaining that she was entirely ignorant of the circumstances of Mrs Johansen's death, or the whereabouts of the dead women's husband. Miss Sara was placed in a cell, and police in relays have been firing questions at her, with the object ot elucidating the crime, ever since.

It would appear that the woman was never allowed a moment’s peace. The “third degree’’ began at three o’clock on a Monday afternoon, and continued without a pause until midnight. Still she would admit nothing. At nine o'clock next morning the inquisition was resumed. No breakfast was served ; all that was given to Sara being a glass of water. “Then they took her to the morgue I quote from the account of the New York Times—“to look at the body of the murdered woman. Sara recoiled at the sight, admitted that she recognised the body, but that was all. Then they took her to the office of the Assistant Public Prosecutor, and for two hours she was plied with questions. She was beginning to feel the effects of the strain and lack of food. Towards three a.m. she broke down completely and wept. 1 Now

[ am ready to tell all,’ she confessed.”

And then, according to the police, she told ot Johansen having admitted to her that he had murdered his wife, and how she had kept house for Johansen, under the impression that Mrs Johansen had voluntarily left her husband and returned to Finland. It is not disputed that the police, by means of the “ third degree,’’ have received many confessions, but it is suggested that not a few prisoners, like mere children, who sometimes confess to crimes of which they are suspected, but which they have not committed, have declared their guilt, hoping to benefit by the promise of immunity from punishment.