THE CRIPPEN TRIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 909, 25 October 1910, Page 3

THE CRIPPEN TRIAL.

ACCUSED FOUND GUILTY

London, October 21

The trial of Hawley Crippen and Ethel Le Neve, the former charged with having murdered his wife at Camden Road and the latter with being an accessory after the fact, was continued to-day before the Lord Chief Justice.

Crippen, who elected to give evidence on his own behalf, again occupied the witness stand. He said that during the final quarrel with his wife he offered her money to go away. He admitted that he had not inquired of cabmen and others regarding his wife’s flight, and had not considered the effect the announcement ot death would cause his wife’s friends. Under pressure he admitted that portion of a pyjama suit found with the remains might possibly be part of a suit his wife had bought. Counsel remarked that the cloth of which the suit was made was not manufactured till November, 1908.

Crippen shook his head, as though unconvinced. As far as he was aware, he said, the cellar was undisturbed during his tenancy. There were times when both he and his wife were absent, when the remains might have been placed in the cellar. The reason he decided to leave was through fear that he might be arrested and detained till his wife was found.

Dr Turnbull, of the Loudon Hospital, testified that the mark on the skin was not an operation scar but a piece of folding skin, caused after death. The scarred skin was from the buttock and not from the abdomen. Dr Wall, assistant physician at the Loudon Hospital, also said it was not an operation scar. London, October 22.

At the last moment a draper was called to give evidence for the prosecution. He swore that Crippen purchased the suit of pyjamas of which portions were found on the body.

Crippen was severely cross-ex-amined, and was weakest in explaining his flight. His medical witnesses, who are high authorities, were unshaken. Mr R. D. Muir, counsel for the Crown, in the course of his address, said that with the exception of the actual anatomical proof there was no doubt the body was Belle Elmore’s.

The Lord Chief Justice said it was remarkable that the prisoner had not taken steps to get testimony in support of his evidence. The jury, after a retirement of half an hour, returned a verdict of guilty. Sentence of death was then pronounced on Crippen. London, Oct. 23. Crippen, on leaving the dock, protested his innocence. Le Neve’s trial is fixed for Tuesday.

Vancouver, Oct. 23

Myron Crippen, of Los Angelos, the aged father of Dr. Crippen, declares his confident belief that Belle Elmore is alive in the United States.