"THIRD DEGREE."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 51, 25 March 1909, Page 4

"THIRD DEGREE."

GIVEN IN REAL LIFE. AMERICAN POLICE METHODS. New York, February 5. Mr Charles Klein's new play, "The Third Degree," which has aroused much discussion by its denunciation of the inquisitorial procedure of American police in criminal cases finds sensational illustriftions in the methods of the police to unravel the mystery of the murder of Frank Wilhclm, who was a justice of the Peace iu Newmarket, N.J. Mr Wilhelui's widow has been subjected to exceeding severe police examinations, which included a visit, late last night, to the Morgue, where without warning, she was confronted with her husband's body. She suffered an attack of hysteria and was then sent back to the gaol in a state of nervous collapse. The police an hour later after followed this procedure with Nicholas Sica, who is ill custody because of his alleged relations with Mrs. Willielni. They took liiui to the residence where Mr \Vilhelm was murdered. Wilhclm's body was placed in the basement, where lie was found slain. The police led Sica to the spot in the darkness and then the light was suddenly Hashed 011, disclosing Wilhelui's body, over which Sica stumbled. The police inquisitor shouted -. " What do you know about this man's death f" Sica fainted from terror, lie was taken in an unconscious condition back to gaol.