FINAL PROCEEDINGS IN COURT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13007, 8 January 1908, Page 7

FINAL PROCEEDINGS IN COURT.

MR PLOWDEN'S REMARKS.

DEFENDANTS CHARACTER VINDICATED.

(Received January 7th, 10.59 p.m.) ( LONDON, January 7. Mr Plowden asked Mr Atherley Jones what impression Dr. Peppor'e very renuirknblo evidence had produced on his mind. Mr Jones 6aid it was impossible to pr<sss the case further. Ho complained of tho undeserved obloquy cast upon tho prosecution, considering that, with the, exception of one witness, the largo body of the evidence was unshaken by etrenuoijK and prolonged ernes-examina-tion. Aftor the exhumation it was impossible, to deny that it had been clearly demonstrated that Druco dirxj in London and was buried at Highgate, and that the body exhumod waa the same body as that buried. There was also strong evidence to show that the body was that of Druco. While Herbert Druco ivas right in refusing to open tho grave under menace of p_ro»eciition, ho had shown wise judgment in yielding to the moral pressure of public opinion. Mr Plowtlcn said that after the silont but important voice from tho grave, it would Ik* impossible to continue the prosecution without serious injury to justice, but apart from this now dramatic feature, Mr Jonioe nnist havo felt the foundations of his case slipping away after tho collapse of his inotst important witness , and his long, frtiitlnes cro.'ss-e.xaminatiou of Nurse Bailey. At last the bubble which had floated so long and mischievously out of reach had been effectively wrecked. No ono could now doubt that Drueedied amid his family, ami was buried in Highgato. His existence stood out as clear, distinct, and undeniable as that of any human l>eing who ever lived. How the myth confusing him with Portland arose, it w«s idle to speculate. Trie case was v, fresh instnnoo of hew tihe love of the marvellous was deeply ingrained in human nature, and was a striking proof of tho truly unfathomable depths of human credulity. The Court thanked Mr Herbert Drnco for consenting, in the interests of justice, to the distasteful stop of opening the grave. Ho left tho Court with his character for truthfulness absolutely and conclusively vindicated.