FINAL SCENE IN THE CRIPPEN CASE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 996, 10 December 1910, Page 3

FINAL SCENE IN THE CRIPPEN CASE.

THE JURY'S VERDICT OF "WILFUL . ' . MUEDISE." The London "Daily ..News" of October 2i gives the following account of the final scene:in>the celebrated Crippen trial:— ' Tli'e jury, returned at 2.43, after an absence of almost half an hour. The Lord Chief Justice having taken his seat, tho names of the jury were called over, and the Clerk of Arraigns- asked: Are- you agreed upon ■your verdict?' ' .. . .. .The: Judge directed that. Crippen should be brought back into the'dock. Crippen came un and took his placo in tho dock. The Clerk of Arraigns' then re-' peatcd the question, to which the foreman replied: ' ■ . "We find tho prisoner guilty of wilful' niurdor." ■ Tho clerk: And that is the verdict of you. all? • ""'■ The foreman: Yes.; ■ .When the .verdict was delivered.Crippen seemed to become pale aud trembled for a moment. .Ho then. recovered his composure, and gazeel firmly at the clerk, who, called .upon him. to say if he had anything to urge why the sentence of the law should not be passed upon him.

Crippen at first said something which was inaudible, nnd the question was repented. He then -slowly, and in-a clear voice replied: "1 still protest my innocence." •.•■■•..' . i .

The Lord Chief Justice (having assumed the "black cap") said: "Hawlcy Harvey Crippen, you have been convicted upon evidence, which could leave no doubt upon'the mind of any-reasonable nian that you cruelly poisoned your wife, and 'after concealing your crime you, mutilated her body and disposed ■ piecemeal of her remains. You possessed yourself of her property and used it for your own. purposes.

; '"It Js further established that as soon as suspicion was' aroused you fled- from justice and took every measure to con-, ceal your-flight. • ■ : "On the ghastly and wicked naturo of the crime 1 will not dwell. I. only tell you that you must entertain no expectations, .or hepo. that. you ...will escape.the. consequences ot your crime. And I implore you to make your peace with vour God." ' • 1 The sentence of death was then uttered in the custdnary formula,- the sheriffs' chaplain, standing' by the Judge, closing the. scene with a. fervent "Amen." " ; The Judge turned to the. jury, and said in a formal tone: "You arc .excused from jury service for ton years, gentlemen." ..Crippen left the dock, supported by tho arm of a warder around his hack. The jury handed to tho Lord Chief Justice a sheet, of .paper containing, a communication, tho nature, of which was not made public. ■ Tho 'Judge, commenting on it, said: "That.shall be. forwarded to the .proper quarter." -