A TERRIBLE RECORD OF CRIME.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 36

A TERRIBLE RECORD OF CRIME.

Nkw York, May ( J. Tho notorious murderer Holmes has been executed in Philadelphia. 110 confessed to having committed twenty-seven murders.

A CLEVER CRIMINAL. THE MURDERER, BY" HIS CUNNING, IUWLBS EXPERTS. Holmes was arrested on information supplied by an insurance company, and the specific charge made against him was that lie had obtained an insurance policy on a man's life with whom ho had had some business connections, and the man mysteriously disappeared. After tho arrest a number of other cases came to light where insured parties had suddenly disappeared, and in several of these cases Holmes' connection was traced in so far as tho receipt of insurance moneys was concerned. Another chargo

was made against him that ho had done away with tlio husband of a woman with whom ho was supposed to have had improper relations, and also her two children. At Holmes' first trial this woman turned tip and made an effort on the witness stand to save him. The case at this time had become a celebrated one, and sensational stones of Holmes filled all the American newspapers. The coolness with which Holmes conducted himself, and the apparent frankness and truthfulness of his manner, deceived a groat many people. Finally the man himself became a subject of curiosity to the medical profession, especially those interested in the study of insanity. A celebrated London expert in insanity investigated the case, and at the instigation of one of the American newspapers visited Holmes in Moyamensing Prison, Philadelphia; but Holmes succeeded in completely baffling the London expert, who was unable to come to any positive conclusion. The trial of Holmes lasted several weeks, and lie conducted his own defence with an ability which displayed not only much knowledge of the law, but also a remarkable shrewdness and cleverness in avoiding any traps set for him by the prosecuting counsel. His cross-examination of the witnesses brought against him would havedonecredit to the most able of criminal lawyers. There was no direct evidence, it might be said, and the jury were undoubtedly influenced by the mass of general testimony brought against him. Many people, while feeling certain of Holmes' guilt, did not believe that that guilt was clearly proved, but public opinion was so strong that no effort was made to savo him. An appeal was taken to the higher Courts, and fiually to the Court of Pardon, which refused, however, to interfere with the verdict and sentence.