NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6315, 16 September 1907, Page 3

NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS.

' BIRDS OR A FEATHER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, July 2G. One of the most dramatic scenes wit* nessed in a court of justice occuried just before the curtain fell at the New Old Bailey yesterday on the Guerin drama. The principal roles in this were filled by “Eddie" Guerin and Charles Smith, both “bad men/ 4 and May Vivienne Churchill, a big, handsome Irishwoman, the full tale of whose depravity remains to bo told. “Chicago May ’ and smith were arraigned on a charge of attempting to murder Guerin. They wore found guilty, and Mr Justice Darling sentenced the woman to fifteen years penal servitude and the man to penal servitude for life. The sentences surprised both but whereas “Chicago May” took her “dose” calmly and tripped smilingly out of the docic. Smith slipped the chain of the devil that is in him. Grasping the ledge of the dock, his already most unprepossessing face distorted with passion, he hissed out at the judge: “Gawd s curses on you and your family for ever,” and followed this up with a string of vile expletives. The warders seemed for a moment benumbed by the torrent of invective shrieked out by the prisoner. Then, as he seemed about to attempt to escape from the dock, they closed upon him. Struggling with all his might and still yelling out curses on the judge and the jury. Smith was hauled down to the cells below. The sentences passed on this precious pair may seem very severe for the crime of which they were found guilty, for though undoubtedly “Chicago May'' prompted Smith to kill Guerin, and Smith very -willingly tried to accomplish that feat, he only succeeded in slightly wounding , Guerin. But Smith has a long record of villainy behind him though he is only twenty-five or twentysix years of age, and “Chicago May was fitly described by the police ns one of the most notorious criminals ,in Europe. Since she has been in England she has been locked up several times for street offences, and the police know her for a heartless blackmailer who used her personal attractions in order men into compromising positions. The suicides of at least four men have been, caused by “Chicago May’s blackmailing operations. As for Guerin he is an out-and-out bad lot, and the general idea seems to be that it is something of a pity that Smith's stabs at him did not effect their purpose, in which sase ho would have hanged, and the world woujd have been well rid of a couple of 'unmitigated scoundrels. “Eddie” Guerin's association with “Chicago May”' commenced ; in London some six years ago when they were both very ripe in criminality. Soon afterwards, our police being troublesome, the pair went on the Continent, where, after a series of minor offences, they were arrested for robbing the American Express Company in Paris. They were tried at the Seine Assizes; “Chicago May” was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude, and Guerin to penal servitude for life. Guerin was sent to Devil’s Island, off the coast of French Guiana, and in 1905 he succeeded in making his escape—in a dug-out canoe. About the same time “Chicago May’s” terra had come to an end. After going to America, Guerin returned to London and her© his with the woman was renewed. The intimacy did not, however, Inst long. Guerin was desirous of “breaking off” with May, who threatened in April last year that if ho did not remain with her she would send him back to Devil’s Island. Shortly after Guerin was arrested—somebody had given information that he was in England—and application was made by the French Government for his extradition. An order was made for his surrender; there was a successful appeal on the ground that he was a British, subject, .and on June 14th last he was released. But by this time Smith and “Chicago May” had become “friends,” Guerin’s discharge created consternation in the mind of May, She knew that.she was suspected of having given him up to the police. So on Saturday, June 15, the two prisoners went out together — Smith with a loaded revolver, Churchill with a knife. Whether they went in search of Guerin, or pnly took the weapons on the off-chance of meeting him is an open question. They certainly made straight for an hotel in Leicester Square, which was one of Guerin’s favourite haunts. Guerin, had only left the place half an hour before. A man named Oswald' told them that Guerin had been there, saying “it was lucky they did not run into him.” “Chicago May” said she was afraid Guerin would throw acid in her face. Thereupon Smith said: “She is my friend. He won’t do anything while she is with me. If he is a,bad man I will be a bad man. I will fix him”—touching his pocket. Then Smith and -May hired a. hansom, telling the cabman to drive to Marchmont street, which is a very few yards from Kenton street where they knew Guerin was lodging. Guerin was standing at the corner of Marchmont street when the cab passed him. Smith leaped out and fired at Guerip several times, with a revolver, one of the shots wounding him in the foot as he ran away. Smith and “Chicago May” were arrested on the spot, and in the woman’s room was found a box of cartridges corresponding with thosA found in the revolver need by Smith. And in the bag she was carrying at the time of her arrest was found a formidable- looking clasp knife.