THE CLAPHAM MURDER

Otago Witness, Issue 2975, 22 March 1911, Page 29

THE CLAPHAM MURDER

MORRISON FOUND GUILTY. DEATH SENTENCE PASSED. LONDON, March 13. Morrison was damagingly cross-examined for a whole day. He admitted he had used the name of Alexander Petrapavloff in a petition to the Home Secretary praying to be repatriated to Russia, though be was really named Morrison, and was born in Sydney in 1882. He admitted a number of •convictions since 1898, including theft and burglary. In a dramatic outburst he declared that the reason was that the police had a down on him. The defence has closed. March 14. While Morrison's counsel was addressing the jury a brother of the victim (Beron) rushed towards counsel shrieking "He is my brother's murderer." Detectives seized and ejected the interrupter, who kept shouting, " He's going to get him off." Morrison was unmoved. Counsel declared that the prosecution's important evidence had broken down. March 15. In the Clapham murder trial counsel for the prosecution argued that Steiner Morrison's defence rested almost entirely on his own oath, and his attack on the witnesses suggested an inquiry into his own antecedents. Hence he was se/archingly cross-examined. The prosecution contended that he was a practised burglar, and used.instruments of death, probably a jemmy. Regarding the charge of alleged political revenge, Inspector Wensley had testified that Beron (the murdered man) did not give any information concerning the Houndsditch murders. The judge, after consultation with counsel, agreed to admit fresh evidence offered by a constable. A day was spent over Mr Justice Dar-

ling's searching inquiry into the police treatment of Morrison. Constable Greaves gave evidence that he wrote to Morrison's counsel in the interests of justice, detailing what had occurred at the police station. He had hesitated to speak earlier, as he did not desire to implicate his colleagues. He asserted that the prisoner bad been definitely charged with the murder, although the police, hitherto, have denied this. Morrison was found guilty and sentenced to death. Morrison, with his arms folded and his head flung back, gazed defiantly at the foreman and the judge. When the closing invocation of the sentence was delivered he exclaimed: "I decline such mercy. Ido not believe there is a God in heaven." March 16. In cross-examination Constable Greaves admitted that he had twice been suspended. —firstly for complaining of his sergeant, and secondly for making supposed untrue statements to the superintendent. He was thereafter transferred to another division. Mr Justice Darling, in summing up, endorsed the jury's protest against the indiscriminate snapshotting of those engaged for trial. It was far graver when people were permitted to photograph prisoners not yet identified by those having testified against them. . Such photographs might be seen by possibly uncertain witnesses, inducing them to swear as to identification which they would otherwise be unable to do. Morrison was thus photographed when merely remanded on suspicion. The practice was obviously injurious to the prosecution and was calculated to frustrate the whole ends of justice. The jury was absent for 35 minutes. Mr Churchill, in reply to a question, said the question of snapshotting persons awaiting trial was under consideration. March 17. Steiner Morrison is appealing to the Court of Criminal Appeal. Solomon Beron, the victim's brother, who created a scene in court, has been arrested for lunacy.