THE CLAPHAM MURDER,

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3171, 17 March 1911, Page 5

THE CLAPHAM MURDER,

STEINER MORRISON ON TRIAL. FRESH EVIDENCE ADMITTED L united press association—copyright. j LONDON, March Iff. Counsel lor the prosecution argued that Steiner Morrison’s defence rested almost entirely on liis own oath. His attack on witnesses suggested inquiry into lus own antecedents. Hence lie was scarohingly cross-examined. The prosecution contended that he practised as a burglar and used an instrument of death, probably a jemmy. Regarding alleged political revenge, Inspector Wensley had testified that Beron did not give information concerning the Houndsditch murderers. The Judge, after consulting with counsel, agreed to admit fresh evidence in the Morrison case. A constable stated that the prisoner was definitely charged with murder which the police has hitherto denied.

In the Clapham Common murder trial the whole day was spent in Air Justice Darling’s searching inquiry into the police treatment of Alorrison. Constable Greaves gave evidence that he wrote to Morrison’s counsel in the interests of justice detailing what occurred at the police station, and said he had hesitated to ppealc earlier as he did not desire to implicate In's .colleagues.

ACCUSED SENTENCED TO DEATH.

“I DECLINE SUCH' MERCY."

Steiner Alorrison, charged with the murder of Beron, a wealthy Jew. 'was found guilty, and .has been sentenced to death'.

■ Steiner Alorrison stood with his arms folded and his head ffung back, and gazed: defiantly at the foreman and judge. Then referring to the closing invocation of the death sentence, he exclaimed : "I decline such mercy. .1 do not. believe there is a God in heaven.”

POLICE METHODS CRITICISED.

IN DIS CRI MI N ATE "SNAP-SHOT-TING” CONDEMNED.

(Received Alarch 16, 10.45 p.m.)

LONDON, March 16. Constable Greaves, under cross-exam-ination, admitted that he had been twice suspended, firstly for complaining of his sergeant," and, secondly, for making supposedly untrue statements to his superintendent. After that he was transferred to another district.

Air Justice Darling, in the course of his summing-up, endorsed the jury’s protest against indiscriminate snapshotting of those engaged! in a trial. It was, he said, far graver when people were permitted to photograph prisoners, who had not yet been identified by those having testified 1 against them. Such photographs might be seen by possibly uncertain witnesses, inducing them to swear to identification, which otherwise they would be unable. Alorrison had been photographed 1 when he had been merely remanded on suspicion. The practice was obviously injurious to the prosecution and calculated to frustrate the whole ends of justice. The jury were absent for about 35 minutes.

Mr Churchill, in reply to a'question, said the question of having snapshooters at- trials was under consideration.