trial

Mrs. Helen M. Angle was on trial in March, 1915, for manslaughter in the death of her friend Waldo R. Ballou in Stamford, Connecticut on June 23, 1914. Helen was divorced from her husband of twelve years, Frank W. Angle. Her father was Leonard Blondel, a wealthy former Stamford Councilman who was retired from the coal and road contracting business Waldo Ballou was was a friend of her fathers, and a leading Republican politician and Stamford business man. Helen met Waldo in 1911 after his wife died. Waldo proposed to Helen several times, but she said he was too old. He was 69, she was 40. Mrs Angle took the stand in her own defense, and told her version of what happened on the night of June 23, 1914. More than 500 people were turned away from the packed courtroom. After a twelve day trial the jury deliberated for one hour and forty-five minutes before returning a verdict of not guilty, after three ballots. Judge William H. Williams presided. Eight months after the trial, Helen remarried her former husband, Frank Angle, a foreman at Union Metallic Cartridge Company in Stamford. It was said that during her trial Mr Angle's sympathies were aroused, and he was a frequent visitor in the court. [1] [2] [3]  

There are several low-angle shots from inside the courtroom. I wonder if they were taken surreptitously?

Thanks Pixel Wrangler for her full name, we will update our record. That's a good question artolog. I think it would be hard to sneak a camera from that time period in, but he may have been able to take in his camera because he took photos before and after the trial. The only thing I'm unsure of, is if he could take multiple photos without making any noise or being disruptive. He would have had to change the glass negatives and that seems like that would be hard to do secretly. That's all assumption on my part. Feel free to suggest other reasons.

Interesting enough the gun appears to be a German made Luger. Probably not a gun used by the local police back then! I also find it interesting to see some sort of workbench tool behind the window on the left, why is that located in a court building? Could this be the technical evidence department or something? The Luger is being checked in as evidence to be examined indoors?

Compton Mackenzie was tried for breaching the Official Secrets Act in 1933. www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jmackenzie.htm and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compton_Mackenzie#Other_work Some questions were raised in the Commons about the case. It appears the accused was kept in the Tower: hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1933/feb/21/official-...

I think it's a Luger, too!

Juffrouw Jo Workbench tool? That's for extracting confessions.

great quality of the picture. so interesting that man at the window!

Philip T. White, a 34 year old executive at a Brooklyn paint company with a fine home in Elizabeth, New Jersey and a young family, was accused of masterminding a payroll holdup of his employer. At his trial, held in late April 1915, he dramatically halted proceedings and made an impassioned confession of a double life. He was sentenced to 7 1/2 to 15 years at Sing Sing. select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0E11FB3E5D1673... fultonhistory.com/Process%20Small/Newspapers/Newspapers%2... The Gloversville Morning Herald, May 1, 1915 mused on Mr. White's fate: "A Rare Sort of Criminal. If Philip T. White, the Brooklynite, who confessed engineering the hold-up and robbery of the Masury Plant works pay roll messengers carrying $3,000, had kited one of the company's checks or juggled accounts his crime would have excited no unusual comment. But the fact that a man in his position and with his qualities should engage in or direct highwayman's job is most peculiar and surprising. White drew a good salary and was a thoroughly trusted employee. His appearance and manner were all in his favor and he was as much unlike the conventional hold-up man as one could imagine. His industry and ability distinguished him from the common run of employees. Yet, notwithstanding he had earned the confidence of his superiors, that his future was most encouraging, that he was not greatly in need of money, if, indeed, he was in need at all, the man framed up a job to rob the two pay roll messengers within the office building, within sound and sight of his own office and only a few feet removed from the head man of the company. Diligent, earnest and apparently ambitious during the daytime, White fell into bad company, then conspired with members of the underworld and planned the robbery, which was very bold and certainly very successful. That was a year ago. It was White's first offense—he says it is his last. It is the remarkable contradition between the man's daylight habits and his night associations that astonishes. His friends had faith in him to the last and he lived well up to the requirements of his responsible post. Yet he traveled with members of the underworld when off duty; that is, he did for a period before he fell. No one reading his confession could fail to think there is some good left in the fellow and the hope is his determination to live straight when he is again free will be adhered to. Certainly Philip T. White has furnished Brooklyn with a most unusual criminal sensation." fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2011/Gloversville%20NY%20Morn...

Thanks for connecting this somewhat movement-filled picture with sources on the strange career of Philip T. White! We'll add some information to the description (including the dates that appear on the negative, which look like "4/27/15") when we next update.