The Dumbbell Murder
The Murder That Became a Media Circus — And a Famous Movie
– Case Description
The bungled crime featured an affair, a murder and a planned insurance scam. It also included the first photograph of an execution at Sing Sing Prison.
Ruth Snyder, the unhappy housewife of a magazine art editor, began an affair with a corset salesman, Judd Gray. After taking out three insurance policies, the two killed Ruth’s husband and staged a burglary scene. It didn’t take long for Henry Flattery to connect the dots.
In its coverage, the tabloid press turned Snyder and Gray into sensational figures. The tabloids did not hesitate to make up details. There was no adherence to facts by any means. The driving force behind this coverage was a New York tabloid press war between the Daily Graphic, the Daily News and William Randolph Hearst’s Daily Mirror.
Coverage

NEW YORK TIMES
GRAY’S FIRST STORY WAS A FULL DENIAL
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1927, P. 3
SLAYERS OF SNYDER FACE SPEEDY TRIAL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1927, P. 1
Slayers arraigned in Jamaica Court; both plead not guilty, recanting confessions; H Gray and H L Platt of Syracuse, who are said to have aided Gray’s alibi are held; funeral services; wife visits Gray; insanity defense hinted
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1927, P. 1
Mrs Snyder and Gray indicted on first degree murder charges; H Gray and Platt tell of establishing alibi unknowing that it was to cover crime; Mrs Snyder’s story
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1927, P. 9
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1927, P. 1
Police trace purchase of sashweight with which crime was committed to Gray; detective tells of preventing suicide of Gray on train; counsel denies change of venue plan; lrs from Mrs Snyder to Gray found in Easton, Pa.
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1927, P. 22
SNYDER STRUGGLED TO ESCAPE SLAYERS
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1927, P. 27
Struggled to escape his slavers, says Dist Atty Newcombe; alienists offer to help defense
DEFENSE DIVIDED IN SNYDER MURDER
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1927, P. 27
Lawyers for Gray and Mrs Snyder said to be at variance; J Sanacrory tells of getting evidence for Synder in 1924 to help him get divorce, tells of Snyder beating Gray; Mrs L Mulhauser tells of hearing screams
THREAT OF SUICIDE BY SNYDER TOLD
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1927, P. 19
Gray visited by relatives; Snyder’s suicide threat; investigation of Gray’s movements in Syracuse concluded
STATE BUILDS CASE IN SNYDER MURDER
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1927, P. 12
Plans for trial of Gray and Mrs Snyder
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1927, P. 25
Plans for trial of Gray and Mrs Snyder
COURT SETS APRIL 18 FOR SNYDER TRIAL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1927, P. 29
Date set for trial of Mrs Snyder and Gray; no separate trials asked; photographers, standees and lunchbaskets will be barred from courtroom; Mrs J Brown, mother of Mrs Snyder, says she will resist attempts by Snyder’s relatives to obtain custody o…
GRAY READY FOR TRIAL FOR SNYDER’S MURDER
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1927, P. 26
Gray ready for trial; will not ask for change of venue; Mrs Brown visits daughter
NOT A CRUEL KILLER, GRAY WRITES IN CELL
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1927, P. 25
Gray writes lr from cell to A D Bedell, text
MRS. SNYDER TO ASK FOR SEPARATE TRIAL
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1927, P. 8
Lr written by Gray to Bedell may be used as evidence against him; Mrs Snyder will ask for separate trial
ORDERS MRS. SNYDER TO TRIAL WITH GRAY DESPITE HER PLEA
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1927, P. 1
Separate trial refused; Mrs L Hill, spiritualist, tells of warning Gray
WHY GRAY KILLED, PUZZLE TO MOTHER
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1927, P. 27
Gray’s mother, Mrs C B Gray, gives interview
GRAY ACTS TO RAISE CASH FOR HIS TRIAL
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1927, P. 29
Gray acts to raise cash for trial
GRAY IS EXAMINED BY FOUR ALIENISTS
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1927, P. 10
Gray examined by alienists
MRS. SNYDER ASKS WOMEN’S SYMPATHY
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1927, P. 17
Mrs Snyder, in newspaper appeal, asks for sympathy of women and accuses Gray; alienists make second examination of Gray; Gray’s wife not to attend trial
MRS. SNYDER BREAKS AS TRIAL DAY NEARS
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1927, P. 8
Mrs Snyder has hysteria in cell; Gray blames Mrs Snyder in talk with alienists; additional evidence against Gray is sought up-State
GRAY IS FOUND SANE BY HIS OWN ALIENISTS
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1927, P. 23
H J Gray, charged with murder of A Snyder, pronounced sane by own defense alienists, T S Cusack and S Block; Dr Cusack explains act to remove stigma from testimony of defense alienists in murder trials
NOT A JUROR PICKED FOR SNYDER TRIAL OUT OF 50 EXAMINED
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1927, P. 1
Trial opens; difficulty in selecting jury
ONE JUROR CHOSEN FOR SNYDER TRIAL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1927, P. 1
1 juror chosen, 86 rejected
FOUR ARE QUALIFIED AS SNYDER JURORS
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1927, P. 1
3 more jurors selected; statement by Mrs Snyder’s counsel on jury selection; rumor that deacons of Cavalry Baptist Church oppose J R Straton’s writing up trial for newspaper
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1927, P. 1
3 more jurors chosen; new panel drawn
FULL SNYDER JURY PICKED ON 5TH DAY
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1927, P. 1
Jury box filled; pors of jury
SNYDER JURORS GUARDED IN HOMES
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1927, P. 24
Trial; jurymen guarded in their homes by plain clothes men; plans of prosecution and defense
STATE OPENS TODAY IN THE SNYDER TRIAL
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1927, P. 25
All in readiness for trial; Gray’s defense unrevealed
SNYDER WAS TRICKED INTO BIG INSURANCE, STATE WITNESS SAYS
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1927, P. 1
Trial; L Ashfield, on stand, tells how Snyder was tricked into signing big insurance policy; opening s by Dist Atty Newcombe
TEXT OF CONFESSION MRS. SNYDER MADE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1927, P. 16
SNYDER JURY HEARS WIDOW’S CONFESSION TO SLAYING HUSBAND
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1927, P. 1
Testifies to Mrs Snyder’s confession, at murder trial
SNYDER JURY HEARS GRAY’S CONFESSION ACCUSING WOMAN
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1927, P. 1
Gray’s confession read in court; text; bank officials testify on deposit boxes rented by Mrs Snyder for insurance policies
MRS. SNYDER GOES ON STAND TODAY TO DENY GRAY STORY
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1927, P. 1
Mrs Snyder to take stand; testimony of H Gray on alibi preparations
WIDOW ON STAND SWEARS GRAY ALONE KILLED SNYDER AS SHE TRIED TO SAVE HIM
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1927, P. 1
Mrs Snyder on stand; repudiates confession; text of testimony
CHILD TO TESTIFY AFTER MRS. SNYDER FACES STATE’S FIRE
SUNDAY, MAY 1, 1927, P. 1
Involved in scandal in Vienna
MRS. SNYDER FACES LONG ORDEAL TODAY
MONDAY, MAY 2, 1927, P. 1
Mrs Snyder to continue her story on stand; temporary insanity to be Gray’s defense; demand of Mrs Snyder’s counsel for indictment of H Gray and H L Platt is refused by Dist Atty of Syracuse
MONDAY, MAY 2, 1927, P. 6
MRS. SNYDER FIGHTS BACK AS THE STATE ASSAILS HER, ESPECIALLY ON INSURANCE
TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1927, P. 1
Summing up by E Marshall
GRAY SWEARS MRS. SNYDER BROACHED MURDER PLOT
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1927, P. 1
Mrs Snyder’s story wavers near end of testimony; child, Lorraine, on stand; Gray begins testimony; text of testimonies
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1927, P. 1
FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1927, P. 1
Gray cross-examined; text
SNYDER CASE GOES TO JURY MONDAY
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1927, P. 1
Testimony completed; Gray concludes his story
MRS. SNYDER HOPES, GRAY IS RESIGNED, AWAITING LAST PLEA
SUNDAY, MAY 8, 1927, P. 1
Tells of growth of Queens real estate
GRAY AND WOMAN MAKE LAST APPEALS TO THE JURY TODAY
MONDAY, MAY 9, 1927, P. 1
Held on charge of murdering wife
Court’s Refusal To Permit Controversy Sped Case To A Verdict In Eleven Days
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1927, P. 21
MRS. SNYDER AND GRAY FOUND GUILTY IN THE FIRST DEGREE IN SWIFT VERDICT
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1927, P. 1
appeals will be made
JUDGE WARNED JURY TO AVOID SYMPATHY
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1927, P. 1
text of judge’s charge to jury
GUARD MRS. SNYDER, VICTIM OF HYSTERIA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1927, P. 1
Mrs Snyder guarded, after second attack of hysteria, to prevent suicide; appeals in preparation; legal action to be taken toward appt of guardian for child, Lorraine, and for payment of life insurance policy
SENTENCE SPEEDED FOR SNYDER SLAYERS
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1927, P. 1
Sentences to be speeded
SLAYERS OF SNYDER HEAR DOOM TODAY
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1927, P. 25
Gray resigned to fate; prays with A H McKernan of Salvation Army; Mrs. Snyder refuses to see any one; precautions taken to avoid crowds at sentence
SLAYERS OF SNYDER HEAR DOOM UNMOVED
SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1927, P. 1
Death sentence pronounced; hope placed in appeals
LEGAL FIGHT LOOMS OVER SNYDER CHILD
SUNDAY, MAY 15, 1927, P. 15
Report for Apr
SNYDER SLAYERS GO TO SING SING TODAY
MONDAY, MAY 16, 1927, P. 23
DEATH CELLS HOUSE SLAYERS OF SNYDER
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1927, P. 1
Slayers taken to Sing Sing
ALDERMAN DENIES HE TRAILED SLAYERS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1927, P. 28
Denies report that he was in car bearing aldermanic insignia that trailed Snyder slayers on way to Sing Sing
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1927, P. 21
Mrs Snyder’s mother visits her in Sing Sing
MONDAY, MAY 23, 1927, P. 23
Gray receives visit from his lawyer; Mrs Snyder hears church service
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1927, P. 6
J Gibbs, convicted with L Mason of his murder, loses appeal from death sentence
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1927, P. 16
Gray’s counsel plans for filing of appeal
MRS. SNYDER FILES NOTICE OF APPEAL
SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1927, P. 19
Mrs Snyder files notice of appeal
Gray Has Callers In Death House.
MONDAY, MAY 30, 1927, P. 3
GRAY’S WIFE VISITS HIM FOR TIME
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1927, P. 23
Gray gets visit from wife
MRS. SNYDER TO FIGHT VOIDING OF INSURANCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 1927, P. 24
Mrs Snyder will fight efforts of Prudential Ins Co to void policies on his life; alienists will examine Gray and Mrs Snyder
COURT FIGHT OPENS FOR SNYDER CHILD
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1927, P. 27
Court fight opens between Mrs Brown and W Schneider for guardianship of Lorraine; E P Duffield, Pres of Prudential Ins Co explains action in move to void policies
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1927, P. 20
Circular lr from Tex urges Gov Smith to commute sentences of Gray and Mrs Snyder
SNYDER INSURANCE REFUND IS REJECTED
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 1927, P. 19
Mrs Snyder refuses to accept insurance refund
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1927, P. 3
Gray and Mrs Snyder examined by alienists of Lunacy Comm
Confer On Snyder Slayers’ Appeals.
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1927, P. 22
2 confs held in Queens Co Court House on appeals of Gray and Mrs Snyder
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1927, P. 36
Condemned pair will make separate fights for new trial
Alienists Examine Snyder Slayers.
THURSDAY, JULY 7, 1927, P. 16
Gray and Mrs Snyder examined by alienists of N Y S Lunacy Comm
MRS. SNYDER WANTS GRAY TO TAKE BLAME
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1927, P. 7
Rumor that Mrs Snyder has asked Gray to take blame; dissension between D Wallace and F Hazelton, attys for Mrs Snyder, denied by Wallace
MRS. SNYDER FIGHTS VOIDING INSURANCE
SUNDAY, JULY 24, 1927, P. 14
Mrs Snyder fights attempt to void life insurance policies; Gray keeps up premiums on his life insurance
WITHHOLDS VERDICT ON SNYDER INSURANCE
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 1927, P. 10
N Y Supreme Court hears arguments in suit to void insurance policies
MRS. SNYDER LOSES INSURANCE PLEA
FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1927, P. 17
MRS. SNYDER’S APPEAL TO CALL TRIAL UNFAIR
MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 1927, P. 19
Basis of Mrs Snyder’s appeal
SLAYERS OF SNYDER SANE, ALIENISTS SAY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1927, P. 25
Albrecht declared sane by State Lunacy Comm
TO USE TRIAL IN 1682 IN SNYDER APPEAL
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1927, P. 19
Mrs Snyder’s lawyer will use English case 245 yrs old as basis of argument for new trial
NEW SNYDER TRIALS ASKED OF HIGH COURT
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1927, P. 31
Gray and Mrs Snyder enter pleas in N Y Court of Appeals for separate trials
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1927, P. 2
SNYDER SLAYERS MUST DIE, COURT RULES, DENYING PLEA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1927, P. 1
Mrs Snyder and Gray lose appeal
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1927, P. 2
STILL HOPE TO SAVE SLAYERS OF SNYDER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1927, P. 1
Last minute moves to save Gray and Mrs Snyder
LEOPOLD ALIENIST TO AID MRS. SNYDER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1927, P. 29
Leopold-Loeb alienist, C A Neymann, retained by counsel to examine Mrs Snyder; Comr Kieb says examination will not be permitted; Gray’s counsel seeks habeas corpus writ
KIEB DEFENDS BAR ON SNYDER ALIENIST
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1927, P. 29
Explains barring of Neymann
Smith Sets Dec. 29 For Mrs. Snyder’s Plea
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1927, P. 1
Gov Smith sets date for hearing Mrs Snyder’s appeal; Gray’s counsel seeks Federal writ
Alienists Test Snyder And Gray.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1927, P. 36
Gray and Mrs Snyder get another sanity test
SNYDER SLAYERS GET GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1927, P. 2
Slayers get gifts
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1927, P. 2
Rept of vague story by D Chambers naming another accomplice
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1927, P. 19
Mrs Snyder’s counsel asks for inquiry on alleged new evidence; H Gray said to be involved; Prudential Ins Co gets order to restrain prosecution of suit to collect ins policies
JUDD GRAY SCOFFS AT ‘NEW EVIDENCE’
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1927, P. 22
Gray scoffs at story of new evidence; denies H Gray was implicated
RUTH SNYDER’S CASE TAKEN TO GOVERNOR
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1927, P. 29
Formal application made for Mrs Snyder’s hearing before Gov
CONFESSION’ BASIS OF CLEMENCY PLEA
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1927, P. 18
Third degree becomes issue in Doran’s plea for clemency; minority rept of N Y S Court of Appeals
Three Alienists Find Snyder Slayers Sane In Report To Gov. Smith
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1927, P. 1
Condemned couple again pronounced sane
Gov. Smith To Hear Mrs. Snyder’s Plea Jan. 5
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1927, P. 1
Sets date for hearing appeals
Gov. Smith Hears Plea For Mrs. Snyder Today
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1928, P. 1
Will make public decision at hearing
GOV.SMITH INDICATES HE WILL DENY PLEAS OF SNYDER SLAYERS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1928, P. 1
Smith hears appeals; suit by Prudential Ins Co to void policies may halt execution of Mrs Snyder
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1928, P. 4
DENIES SUIT IS MOVE TO AID MRS. SNYDER
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1928, P. 3
Mrs Snyder’s counsel says postponement of Prudential Ins Co of Amer’s suit cannot affect her execution; Warden Lawes resents appearance of Mrs Snyder’s “life story in newspapers; rept that names of J Lonardo and F Bambara, members of her counsel,
MRS. SNYDER CAUGHT SMUGGLING LETTERS
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1928, P. 23
Death
MRS. SNYDER RENEWS FIGHT FOR HER LIFE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1928, P. 1
Mrs Snyder plans appeal to Federal Court and tries to settle differences among counsel; Assemblyman McGrath withdraws bill for abolition of capital punishment which was to have been basis of new appeal; Gray spends time in prayer
SMITH REFUSES CLEMENCY TO MRS. SNYDER AND GRAY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1928, P. 1
Gov refuses clemency; Gray’s wife visits him; A McKernan, Salvation Army ensign, gets court order permitting her to visit Mrs Snyder; Bd of Control of North Hudson Exch Club appeals to Gov for clemency and urges abolition of capital punishment
MRS. SNYDER WINS A STAY UNTIL TOMORROW MORNING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1928, P. 1
N Y S Supreme Court grants brief stay of execution to Mrs Snyder on plea by lawyers that her presence is needed as witness in ins suit; Federal pleas to be made; A McKernan and Father P Murphy barred from visiting Mrs Snyder; final mental examina
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1928, P. 2
Upholds Gov Smith’s refusal of clemency to Mrs Snyder and H J Gray, condemned for murder of A Snyder; views on capital punishment
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1928, P. 1
Execution of Mrs R Snyder and H J Gray for murder of A Snyder
LAST LEGAL MOVES FOR SLAYERS VAIN
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1928, P. 14
Mrs Snyder’s stay vacated; she and Gray executed
WIFE TRIED 7 TIMES TO MURDER SNYDER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1928, P. 14
Various attempts of wife to murder him; outline of murder and trial
MRS. SNYDER LEFT MESSAGE TO CHILD
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1928, P. 8
Gray and Mrs Snyder leave lrs for their daughters; Gray’s funeral; hearing to be held in suit by Prudential Ins Co of Amer to void policies; Comr of Corrections Kieb will investigate rept that reporter took picture of Mrs Snyder in electric chair;…
SNYDER-GRAY DEATHS CALLED A CRUEL ORGY
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1928, P. 12
G W Kirchwey denounces executions, case against reporters who tried to interview Mrs Gray dismissed
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1928, P. 7
Crowds at cemeteries where bodies of Gray and Mrs Snyder are placed
Gray’s Will Admitted To Probate.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1928, P. 10
Gray’s will
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1928, P. 40
Daughter gets one of birthday lrs
COMPANY OPENS FIGHT ON SNYDER INSURANCE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1928, P. 46
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1928, P. 31
Trial of Prudential Life Ins Co to have A F Snyder’s policy voided
COURT DEFERS RULING ON SNYDER INSURANCE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1928, P. 18
Court reserves decision at conclusion of trial to void insurance on life of Snyder
Snyder’s $95,000 Insurance Voided By Court, Ruling Slain Man’s Daughter Can’t Collect
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1928, P. 19
Insurance in favor of daughter voided
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1928, P. 9
Doomed Ships, story of his life, released from press by Boni & Liveright
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1929, P. 15
Daughter of J Gray, executed with Mrs R Snyder for murder of A Snyder, to receive her annual birthday letter, left with lawyer by father
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1929, P. 12
Referee apptd to rept on proposed sale of house in which R Snyder and J Gray murdered him
DAILY NEWS
BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE
https://www.newspapers.com/image/686538860
Wire Caused Snyder Death Gray Tied It, Widow Hints
Brooklyn, New York
Mon, Apr 25, 1927 · Page 1
Follow the Paw Prints
On the scene at the Bates Motel in Lewiston, Maine, looking for a creative outlet.
– Henry Flattery’s Granddaughter
Qualities
Cynical
Sarcastic
Snarky