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.

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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

1927

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

SLAYERS INDICTED

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

SAYS GRAY WAS HYPNOTIZED.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1927, P. 9

POISON ON TRAIN

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.

LETTERS TO GRAY FOUND.

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

TO DECIDE ON GRAY’S PLEA.

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

7 ON SNYDER JURY

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

REJECTS PLEA OF WALLACE.

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

GRAY DESCRIBES MURDER

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1927, P. 1

GRAY DENIES WISH TO KILL

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

MOTHER VISITS MRS. SNYDER

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1927, P. 21

Mrs Snyder’s mother visits her in Sing Sing

JUDD GRAY HAS A VISITOR.

MONDAY, MAY 23, 1927, P. 23

Gray receives visit from his lawyer; Mrs Snyder hears church service

DOOMED MAN LOSES APPEAL

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1927, P. 6

J Gibbs, convicted with L Mason of his murder, loses appeal from death sentence

APPEAL FOR GRAY JUNE 13.

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

WANT DOOMED PAIR SAVED.

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

EXAMINE MRS. SNYDER, GRAY

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

MRS. SNYDER FIGHTS ALONE.

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

HAZELTON STILL HAS HOPE.

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

MRS. SNYDER HYSTERICAL.

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

NEW ‘MAN’ IN SNYDER CASE.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1927, P. 2

Rept of vague story by D Chambers naming another accomplice

ASKS NEW SNYDER INQUIRY.

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

SUIT MAY HALT EXECUTION.

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

WHITMAN UPHOLDS SMITH.

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

SHE GOES TO DEATH FIRST

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

SNYDER VAULT GUARDED.

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

GETS JUDD GRAY’S LETTER.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 1928, P. 40

Daughter gets one of birthday lrs