Ruth Snyder-Judd Gray Trial: 1927

The police did not disclose to Ruth Snyder the fact that they had found a small pin with the initials "J.G." on the bedroom floor. In Ruth Snyder's address book was an entry under "G" for the name Judd Gray. The investigators questioned her: "What about Judd Gray?"

Surprised, Ruth Snyder asked, "Has he confessed?" Bluffing, the police replied that he had, prompting Ruth Snyder's confession. For a year and a half, she and Gray had been lovers. Gray, she said, wanted her husband dead. Gray had hidden in the house while they were at the bridge party, then emerged from a closet to bludgeon Albert Snyder after he had fallen asleep. Ruth admitted she had helped to make the arrangements and ransack the house, but she said Gray had wielded the sash weight. The police later found Gray in the Syracuse, New York hotel she named.

When the Syracuse police arrested him, Gray first laughed at the accusation. "Ridiculous," he said. He had ample proof that he had been in Syracuse on Saturday night. But when he realized that Ruth Snyder had confessed, he admitted taking part in the crime. He said, however, that he had not wanted to kill Albert Snyder. Gray claimed he had been coerced by his lover, who threatened to tell Gray's wife about their affair.

By Tuesday, the front pages boasted pictures of Gray and Ruth Snyder, along with the full text of both their confessions. But while both had confessed, each said the other had proposed the murder. Queens District Attorney Richard Newcombe therefore obtained their indictment together as co-conspirators.