THE ESSEX MURDER

Evening Star, Issue 19791, 15 February 1928, Page 4

THE ESSEX MURDER

GROWN CASE OUTLINED LONDON, February 13. A dramatic story of the arrest of Kennedy and Browne was told in the outlining of the Crown case by Sir Travers Humphreys, who traced the history of the murder of Constable Gutteridge. Ho told of the prolonged fruitless search of Scotland Yard officers, and detailed how, nearly _ four months afterwards, the police suspicions centred on the accused. The police visited a garage at Clapham, conducted by Browne, where Kennedy was employed, and lived at the rear of the premises with his wife. Browne was arrested, after which a watch had been kept by a squad of detectives, and he was charged with stealing a Yauxhall motor car. Counsel told of the finding of four revolvers, two in the side pocket of a car, one loaded in Browne’s pocket, and one inside the house. There were also found several doctor’s articles, which Dr Lovell would swear were his property, and were in the car when it was stolen. One revolver was loaded with mark 4 bullets, which are extremely uncommon, yet identical with those which killed Constable Gutteridge. Deferring to the revolvers, Browne was alleged to have said; “ You have found them. lam done for now.” Later it was alleged he said: If you had found me in the car I would have shot you and saved the other for myself.”

Describing the arrest of Kennedy at Liverpool, counsel said he put the barrel of a revolver against the ribs of Detective Mathieson, who closed with him, but the revolver misfired.

Kennedy, according to the statement put in by Sir Travers, saw his wife in the presence of the police, and said: “These officers are inquiring about the murder of a policeman in Essex.” The wife said: “You did not murder him, did yon?” Kennedy replied; “No, but I was there, and I know who did.” Sir Travers referred to the scene in the police station, where Kennedy made a statement. This was not read owing to the defence raising an objection, but Sir Travers outlined the event preceding the statement, and said that Kennedy, when Constable Gutteridge’s murder was mentioned, asked permission to see his wife, to whom he said: “ If I am found guilty of murder I shall ho hanged, and you will be a widow; on the other hand, if I am charged as an accessory and face lengthy imprisonment, will yon wait for me? ” The wife replied; “I will wait any time.” Kennedy then said: “What shall I do? ” The wife replied; “ Tell the gentlemen the truth.” Kennedy thereupon, according to Sir Travers, said: “All right; take down what I want to say, and I will sign it.”