GHASTLY TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2572, 5 August 1909, Page 7

GHASTLY TRAGEDY.

FRUITERER DONE TO DEATH.

WIFE CHARGED WITH MURDER,

Further particulars regarding the murder of Edward Cox, a fruiterer at Horsham, which occurred on July 13, , have come to hand. His wife, Martha Caroline Do-rothy Cox, and Albert Hay, have been arrested and charged with the crime. Hay, who stated that he was only 21 years of age, had been a frequent visitor to the residence of the murdered man and Mrs. Cox. Edwin Cox was 56, years of .age, and his wife is very much younger. They had been married Only a few shears and did not live happily together.

The first news of the tragedy was given to the police by Mrs. Cox. Meeting Sergeant Ivenncally and Constable .Black about 11 o’clock, she informed them that while she was in the shop counting out tlio cash a man whom she believed to be a resident of Quantong called. After asking for some cigarettes he rushed into the room at the rear of tlio shop, in which her husband was,'and attacked him. There Was. she said, a brief struggle, after which her husband fell wounded to the floor. The man then ran out of the building. Sergeant Kenneally and Con-, stable Black hurried to the shop and found Cox lying in the room. Dr. Read was at once called in,' and he found that Cox was dead. There was a Jeep wound on the right temple, and others on the side and top of the head.

The wounds had been caused by blows from a blunt instrument. There was little or n.o blood about the body, and the police found evidence which caused them to come to the conclusion that an effort had been made to clear up the stains. The body had-been carefully washed. . Thero were splashes of blood on .a dresser in the room, and an effort had been made to wipe them out. Blood marks were also- found in the shop. The police questioned Mrs. Cox as to the manner in which her husband met his death; but she adhered to her story; and also said.that she knew of no reason for the crime. A Mrs. Griffiths, who, with her child, was staying at the shop, was also questioned; but she said she knew nothing more of the murder than did Mrs. Cox.

The police then decided to make a' thorough search of the premises, and they made some important discoveries In a hole in the shop they found several articles, including a bloodstained shirt, which had the appearance of having been hurriedly crushed into the hole. Under the counter they found a. tin dish, which the police believe was also used in connection with the crime. Mrs. Cox was questioned regarding these articles, but she denied any knowledge of them having boon associated in any way with her husband’s death. She told tbe police that she was very excited at the time of the attack on her husband. But subsequently she said that she was not too excited to remember what had occurred. She had lost no time in informing the police of the murder, and asserted that if any attempt had been made to clean up the bloodstains it must have been made during the time .she was away looking for the police. Further inquiries led to the belief that the man named Albert Hay had been a frequent visitor to the shop, and the police interviewed him at his mother’s house. They found Hay in bed. The police told him about the murder of Mr. Cox, and he at once protested that he knew nothing about it. He was ordered to dress, however, and prepare to accompany the police to the station. He again asserted that ho knew nothing about the crime. He accompanied the officers to the station, and was charged with having wilfullv murdered Edward Cox. 'Constable Black asked him if tlio "flirt lie was wearing was the one he had on the previous night, and Hay answered “Yes.” No it isn’t,”' said the constable. “Then call me a liar,” * re-' plied Hay. The following morn.ig Mrs. Cox was arrested on a- charge of wilful murder. She again protested her innocence. Mrs. Griffiths made a statement to the police to the effect that she was employed by Mrs. Cox in the capacity of a domestic servant. On July 13 she returned home about eight 'o’clock, and -saw Hay and Mrs. Cox sitting on the sofa in the dining room. She wrote two letters, which she posted. On her return to the dining room the two accused were still there. After some time she went to her bedroom, Mrs. Cox and Hay still being on the sofa. Her little boy woke her up and she went and gat beside him. Subsequently she heard Mr Cox in his stockinged feet, and heard Mrs. Cox call out “Griffiths!” adding: “My God. they're fighting! She asked, “Who?” Mrs. Cox replied, “Don’t be a fool.” Mrs. Griffiths walked upstairs, and heard scuffling. She called out, “What’s the matter, Mr. Cox?” but received the reply. “Mind your own business.” This upset her. She sat down- for a good time in the kitchen. Mrs. Cox seemed to bo crying, and walked up and down. Mrs. Griffiths heard sounds as of fighting. She said, “FU call the police,” and Mrs. Cox said, “I’m boss here; you won’t'.” Soon afterwards Mrs. Cox said “He’s done,” and returned to the kitchen. She again threatened to call the police, hut Mrs. Cox said, Mo, for God’s sake, say nothing about it. Albert has not gone yet. Mrs. Griffiths also stated that during the past four mouths,- Hay, who ,is a blacksmith's laborer, visited Cox/s shop daily, and she believed that Cox, who was a very inoffensive man, became jealous.