FAHMY BEY’S MURDER.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1923, Page 3

FAHMY BEY’S MURDER.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION -MADAME IX THE BOX. LOXDOX, Sept. 13. In connection wiih the trial of Madame Fa limy, a big crowd, began to form outside the Old Bailey at two in the morning and as high as £5 was offered for a seat owing to the fact that the accused was expected to testily. The judge ruled that the prosecution could only cross-examine her regarding her relations with her husband and not those with oilier men. Madame was composed on entering the box, but broke into fits of crying as the story of her miserable married file developed. Etch question and reply was translated into French as Madame is ignorant of English. She stated that she married, M. Laurent in 1919 and divorced him on the .grounds of desertion, receiving tliiriy-six thousand lin nes a year as an allowance. She met Ali Bey in August 19:22 when Ali Went to Egypt. In December she promised to follow. Marriage had been mentioned, but only casually.

The prisoner detailed many cruelties, including her husband oidcring bis black valet Hercules to disfigure her with acid, hike complained of Hercules entering her room while she was dressing, hut her husband refused to forbid it. On another occasion she was a prisoner aboard bis yacht and in charge of black men. At the Savoy her husband gave her bis revolver saying: “Commit suicide.” He also pointed it towards the open window, saying: “It is quite easy.”

Sir F. Marshall Hall then questioned prisoner logarding the pistol. She said that earlier in the evening, before the tragedy, she took the pistol from a drawer and tried to get out the cartridges. Her husband bad said he "ns going to kill her so she thought she would frighten him with it. She shook tbe pistol in front of the window, and it went off. Continuing she said:—“l thought the pistol was then harmless and placed it on a chair. After supper, during which my husband was in a violent temper. 1 came into the bedroom. My husband later came to the room in Ins night attire. 1 asked for money to go to Paris foi' an operation. My husband took me into his room and showed mo a bundle of notes and made a ce r tain suggestion and started to tear oil my dress. I went to the telephone to call somebody, but my husband snatched tbe receiver, struck me and spat in my face. I got to my room and sin. the pistol on the chair and took it up. My husband appeared at the door and I was very frightened. He kept saying. ,l I "ill revenge myself." Suddenly my husband seized me by the throat saying: ‘T "ill kill you.” His thumb was on my windpipe, but I pulled myself away. T believe f kicked him. He crouched to spring on me and I lifted my arm. Next thing I saw him on the floor and when I realised wlmt bad happened I was kneeling by his side saying: “Sweetheart it is nothing.’’ I was crushed, understood nothing, and asked people, around what had happened.

Sir I’ercival Clark’s first question was: ‘'Were you afraid that he was going to kill you that night.” Prisoner: “Yes. I was very frightened.”

Cress examined regarding her past, prisoner said that she met Ali on July 28th. 1!)22.. and first lived " itli him at Deauville on Aug. 11th. Was your father a cab-driver in Paris?

The Judge here intervened saying: AVliat's the good of enquiring into He lady’s ancestry.

Accused was still under cross-ex-amination when the case was adjourned and she was carried from the dock.