WILLIAMS TRAGEDY.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1924, Page 1

WILLIAMS TRAGEDY.

THE MAN’S CONFESSION. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SYDNEY, March 20. The trial of Williams on tlie charge of murdering his three children at Paddington on February 6th., opened today before a crowded Court. Williams, in ail impassioned statement, from the dock said that when he committed the crime he did not expect, nor di 1 he attempt to escape punish’ ment. A plea of insanity had been raised against his wishes. He did not plead he was insane. He told a pathetic story of how his wife had. been in an asylum for over two years,

and the whole responsibility for the children fell on him. Ho had to feed and clothe them, including their school

holiday lime, when the lot of a music teacher was a hard, lean one. He had fed and clothed them, blit had starved himself. He had one meal daily, very often lmviiig his breakfast at 9 at night. His suits were second hand, and had never cost more than 255. Ho referred to the unsatisfactory arrangements for the care of the children when he was awav teachintg. and to a suggestion by relatives living in the house that he should send them to an insitiition. This suggestion, and the fact that lie had no one to look after them, and could not neglect his pupils, and thereby sacrifice his earnings, had decided to do what he did. Ho reiterated that he was not insane, and did not- want to escape the consequences of his crime by pleading insanity. He said that if the girls went to an institution, they would be separated, and when they came out, they would be the tools of the first smooth-tongued person who came along. Ho called attention to the fact that the eldest girl had certain facial characteristics similar to her mother, and he feared these might similarly lead to her developing insanity. He could not kill her and leave the two others. Therefor, he decided to murder all three. He added: “I say ‘murder’ because it was murder. AVhen I did it, T pictured them as happy in Heaven. They went to (hid with untarnished souls. He was not callous, because, when ho killed them, ho loved them intensely. Ho covered the bodies so that he would not see them again. At seven o'clock Williams stated, lie went to Mass, and asked God to pardon him for what lie had clone. He claimed his act was one of great love, lie decided not to give himself up till Monday, so as to learn that the children had been properly buried. Williams concluded: “T seek neither favour, nor mercy—only justice. 11 1 am to be hanged, let me he hanged.” He urged the jury to take no notice of the plea of insanity. _ “I do not raise it,” he said. “As to being temporary insane. T cannot say myself.” Williams at times was deeply affected and wept. The Judge, in summing up, said that Williams’ evidence showed that lie knew what he was doing, and the punishment involved. It was no excuse to sav lie was doing the children kindness by killing them. VERDICT OF HFI FT V. SYDNEY. March 20. The jury found Williams guilty, with a strong recommendation fto mercy. The Judge, addressing the prisoner, said that the motive which he put forward for killing liis childen was one which might appeal to tlie sentiments of some, but one which would not in anv way be considered in his ease. The judge then passed the sentence of death. He added that he could not hold out any hope that the sentence would be commuted, because oi the jury’s reconimendati on.