MURDER TRIAL IN A KINEMA.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1926, Page 3

MURDER TRIAL IN A KINEMA.

.MURDER TRIAL IN KIXKMA. LONDON, Feb. 12. In the only public hall in the village, a quaint Imx-like building, which, in the evenings, is used as a kincma. and ou certain days as a police court, Georg,.’ Sharpes, aged 20. was yesterday committed for trial at the Warwickshire Assizes by the Southall). Warwickshire magistrates on’a charge of hiTTing murdered Mrs AI illy Crabtree, aged 25, the wife of Mr A. C. Crabtree, a fanner, ol Manor Farm. Ladhroke. on January 13th.

The six magistrates sat before a green baize covered table iust below the screen on which the 'moving pictures are projected in the evenings, ami only a small space serving as the well of the court, where sat police and legal representatives, separated them from the kiir.'ina's piush-vovered seats filled with villagers. Counsel for the prosecution .stated that when in hospital with a throat wound. Sharpes wrote and signed a statement which amounted to a confes-

sion of the crime. ‘ W HY I MURDERED HER.” According to the statement read by counsel. Sharpes said lie wished to state “how and why I murd.'ieil the deceased.” and added that he struck her several blows while ho was working with a hammer in the house Afterwards lie attempted to end his own life by culling bis throat, and drinking camphorated nil. Counsel said that, there Hollowed certain statements as to why Sharpes said lie acted as lie did but which lie (counsel) must, omit from public reading. The statement, eontio.-ed : Although I did my best lor Mr Crabtree. | have newer got my right money. The wages I was gelling was ;_’7r Pd. and £1 of I hi-, went to pn\ lor on lodgings, leaving me with seven shillings to keep myself in clothes and tilings. I even had to save up two weeks to liny a wireless license. On several occasions Mrs Crahtr-ee fold the master tilings about me. ami lie would come and grumble at me If f had had the birch at the bogining all this would not have happened. T am not writing this to save my life, lint- to toll you the way T have been wronged. As stated Sharpes was committed for trial.