BONATI MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1927, Page 3

BONATI MURDER

ROBINSON’S CONFESSION

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association

(Received this day at 11.0 a.in.)

LONDON, June 2

There were remarkable scenes at the Westminster Court when Robinson was charged with Bomtti’s murder. Women and girls fought for admittance. At the outset the defending counsel, Mr Vine, objected to the admission of an alleged confession. He declared, something improper, amounting to iii(Juecmeiraj had happened in the course of half an hour that Robinson was in the sitting room in Scotland Yard with Sorgt. Clarke. The Prosecuting Counsel offered to call Clarke whereupon Vine lengthily questioned the latter anent tho-conver-satiem in the waiting room. Clarke denied saying to Robinson: “You are in serious position hut Ido not believe you did it. I do not think you would do such a thing. You have seen Spilbury’s theory, you ought to tell tis all about it. I will he your pal if you justify yourself and can tell that the woman died from heart failure.” Vine declared Robinson would say on oath that this conversation occurred.

The Magistrate ruled the admissabilitv of the statement. This showed that Robinson met the woman in the street. She suggested that she accompany him and they went to the office where she said she was hard up and asked for a pound. Rohinson refused, became abusive, lost his temper, and Struck her face. She fell, striking lier head. He left her lying there and went home. Returning the following day, lie was surprised that she was still lying there. Not knowing what to do he decided to cut her body up. He bought paper, string and a chef’s knife and finished it ns quickly as possible, wrapped it up and left the office. He had a drink, met his wife and went home. Next day he faced the difficulty of disposing of the body. He went to Brixton, bought a trunk, packed in the remains, went to a hotel and met a friend, and asked him to help him with the trunk downstairs. He took a taxi to Charing Cross and deposited it. If he had not done so it would have been a life-long nuisance to him.

A typist, formerly iu Robinson's employ, gave evidence that a duster, wrapped round the remains was one used by her in Robinson’s Office.