STRANGE MURDER CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 21 December 1907, Page 3

STRANGE MURDER CASE.

Saved by an Alibi.

He lied to save his Reputation.

London, Dec. 19. Ten thousand people assembled outside the Old Bailey acclaimed the acquittal of Robert Wood, a young artist, accused of the murder of Emily Dimmock at C-. medeu Town. An alibi was proved. Two witnesses testified that they saw Dimmock with a man who was not Wood, after midnight on the night of the crime. Wood’s relations testified that he slept at home, and a neighbour stated that he saw Wood enter his home towards midnight. Wescott, a railway man, testified that he himself was the man who McKowan (a carman) mistook in St Paul’s road towards 5 o’clock in the morning for the prisoner Wood enter his home towards midnight. Westcott, a railway man, testified that he himself was- the man who McKowan (a carman) mistook in St Paul’s road towards 5 o’clock iu the morning for the prisoner Wood, and testified that he had lied, not wishing to be dragged into the case, lest his friends should know that he associated with women like Dimmock. Mr Justice Grantham, in summing up, said it was the most remarkable criminal case of his time. There was no direct evidence against WoocjL who had led a double life, was untruthful, and had endeavoured to get others to lie for him. He had lied throughout, his conduct giving point to such evidence as there was against. ANOTHER UNSOLVED MYSTERY. Newspapers, iu their comments on the Wood-Dimmock case, are agreed on the utterly squalid aspects of the case. Interest was chiefly centred in the methods of detecting criminals. The prosecution, in this instance, was based on doubtful identification, and there was no suggestion of motive on the part of Wood for the murder. The Dailv Telegraph states the prosecution offered practically no evidence which was not adequately rebutted or did not emanate from people whose character was open to grave reproach. The paper adds that another unsolved mystery has been added to London’s disquietingly long list.