FOUND MOTHER MURDERED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1231, 9 April 1914, Page 4

FOUND MOTHER MURDERED.

(Ji&T/S TERR j --i T, J* v STRUGGLE WITH HER LOVER. lu a little cottage on the outskirts of Ramsgate, an elderly woman was brutally murdered a few weeks ago, her alleged assailant being her daughter’s lover. The victim, Sarah Brochman, had apparently been unable to make a fight for her life, as, when she was found, she was lying on a bed with her hands tied together. The tragedy is attributed to jealousy. The victim’s daughter, a pretty girl of iq, had au awful experience. Mrs Brockman and her daughter lived together. For 18 months a labourer named William Herne Pitcher had been courting Miss Brockman, and was in the habit of calling at the hpuse. When Miss Brockman returned home from her work at a laundry at about 9. rs on the night of the tragedy, she was surprised to find the house in darkness and the front door locked. She knocked, but received uo reply, and then

went round to the back of the house, where she found the kitchen door unfastened. She entered, and called for her mother, when, in the darkness, she was suddenly seized by a man who had been hiding in the scullery. A shawl was flung over her head, and, to prevent her screaming, a piece of rag was stuffed into her mouth. A pillow was also thrown upon her. Then the assailant lit a lamp, and the girl says she recognised him as Pitcher. Pitcher next lied her hands together and flung her on a bed. It is alleged that he told her he had murdered her mother, and threatened that if she did not consent to run away with him he would murder her, tco. In order to gain a respite, the terrified girl pretended to fall in with his wishes. He then unbound her and went outside. The terrified girl went into a bedroom and found her mother lying dead in bed. Her hands were also tied and there were severe wounds on the head, caused by some heavy blunt instrument. Pitcher returned and under his compulsion Miss Brockman left the house with him. As soon as they were a little distance from the cottage Miss Brockman shook herself free from Pitcher’s grip, and ran to the nearest police station, where she related what had occurred. The police went at once to the cottage and found Mrs Brockman lying dead.

Pitcher, when Miss Brockman left him, appaiently rambled about the iaues iu the neighbourhood, and the police began a search for him. His own home was watched, as well as the house where the tragedy had taken place. About an hour later one of the constables engaged in the search saw loitering iu the neighbourhood of Mrs Brockman’s cottage a man whom he thought he recognised. He looked at him closely, and the man said: “I suppose you are looking for me ?’’ The officer’s suspicions were confirmed, and he arrested the man, who turned out to be Pitcher. He was taken to the police station and charged with murder. There was a dramatic scene the following day, when Pitcher was brought up in a crowded court at Ramsgate, Pitcher appeared unconcerned, but afterwards collapsed.

Chief-Inspector Paine described the finding of the body, and added that there was blood inside a woman’s bat found in the bouse, and also on the kitchen floor. Shortly after witness’s arrival prisoner was brought into the house. Witness said to him : “It is alleged you have killed an old lady here to-night, and it is a serious matter. I want you to understand that anything you say—” Prisoner interrupted him at Ibis point with the remark ; “There is nothing more to say ; I am guilty.” He also pointed to some pictures on the wall and said; “I suppose I shan’t make any more of them for her,”