TRAGEDY OF PAIN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 10

TRAGEDY OF PAIN

DEVOTED MOTHER’S DRAMATIC CONFESSION. STRANGLED WITH A ROPE. WOMAN CHARGED WITH WILFUL MURDER. LONDON, January 12. A sensational tragedy, in which it is alleged that a mother strangled her thirteen-year-old daughter with a piece of rope, has been disclosed at Holloway. The woman was arrested, and in the course of a dramatic confession said she put the rope round her child s neck “to put her out of her misery ’ v while she was suffering from the effects of a fit. The accused, whose name was given on the charge sheet as Edith Wood, was subsequently brought up at Clerkenwell Police Court, where she was charged on her own confession with wilfully killing and slaying her daughter, Ethel Harriet Wood, aged thirteen, by strangling her - with a piece of rope. The prisoner, a sad-lookmg woman, was led to the dock and accommodated with a seat. She was in a dazed condition. . . Detective Inspector ffou, 1 division, said that at noon that day he saw the body of Ethel Harriet Wood, aged thirteen, lying on a bed at No., lor, Widdeuham road,' The face was discoloured. She was dead. There was a slight mark ou the left side of the face and a mark round the neck. Witness went to Caledonian road police station' and saw the piisouor and told her he would have to charge her witu the murder of her daugater. He cautioned her, and she said, les, I know. I don’t know what made me do it. She had a fit and was so baa I took a cord and ; tied it round her neck to put her out of her misery, t have been much worried about her lately.” Asked if she had anything to say, the poor woman could only shake her head. In remanding her, tne magistrate directed her removal in a cab. , , , A patnetic story of the tragedy was told at the inquest held by the Islington coroner, at which the jury returned a verdict of “ Wilful murder, adding a rider that the _ state of the woman’s mind should bo inquired into. The father, William Charles Wood, who was the first witness called, burst into tears on entering the witness-box. His daughter, he said, whoso real name was Janowski, had suffered from epileptic fits from birth. Last November they had the deceased examined by Sir Victor Horsley, and an operation was performed last April. She had been under permanent medical treatment. The , last time he saw the child alive was on Saturday last. She had been queer, and he kissed her in bed. Later on in the morning, from what he had heard, he rushed home in a cab. At this stage the coroner stated that ho had a telegram from the governor of Holloway Prison stating that the mother did not wish to attend. Mr Ricketts, who appeared for the mother, said she was not in a fit condition to appear, nor would ho have advised her to do so. A DEVOTED MOTHER. The father, in answer to counsel, said the mother, had neglected everything to look after the deceased child, whom she never left. During the last two months the deceased had had fits more frequently than before the operation, although they had been told that after the operation the girl would have no more. The fact that she still had fits seemed to distress the mother more than ever, and the strain had told considerably on her. On Thursday last he fetched the doctor for her. During the fits the deceased became paralysed on one side; she was “ drawn up ” and her face was distorted. Emma Creep, a daily general servant, said that her mistress went out during the morning, and remarked to her “ God has silenced her lips for ever.” She was not, however, certain of the exact words. Sergeant Hntley said he was on duty at the Caledonian road police station on Saturday at 10.33 a.m., when a woman, who gave her name as Edith Wood, came to the station, and said, “I want to give myself up.” The witness asked why, and she replied: For murder—for strangling my little girl this morning. The child had a fit. and I could not get her out of it, so I strangled her with a piece of rope. The witness asked the woman if there was anybody in the house, and she replied, “Only the maid, but I hope she won’t find her.” In the charge-room the woman remarked: I hope God will forgive me for what I have done. I havo had several sleepless nights from noises in the hoad and ears. I do not know why I did it. ROPE WOUND ROUND NECK. Sub-divisional Inspector Lynch said that, with a doctor, he found the deceased in a back bedroom covered with clothes. Round her neck he found a piece of rope (produced), which was tied three times round. There were no signs of a struggle, and there was no disorder in the room. Dr Josenh Wilson, of Caledonian road, said the rope was round the neck in the form of a slip knot and was then pulled twice tightly around. He attributed death to asphyxia as the result of strangulation. Arthur Neil, divisional inspector, stated that when Edith Janowski was charged with the murder of her daughter Ethel she replied, “Yes, I know. X don’t know what made me do it.” A piece of paper which the father gave him from the woman read, “I cannot bear cries any longer. God forgive me for what 1 have done.” The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of “Wilful murder,” as stated.