IN FOR LIFE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 88, 18 August 1913, Page 5

IN FOR LIFE.

THE LANE COVE TRAGEDY. DEATH SENTENCE t OMMUTEP. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] (Received 9.55 a.m.) . Sydney, August IS. The death sentence on William George Wright, for the murder of Myrtle Stella Caldwell, has been commuted to imprisonment for life. The report of three medical experts stated that though Wright was fa: from insane, he was of somewhat unstable mentality. .

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUIRY

On 29th April, the Sydney City Coroner [jeid an inquiry concerning the death of Myrtle Stella Caldwell, aged 22, which took place in the Sydney Hospital on February 10. Wright, who had been arrested and charged with the murder was present in court. Di\ Frizell gave evidence as to the admission of deceased to the Sydney Hospital on February 13. She had a bullet wound on the right side of the head, and was unconscious. She die two days later from the effects'of the wound.

David Caldwell, father of deceased stated that when he arrived home at about 6 p.m. on February 13, his wit.* told him that deceased had gone with Wright to look over the boat on which lie was going away. About 11 p.m. vvitness saw Wright pass the house, and called out to him, but he did not take any notice. Later he went with the police to a house in Foster-street, Leichhardt, where Wright was living. At the gate he heard a thud like someone falling, and on going into th< dining-room saw Wright lying on the floor crying out about his head. Witness said, "Where did you lean Myrt?" Ho said, "I left her down in George-street; she's all right, God bless her." Witness heard shortly afterwards that his deaughter had bee,; taken to the Sydney Hospital, and saw her there about 3.30 next morning Witness's daughter had kept compam with Wright for six or seven months. He believed she told Wright several times she had no intention of getting married.

Albert Hyde, residing at Burns' Bay. road, Longueville, stated that at about 8.40 p.m. ou February 13 he was going down to the Lane Cove River, am, and when passing a weather-shed on Burns' Pay-road, near Fig Tree Bridge, he heard.moans coming from the shed: He; went in and saw a woman lying on the Moor; there ,vas some blood on he: clothes and on the floor. A messag. was sent to the police, who came shortly afterwards.

Constable Warwick, of Leichhardt, gave evidence concerning the finding Of Wright at his residence lying oi. the floor. In reply to questions as to where the young woman was, Wright's only reply was, "I left her in Georgestreet." At the hospital witness sai.. to Wright, "Myrtle has been found with a bullet wound in her head, anu is now probably dead." Wright said. '•Dead, dead, dead!" Witness asked him if die shot her, and he made no reply. Constable Wickes stated that on February 16 he was on duty at. tin Prince Alfred Hospital, in charjs'oi Wright, who was then under arrest. He said to witness, "Where is Myrt?" Witness replied, "She is not here: what have you done with her " After wards he said, "They tried to make things very uncomfortable for m?, sc f made up my mind to make it uncomfortable for them. I took her down the harbor, and then we went up thr Lane Cove River and sat in a shed. I kissed and cuddled her and then squeezed her tight with one arm. 1 then tried to choke her, and when she was unconscious I put a bullet in her brain. I then walked to the wharf and caught a boat and came home and put a bullet in my own brain. I am sorry I did it to her, but not to myself,"