WOMAN SHOOTS WOMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 11

WOMAN SHOOTS WOMAN

QUARREL OF FORMER FRIENDS Five years ago- Mrs. Mary Moore and Mrs. Catherine Barrett, intimate friends occupying flats in the same fashionable West Side apartment house in New York, quarrelled. Their animosity steadily increased, led by their outspoken criticism of each other to neighbours.

Recently Mrs. Moore boarded the lift at the fourth floor. The lift stopped at the third, Mrs. Barrett entered, and Mrs. Moore ordered the attendant to “Take that woman down and then return for me.” Before Mrs. Moore could leave the lift Mrs. Barrett drew a pistol from her handbag and fired three shots, one of which pierced Mrs. Moore’s heart causing instant death. Mrs. Barrv •: then calmly returned to her flat. When arrested she showed little concern.

From the dead woman’s husband and neighbours the police traced the feud back to the lime when Mrs. Moore engaged Anthony Barrett, the late husband of her murderer, to represent her in litigation over the estate of Mr. Charles Spang, a steel manufacturer, in one of whose wills Mrs. Moore was given £240,000. It had been agreed that Mr. Barrett, who was engaged through the friendship between the families, should receive half of what was obtained. He died before the litigation was completed, but when a settlement was reached Mrs. Moore gave Airs. Barrett half the proceeds. The latter contended that a larger sum was due, and the quarrel, which culminated in the murder, began.