CALLOUS MURDERER SEEKS TO CHANGE PLEA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 598, 26 February 1929, Page 9

CALLOUS MURDERER SEEKS TO CHANGE PLEA

STRANGLED MOTHER OF HIS FIANCEE AND CONFESSED

(Unitea F A —By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 11.25 a.m. LONDON, Monday. Joseph Clark, who on February 4 pleaded guilty to strangling his fiancee,’s mother, withdrew his plea and appealed. His counsel pointed out that the only evidence was his own confession. The appeal was dismissed. Clark said that as soon as he recovered his head, he tried to lift the woman and let her breathe; but he had not the strength. The court pointed out that Clark, directly after the deed, tried to kill the daughter in the same way.

Sentence of death was passed upon JJoSeph Clark, aged 21, an electrical engineer, on February 4. four and ahalf minutes after he had been charged with strangling Mrs. Fontaine, mother of liis iiancee, on October 20.

Accused had entered the dock with his hands in his pockets and had pleaded guilty. Air. Justice Finlay twice warned him what the effect of such plea would

Afetr Clark had been sentenced he said curtly: ‘’Thank you, my Lord.” and left the dock. He appeared to be quite unmoved.

The condemned man has had a remarkable career and is a brilliant scholar. A year ago he returned from America, where he had attended a University. On his arrival in England he said he did not intend to work as he had found he could hynotise girls. Clark carried out his plan so successfully that he was being furnished with money by a girl in Nova Scotia and another one in England. He wrote appealing letters to both girls saying he was ill in bed. whereas he was really carrying on flirtations with scores of other The letters referred to were splendidly phrased and contained verses which revealed the writer’s poetic fancy. It is stated that the man was on the most friendly terms with more than 100 girls in the Midlands.