THE UNSIGNED WILL.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 September 1919, Page 2

THE UNSIGNED WILL.

' .DO(‘r'l.‘O.R’S ECUSE FOR BRUTAL I CRIME. t By the nstuteness of American (10ltectives, the plausible story of -at Long Island malefaetor ‘has been robbed of V all semblance of credibility, and he himself has been found guilty of the brutal ‘murder of his wife. The case has ; aroused widespread I'l‘l‘F'e'i'est. in the district, Where the convicted man, Dl‘. Wilkins, was a prominent and respected citizen. _ ’ ‘ The facts -of the case are these:—— On the night of February 27th the body of Mrs Wilkins, covered with bruises, was found in the road near her home, and Dr. Wilkins’ sensational story was that while returning home he and his wife were surprised in the house by robbers, who slew Mrs Wilkins and attacked him_ The curiosity of the police was excited ‘By various discrepancies in Dr. Wilkiiis’ story. He said that he was knocked on the head, but While his hat was badly smashed there was no sign of any scar. He also informed the police that he saw robbers l drinking at a table in the house, but! when the police examined the glasses on the table they were found to be eoverd with dust. ‘

[ when Mrs Wilkins’ body was found, her hair was hanging down. Dr. Wilkins suggesaed that this was due to a {struggle with robbers. No hairpins, \h'owevel', were found near the body, though some were found by detectives in the dining room. This Caused the detectives to believe that Mrs Wilkins took down her hair in the house. and that She afterwards ran from the house [and was murdered in the yard. One witness said he heard Mrs Wilkins I murmer, “Don’t hurt me,” just before i she (lied. This, it was argued, confirmed the theory that Dr. Wilkins and his wife quarrelled inside the house. and é that he pursued her outside and struck the fatal blows with a. hammer. . Dr. Wilkins suddenly disappeal'ed 'three weeks afitier hfis wife’:s death. lHe‘u'as identified by a newspaper re-r porter a few days later, despite. the‘ fact that he had shavé'd his beard, and was arrested. He telegraphed to the Public Prosecutor saying that he had heard that a warrant had been issued, and was returning to surrender himself when he was arrested. ‘Mrs Wilkins was his third Wife, and he her second husband. She left a will bequeathing to other persons all the fortune left. by 1 her first husband,‘ and leaving Dr. Wilkins nothing. The doctor unearthed another will leaving him everything, but when it was examined it was found not to be signed