GRUESOME STORY OF A MIDNIGHT MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 69, 11 March 1908, Page 4

GRUESOME STORY OF A MIDNIGHT MURDER.

3-iord William Russell, a brother of the Duke of licdforeTj was, on the morning of May li. 18-M. found murdered in his iK'droom at 14, Norfolk Street. Park Ijane, Ijondon. Ho was then in his Tflrd year, and had only with him tno women servants and a Swiss valet limned CourvoUer. Suspicion fell on ihc last-named-, and lie .was convicted on the clearest evidence. From the confession which the murderer made, after finding his case was hopeless, it appeared that, in the middle of the night, when all had retired to rest. Lord William, feeling indisposed, dressed himself and went downstairs. He there found the valet busy packing up valuables, apparently with intent to carry them away, lie taxed him witli the crime, and. telling C'ourvoisier that he should In? discharged in the morning, returned to bed. The valet continued. "My character was gone, and I thought murdering him was the only way to cover my faults. I went into the dining-room and took a carving-knife from the sideboard. On going upstairs. I opened his door, and heard him snoring. There was a rushlight burning in the room. I went noar (lie bed by the side of the -window, and then 1 killed him. He just moved his arm a little, and never spoke a word. T took a towel which was on the chair, wiped my band and the knife, adu then went to bed." The murderer was executed at the Old Bailey on July (!.