CHARGED WITH MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1922, Page 3

CHARGED WITH MURDER.

AMAZING ENGLISH TRIAL. A TRAGIC EPISODE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London. December 6. Amazing scenes marked the commencement of the trial of By waters and Mrs Thomson at the Old Bailey. Two women, who reached the court of jour o’clock in the morning, led, and a long queue of more people than could be accommodoted had gathered at eight o’clock. Later, a big crowd besieged the main entrance, and another awaited the arrival of the prison van. The queue which contained as manymen as women, included girls in their teens and grey-headed women. Mr. Inskip led for the prosecution. The jury included one woman. me Judge ruled that letter to which the defence objected were admissible.

Counsel, commenting on the letters in the Thompson murder, described Mrs. Thompson as the dominant partner in the crime. Bywaters’ was the hand that struck the blow, but she conceived the crime. (Mrs. Thomson was, friendly with Bywaters, a ship’s steward, and it is alleged attempted to poison her husband, who was stabbed to death in the street, probably by By waters.) ACCUSED'S MOTHER BREAKS DOWN. Received Dec. 7, 8.35 p.m. London, Dec. 6. A tragic episode occurred at the Ilford trial. The evidence of Mrs. Bywaters regarding her son’s movements on the night of the murder ended in her crying out: “He is one of the best sons a mother ever had.” Mrs. Thomson broke down several times, but Bywater is a vigorous youth of fearless demeanour, having a. complete mastery of his emotions? The woman juror was locked <up in a city hotel with a special woman bailiff. This is- the first time a woman juror has been locked up for the night.