A MURDER TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1922, Page 5

A MURDER TRIAL.

STRANGE LONDON CASE. MAN STABBED IN STREET. WIFE AND FRIEND CHARGED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dee. 10, 5.5 p.m. London, Dee. 9. Public interest is maintained in the Ilford case. A queue commenced to form at 9 o’clock on Friday night, and by three o’clock in the morning there were sufficient to fill the public gallery of the Old Bailey to overflowing. A man sold his place in the queue for 60s. The case is one in which Frederick Bywaters, a ship’s steward, aged 20, and Mrs. Edith Thompson, aged 27, are charged with conspiracy and murder. It is alleged that Bywaters murdered the woman’s husband, Percy Thompson, who was a shipping clerk, at Ilford, on October 4. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson had been to a theatre, and were returning home when the husband was fatally stabbed in the street near hie home.

Bywaters’ continued evidence denied any agreement with Mrs. Thompson with reference to the latter’s husband, beyond getting a separation and divorce. Ho bought the sheath-knife in ’.915, and carried it at home and abroad. He lunched with Mrs. Thompson on the day of the murder and arranged to meet her next day. After leaving a friend’s place that night he suddenly decided to try to see the Thompsons in order to arrive at an amicable understanding about a divorce. By waters continued that when he reached Ilford he saw the Thompsons walking, and overtook them. He pushed Mrs. Thompson away, seized the back of Thompson's coat, swung him round and said: “Why don’t you get a divorce or separation if you ean?” Thompson replied: “I know that is what you want. I shan’t do it. It would make it too pleasant for both of you.” THE FATAL STRUGGLE. Witness said: “You take delight in making lEdie’s life a hell.” Thompson replied: “I’ve got her and will keep her. I’ll shoot you. ’ He struck witness, then put hi«s hand to his pocket.

Witness drew his knife in self-defence and plunged it into his arm. They struggled, and Bywaters thought Thompson would kill him. He could not explain the wounds in Thompson's back and neck. He understood Mrs. Thompson would get a divorce by providing the necessary evidence, but her husband would not accept it. Mrs. Thompson’s letters referring to the poisons meant she was trying to commit suicide. He never suggested murdering Thompson. Mrs Thompson, who wa* assisted into the box, gave evidence in broken, almost inaudible tones. She described the happy days of her married life, which were followed by constant difficulties and trouble. They discussed separation and divorce before she met Bywaters. She denied that she ever possessed poison or administered, poison to her hubband, or put ground glass in his food. The cross-examination of Mrs. Thompson was continued. She affirmei that though she deceived Bywaters, she never had any intention to poison her husband. She left 4he box weeping bitterly.

The Solicitor-General pressed Mrs.* Thompson to say what it was she wanted Bywaters to bring her to give to her husband. Was it something to poison him ? The prisoner replied: No, but to make him ill. The judge: Was it not suggested you should give him something in his food? Prisoner (calmly): It was something to take when he had a heart attack and he would not be able to resist it. The reply caused a sensation. WHAT THE WIFE MEANT. Witness added that after the scuffle she heard someone run away, hffie recognised Bywaters’ hat and coat. She admitted she made false statements to the police owing to agitation. She wished to shield Bywaters, not wishing his name to be connected with* hers. She did not know her husband was aeaa at the time.

Mrs. Thompson continued that she might have said she would give her husband something one of these days. She admitted she discussed with Bywaters making her husband ill, but she did not mean anything when she wrote: “Darling, you must do something.” She meant Bywaters must either find her a situation or she would go away with him. Statements in a letter about the husband complaining that the tea tasted bitter and references to ground glass were all imaginary. . She wrote Bywaters anything in the hope of retaining his affections. She offered to provide her husband with information necessary for a divorce, but he would not consent. Her inquiries about ptomaine poisoning were merely idle curiosity. APPEAL BY COUNSEL. ' Mr. Cecil Whiteley, in his closing speech on behalf of By waters, admitted llthat By waters allowed himself to drift into a dishonorable intrigue, but he was no murderer. He asked the jury to say be was not guilty, either because it was a case of excusable homicide or one of manslaughter. Mr. Whiteley stated he had been instructed to say nothing on behalf of Bywaters which would hamper the defence of Mrs. Thompson. At the luncheon adjournment Mrs. Thompson was carried from the dock fainting, while her mother also fell in a dead faint and had to be carried out. Sir H. Curtiss Bennett, on behalf of Mrs. Thompson, told the jury: “It is not ordinary people you are trying. You have to get into the atmosphere of the play or opera. Mrs. Thompson w a woman who lives in melodrama.” Sir H. Curtis Bennett added: “The woman prisonei is one of the most extraordinary personalities you or I ever met. She is eight years older than the man. The co-reepondent seemed to show that he was prepared to go to any extreme to keep his love, but in reality he was not prepared to do anything. The letters were simply the outpouring of an hysterical, melodramatic Jirain.” I Both Mr. Whitehy and Sir H. Curtiss Bennett complained about two people being charged with murder together. The judge explained that if two people conspire to murder both are , guilty, although one was not present when the murder was committed. Sir H. Curtiss Bennett’s speech wad '

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