MURDERED MOTHER.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17976, 22 March 1930, Page 7

MURDERED MOTHER.

MYSTERY OF ROOM 66, FOX SENTENCED TO DEATH. PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCEUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel.—Copyright. (Received March 22, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. Sidney Harry Fox was- found guilty at the Old Bailey and sentenced to death for the murder of his mother in Room 00 of the Hotel Metropole. The trial was the most sensational for years. The. scene of the crime was reconstructed in Court, and expert witnesses gave evidence .as to the effects of strangulation on the victim. The Crown’s case was that Fox insured his mother’s life for £3OOO the day before she was found dead in the hotel, and that he strangled her and then set fire to the room. JUDGE’S SUMMING UP. (Received March 22, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. The Judge’s summing up in the “Room 66” case occupied 2} hours. Dealing with the conflict of medical testimony, he said it was impossible to offer the jury any assistance. It .was a curious coincidence that the brittle bone referred to by the experts was unbroken. It was a strong point in favour of Fox. It was unfortunate that the parts concerned could not have been better preserved.. He referred to Fox's extraordinary life in going from place to place without money, and declared that the financial straits of accused had a verydirect hearing on the case. The insurance policies were the kernel of the ease. Fox journeyed to London to take out policies when lie had barely sufficient money to pay his fare. Undoubtedly if his mother died by accident before midnight on October 23 Fox’s position would have changed from despair and difficulties to one of affluenceThe Sentence.

The jury was absent for 92 minutes, after whicli they returned with a verdict of guilty. Asked if he had anything to say, Fox replied: ‘T never murdered my mother.” He reeled as he left the dock.