CURIOUS MURDER TRIAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17977, 24 March 1930, Page 7

CURIOUS MURDER TRIAL.

A CAREER OF CRIME. “ EXTREAIELY AIUDDY WATER.” United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel.—Copyright. LONDON, Alarch 22. The passing of the death sentence in the Fox case closes one of the most curious murder trials in recent years. Airs Fox's body was buried after an inquest at which the- verdict was to the effect that her death had been the result of misadventure. Apparently everybody was satisfied that it was an accident. Deceased's son was awaiting receipt of the £3OOO insurance on his mother's life when a former Scotland Yard detective employed by the insurance company became impressed by certain curious features in the policies, also by the circumstances of the fire. The officer went quietly t ii Alargate to investigate. Practically everything that was in the room at the time of the murder had been removed to a rubbish tip. This was searched diligently until every article had been recovered. The detective’s investigations caused him to telegraph to the head office of his company : “ Extremely muddy water in this business.” The message caused the company to lay the facts concerning the fire and the insurance before Scotland Yard. Investigations also showed that the very company which issued the policy had previously paid Fox £8 for an overcoat alleged to have been lost from the cloakroom in the hotel. Fox was arrested and held in gaol on a charge of not paying his hotel bills throughout a lengthy period. Simultaneously with the sentence comes the news that Fox was convicted of forgery and the theft of jewels 10 years ago. On one occasion, under the alias of Owen Smythe, Fox posed an an old Etonian and boasted that he could stay without paying at any hotel in England, lie did so on numerous occasions. Invariably Fox deposited a sealed packet, the contents of which he declared to he valuable, in the hotel safe. This and his pleasant, confidential manner and clever stories disarmed the suspicion of the various managers.