SENTENCED TO DEATH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 137, 22 March 1930, Page 5

SENTENCED TO DEATH

MURDER OF MOTHER. THE ROOM 6G TRAGEDY. MOST SENSATIONAL TRIAL. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.25 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 m Room 66 of the Hotel Metropole. The trial was the most sensational for years, the scene of the crime being reconstructed in Court, and expert witnesses giving evidence as to the eftects of strangulation on the victim. The case for the Crown was that fox insured his mother’s life for £3OOO a day before she was found dead in the hotel, and that lie strangled her and then set fire to the room. The Judge’s summing-up occupied two and a-quarter hours. Dealing with the conflict of medical testimony, he said it was impossible to offer the jury and assistance. It was a curious coincidence that the brittle bone inferred to by experts was unbroken, ft was a strong point in favour of Fox. It was unfortunate that the parts concerned could riot have been better preserved. His Honor referred to Fox’s extraordinary life, going from place to place without motley, and that declared the financial straits of accused had a very direct bearing on the case. The insurance policies were the kernel of the case. Fox journeyed to London to take out the policies when he had barely sufficient money to pay his fare. Undoubtedly if his mother died by accident before midnight on October 24 the position of Fox would have changed from despair and. difficulties to one of affluence.

The jury was absent 92 minutes. Asked if he had anything to say. Fox replied: “I never murdered my mother.” He reeled as he left the dock.