SHOCKING WIFE MURDER NEAR LICHFIELD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

SHOCKING WIFE MURDER NEAR LICHFIELD.

DEATH OF THE MURDERER

A terrible murder was committed at the small hamlet of Woodhouses, in the vicinity of Lichfield, England, on February 2S. It is alleged that a man named Richard Green, a blacksmith, hacked his wife to death with a knife, and afterwards made off to Lichfield. About three months ago the wife, Emily Green, obtained a separation from her husband, who was ordered to contribute 10/ per week towards the maintenance of his wife and three children. The man, however, paid the money very irregularly, and further i 3 stated to have been in the habit of annoying and assaulting the woman. She accordingly took proceedings against him lor arrears and assault, and he was arrested at Polesworth on the Saturday before the crime was committed. On Monday he was brought before the Mayor at Lichfleld and remanded on his own recognisances to Brownhills Petty Sessions. He seems to have then returned to the .neighbourhood of his home and to have slept out. About eight the following morning he went to his wife's house, and an altercation took place, whereupon, it is stated, the man seized a knife with which he hacked the woman's head until she was dead. He afterwards decamped, and an hour later gave himself up to the Lichfield police. In the meantime deceased's eldest son had communicated with the Burntwood police.

Green died the same night at the police station. Throughout the day he was continually retching, and was visited by the police surgeon who prescribed for him. A constant watch on the prisoner, moreover, was maintained, and the accused stated to the constable on duty that he was trying to die as quickly as he could. At this time he was lying on his back with his arms crossed on his chest, and within five minutes he had ceased to breathe. Green had previously attempted suicide by strangulation, and it is conjectured that he either took poison or swallowed something to produce internal injuries.