ST. JOHN'S WOOD TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 142, 17 June 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

ST. JOHN'S WOOD TRAGEDY.

AGED WIFE FOUND MURDERED IN

HER ROOM.

A domestic tragedy was discovered on the afternoon of April 24 at a print and bookseller's shop at 61, High-street, Portland Town, London (a neighbourhood adjoining the Lord's Cricket Ground).

The shop is kept by a foreigner named Rieck, who lets out the tenements above. Mary Palmer, the victim of the crime, was about 60 years of age, and with her husband, a decrepit old ■ man, occupied the top back room of the bookseller's house, for which they have falleli for three months to pay the modest rental of 3/ a week.

Mary Palmer had not been seen by' tha other lodgers or the landlord since Sunday, April 16, when at 10 o'clock in the morning she went into the street and sought the assistance of a constable against her husband.

As the officer left the woman remarked, 'If the police do not take him away the iinish will be that he will be hung.'

At 4 o'clock on the following Sunday morning the disturbance was renewed. Palmer, it is said, then acted like a maniac. It was not, however, until 3 a.m. on the Monday that the occupants of. the house were disturbed by groans proceeding from Palmer's room, mingled with blows and the exclamation, 'Oh, don't!' There was also noise in the room as of a bedstead being dragged about.

The noise subsided, and the incident passed unnoticed until 2 o'clock on the Monday afternoon, when Mr Carter, an upholsterer, of 91, High-street, Portland Town, called upon the Palmers.

The fire grate had been removed from its usual position and tossed into anotherpart of the room, while an attempt had also been made to remove the bed from its customary place to a spot near the door.

Lying dead on the floor was the aged wife with dreadful Injuries to her head

and face

The husband was taken to the Newstreet police station and detained. It is expected that he will be brought up at Marylebone.

The accused met with an accident some time ago, in consequence of which he was detained in hospital, and since then he has been very strange in his behaviour.

At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of 'Wilful murder' against the husband .adding a rider to the effect _that they were of opinion that the accused was not responsible for his action, he being of unsound mind..