A GRIM TALE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 36, 10 February 1906, Page 13

A GRIM TALE.

MURDERER TELLS OF TTTS FAREWELL KISS- j A man named Smith, on trial for wife murder, went into the witness box at I.eeds Assizes and made a grimly realistic statement of the crime. The woman has been living apart from her husband, and entered tbe service of a gentleman at a mansion near Ilkley. Smith paid her a surprise visit during tbe absence of the family, and b*r dead body, covered with wounds, was afterwards found In the kitchen. Sm ! th told tb» Court that a quarrel occurred, and during the struggle he used a penknife and his wife a piece of wood. "After she was wounded I stay ed with her unfl tbe finish. I kissed her as she lay on the floor, and she kissed mc I got on my knees and lifted her out of the blood, and put her where she was found. She was not quite dead then. I left soon after." Mr Justice Jelf—Had she any means of defending herself? Smith — Yes, certainly. The Judge — What? Smith — Her hands. The Judge — Is that all? No Ehife? Smith—l don't think she had. She started the bother. (Hisses in court.) Counsel—Was she on the ground when you inflicted this terrible blow? Smith—No. I think she stood up. When she was on the ground I struck her. The accused was found guilty, and the judge, in passing sentence of dealh, paid !t was one of the moat brutal, murders it -tad eye? Seen, hit Jot to or even, hear mA.