ARMSTRONG MURDER CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 89, 15 April 1922, Page 7

ARMSTRONG MURDER CASE.

DEATH SENTENCE PASSED. A REMARKABLE TRIAL. LONDON., April 14. Sentence of death has been passed on 11. R. Armstrong, a Welsh solicitor, on ' a charge of murdering bis wife, who died in February, 1021, from poisoning by | arsenic. Medical experts who gave evidence for ' the defence expressed the opinion that | Mrs. Armstrong died from the effects of | a big dose of arsenic taken six days i before her death. i Mr. Curtis Bennett, in his final speech for the defence, emphasised that deceased had just been released from a mental hospital, and suffered from delusions. There could be no doubt she committed suicide. Mr. Justice Darling, in summing up, said the case was probably the most remarkable in living memory. He emphasised the value of circumstantial evidence provided it was good. Regarding the • ! suggestion that the woman committed , suicide, he asked the jury to consider if ! she would have said just before she died, I"I am not going to die, am 1?" if she I had taken arsenic herself. The jury was away three-quarters of an ; hour. When they returned. Armstrong j replied that he had nothing further to I say. He stood rigidly at attention while j the judge said he agreed with the verdict. : and passed sentence. Armstrong went. 'to the cells without aid. preserving the : same cool and collected demeanour which J he exhibited during his long cross-exami-nation. Notice of appeal was given.— iA. and N.Z. Cable, i '.'- !