LONDON TAXI-CAB MURDER.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17815, 14 July 1923, Page 13

LONDON TAXI-CAB MURDER.

» —~- QASE FOR THE DEFENCE. > (S3 CABLE—PRESS ASBOCIATIOU— ', lAVBT&ALIAN AMD N.Z. (Eeooived July 13th, 11.30 p.m.) % LONDON, July 12. At the trial of Alexander Campbell Mason, wlio is charged with the" murder of a taxi-cab driver, the defeat)* took the form, of accusing Viviaa at being the murderer. Counsel for the' defence alleged that Vivian was in the taxi with Maßon, and fired thej shot which killed Dickey. Cross-examined, Vivian admitted that the only work ho had done this yeas' • was in serving a sentence of fifteen months passed on him in January, 1921, for breaking into a flat armed with a revolver. Ho said Mason de- * • liberately planted cartridges i» M* , bouse on the morning after the tout* * der. Witness was in bod Buffering from poisoning, due to eating bad "gar- < , dines at the time of the murder. Counsel for the defence said Vivian''* illness was faked. Vivian had at- ' ranged to meet Mason ,at Brixton. J While waiting there MbW saw • & scuffle between Vivian and Dickey. Ho *' Heard shots, and ran away. h&tot * lie Vivian to got away. The hearing was adjourned. -' [Sir Bichard Muir, ia opening th 9 "\ case in May against Alexander Oamp.' . bell Mason, who is charged with 'aw . ■ murder of a taxi-cab driver, 4acOi> , - Dickie, said that Maaon had made la < [ statement to a pal named Vivian. Ho i a declared that he was without money^ 1 and had a good mind to get a ta», ,f and take the driver'b money, if on*!'* was insufficient he would take half" J a dozen, Vivian gave him money, and ' told him not to tie a fool. Two daya ;, later Mason called on Vivian and top* . away the jemmy and torch stock, which , were afterwards found at < the Veens, - f of the murder. On the following morn*; - ing Vivian 'saw Mason, who, ue ftV " . ieged, said, '* I mada a terrible mesa „ of things. I shot the taxi-driver. He struggled with mo, and 1 shot hint seven times. If I had bhot him tow '\ and got the money I would have done another one. there will be the rope for me all right, but I do not caM so long as you bring me plenty to eat. It is not the first time I have Shot ' anyone. I did one in on the other r t side" (meaning America or Canada.)!