MURDER CHARGE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20088, 18 November 1930, Page 15

MURDER CHARGE.

TOWNSEND ON TRIAL. YESTERDAY'S EVIDENCE. TB.IS> IsfIJCIATIOS TILEGPA it.,' >-EW PLYMOUTH, November 17. The trial of Alexander Townsend, a firm labourer, on a charge of murderhis wife, Oora Alice Townsend, at Fitzrov, early in the morning of Sep1, - 16! hj, was commenced before 'iSTchief Sir Michael Myors ' to-da^. Members of the household of Mrs -Tickers, at whose hou.<e Mrs Townsend staying for the night, after being disturbed several times during tho E :g) lt by the visits of a man, found y rg Townsend dead in a room, with tha almost severed from the body. Townsend was arrested later in the day at Osaero, north of Case for tiia Crown. Dealing with the facts of the case, Mr C. H. Weston, for the Crown, said ♦hit Townsend and Mrs Townsnui were Harried in August, 19i0>. Accused was 53 years of age, and his wife was 47 There were two children by the marriage, a girl, aged L 7, and a boy, died between the age ol two and tjiree. Mrs Townsend suffered from a deformity of the hands, having double club hand, but in spite of this lie was a clever needlewoman, and earned a certaiD income from the uso of the needle. The evidence would show that it was an unhappy marriage, jad that the unhappy state was not improved by accused 's personality. He ■jras a man who drank a good deal, and could carry his drink well. When in drink he had a bad temper. There was established in his mind a grudge against his wife, her father, and sister. In 1925 a separation order was mad? between accused and Mrs Townsend. Prior to this in 1921 there had been talk of a separation, but it was in 1925 that a deed was drawn up at Ham-

ilton. Under this accused was to pay £1 s week for the maintenance of the daughter until she was IS. Mrs Townsend came to >icw Plymouth to be near her relatives at Onaero. Evidence was given by numerous witnesses on the same lines as that given in tho Lower Court. Nurse's Evidence. Elsie Murray Petchell, a nurse, residing with Mrs Vickers, said that on the night of September 15th Mrs Townsend called at the home about ".15. Mrs Vickers left a few minutes iiefore Mrs Townsend arrived. About 20.15 Townsend came. He knocked on the front door and witness's niece, Elsie Vickers, opened it. He asked ior Mrs Townsend, who was in the titeb|i. Elsie told her and Mrs Townsend went to the front door. Mrs Townsend cnlled out and asked if she could put the light on in the sittingloom. but did not sav for what purpose. Accused and Mrs Townsend then rent into the sitting-room, witness remaining in the kitchen. Witness heard Townsend and Mrs Townsend arguing. They were talking in a loud tone. Witness went into the sitting-room. Townsend was standing in the middle of the room. Mrs Townsend seemed up«et. Witness asked Townsend what he wanted, and to get out. She opened the eitting-rooni door and the front door. Mr and Mrs Townsend came into -the hirlJ amj witness returned" to the kitchen. -Mrs Townsend came down to the kitchen a few minutes aftermuds, accused having gone. Soon Stewards Toivnsend came back and shortly afterwards Mrs Vickers came k The conversation between Townitod and Mrs Townsend was about their daughter, Jean. He asked if Jean was working, and was told she

km trying to secure work. A cup of coffee was given Townsend. Townsend wked Mrs Townsend to go away witli him. She refused, nnd he went away again, saying he would wait outside for her. He came back some time later and again asked his wife to go away with him. She refused, but as he rag leaving the said she wolild meet him next morning. Telephone Damaged. U wag arranged, continued witness, that Mrs Townsend should spend the night at Mrs Vickers'. She was to jleep in the sitting-room with witness. Neither undressed. A long time after they retired she heard two knocks at the baek door. She unlocked the door, bat nobody was there. Then came a knock at the french window. Witness opened the window and found Townwnd standing there. He asked if Mrs Townsend would go out with him. He tame inside, and Mrs Townsend told him it was too late to go out. She would go at daylight, and asked him to »it down till then. They resumed the wgoment about the daughter and noiwy. Witness left th- room, and Townsend asked where she was going. The couple followed witness into the passage. He asked where the telephone wai, and on being told he seized the receiver and smashed the cord from the instrument. Witness said she became alarmed at the change in Townsend's Jipmsion. He leaned towards Mrs Towmend, and his face was white and hi* teeth set. Witness became terrified ?f4 ran for help. When she left the ?Mnwen.ds were standing by the telephone. The Court adjourned till to-morrow. triaJ will probably last three days.