Woman Acquitted After Trial
(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, June 7. After 20 minutes’ retirement a jury at Norwich Assizes today acquitted Valerie Margaret Sparks, aged 17, of murdering her 21-year-old sweetheart, Gordon Norris.
The couple were found in a gasfilled room following an alleged suicide pact. The Judge told the jury that the law provided for a charge of murder against the survivor .of such a pact, but if the person who survived tried to save himself or herself, but was stopped by the other person involved, then he or she was not responsible.
Evidence showed that Valerie Sparks had entered the pact because of parental objection to her marrying Norris. When the gas began to fill the room she tried to escape, but Norris made her remain.
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Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27990, 9 June 1956, Page 9
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128Woman Acquitted After Trial Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27990, 9 June 1956, Page 9
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