THE PALMERSTON TRAGEDY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 136, 9 June 1906, Page 5

THE PALMERSTON TRAGEDY.

KNOWLES SENTENCED. [Bl TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] • P.ALMERSTON, Bth June. The jury, after an hour's retirement, fouiid William Knowles, labourer, guilty of the murder of his wife, with a strong recommendation to mercy in the abnormal state of his mind. Prisoner made a long, rambling statement, accusing Mrs. Knowles of immorality; and finished up by singing some verses from the dock. Witnesses were called to show that accused had suffered from insomnia, and was always v.orrying over his domestic grievances. When sentenced, he said he wae prepared to meet; his fate. The details of the tragedy have already been fully published, but the main facts as related by counsel for the prosecution, after he had referred to fche ,fact that in murder cases there was only one count, ' but it was open to them, if tho fact 6 did not disclose murder, to find a verdict of manslaughter, were as follows : — Accused was a married man separated from his wife, the separation order having been obtained by her. Deceased worked for her own Jiving, but had obtained also a maintenance order against accused. The latter did not comply with the order of tthe court, and he was brought several times before the court. Shortly before the murder there had been proceedings in court bet-ween lihem. On Saturday, 28th April, deceased was visited at her house by accused. What took place then was not known, but shortly afterwards deceased was seen walkinc along the street carrying a bag and also a bundle. Knowles came out of the house and walked after her. Deceased commenced to run and accused ran aflfer her. Witnesses of the occurrence saw accused catch her, they saw two separate bursts of smoke, heard two reports as of a, gun discharged, and then saw deceased fall into the watertable. Subsequent examination showed she was quite dead.