TRAGEDY IN THE DARK

Evening Star, Issue 19032, 29 August 1925, Page 9

TRAGEDY IN THE DARK

DEATH QF A DOCTOR SOX-TN-L AW AUR FSTFD. LONDON, August 15. At the inquest; on Dr Walter Cnrlcss • Swavno, aged (id, who was shot while i stay nig 'at a country house in Herefordshire, his son, Diehard Swayne, told a dramalic story of a struggle in the darkness with Wroford Drown, the dead man’s son-in-law, who had been gr-,.. 0 (l at the war and who is charged with the murder of the doctor. ' “ i was asleep,” Mr Swayne said, “when f heard two shots. It was then ],.;>(J a.in. 1 entered Brown’s unlighted bedroom, where his wife was in bed. 1 saw him against the window, nourishing a revolver and exclaiming; ‘The room is full of gas. They’re trying to ga.-, mo!’ Drown then Aired two more shots at the ceiling.” Witness dropped on the floor, while Sirs Drown hid under the bed. Witness left the room to obtain some weapon. Drown then entered his father-in-law’s room, where Dr Swayne : vainly endeavored to pacify him. Drown fired two shots, and witness heard his father fall on the floor. Witness then crawled _in the darkened room and touched his prostrate father, who said ; “ I’m shot.” Witness groped round for Brown, and when ho touched him hit out, ' knocking Drown into a corner. lie then seized Brown’s throat with his left hand, while lie groped for the revolver, at the same time shouting to I Mrs Drown; “Bring a light!” j Two neighbors entered and overpowered Brown and then summoned . assistance.