“ROOM 86" CASE

Evening Star, Issue 20440, 22 March 1930, Page 15

“ROOM 86" CASE

FOX FOUND GUILTY SENTENCED TO DEATH. Pr«M Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, March 21. (Received March 22, at 9.25 a.m.) Sidney Harry Fox was found guilty at the Old Bailey and was sentenced to death for. the. murder of his mother in room 66 of the Hotel Metropolo. The trial was the most sensational for years, the scene of the crime being reconstructed iu the court and expert witnesses giving evidence as to the effects of strangulation on a victim. _ The Crown’s case was that Fox insured his mother’s life for £3,000 the day before she was found dead in the hotel, and that he strangled her, then set fire to the room. THE JUDGE’S SUMMING UP. ,

LONDON, March 21. (Received March 22, at 10.25 a.m.) The judge’s summing up in the room 66 case occupied two and a-quartcr hours. Dealing with the conflict _of medical testimony, he said it was impossible to offer the jury any assistance. It was a curious coincidence that the brittle bone referred to by experts was unbroken. It was a strong point in favour of Fox. It was unfortunate that the parts concerned could not have been better preserved. Ho referred to Fox’s extraordinary life, going from place to place without money, and declared that the financial straits of the accused had a very direct bearing on the case. The insurance policies were the kernal of the case. Fox journeyed to London to take out the policies, when he had barely sufficient money to pay his faro, Undoubtedly, if Ids mother died by accident before midnight on October 23, Fox’s position would have changed from despair and difficulties to one of affluence.

The jury was absent for ninety-two minutes.

Asked if be had anything to say, Fox replied: “I never murdered my mother.’’ He reeled as he left, the dock.