A TRAGEDY OF THE PAST.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume VII, Issue 69, 26 September 1901, Page 2

A TRAGEDY OF THE PAST.

The Prisoner's Confession, Lord William Russell, a brother of the Duke of Bedford, was, on the morning of May 6, 1840, found murdered in his bedroom at 14, Norfolkstreet, Park Lane. He was then in his seventy-third year, and had only with him two women-servants and a Swiss valet named Courvoisier. Suspicion fell on the last-named, and he was convicted on the clearest evidence. From the confession which the murderer made, after finding his case was hopeless, it appeared that, in the middle of the night, when all had retired to rest, Lord William, feeling indisposed, dressed himself and went downstairs. He there found the valet busy packing up valuables, apparently with intent to carry them away. He taxed him with the crime, and, telling Courvoisier that he should be discharged in the morning, returned to bed. The valet continued, "My character was gone,' and I thought murdering him was the only way to cover my faults. I went into the dining-room, and took a carving-knife from the sideboard. On going upstairs, I opened his door, and heard him snoring. There was a rush-light burning in his room. I went near the bed by the side of the window, and then I killed him by cutting his throat. He just moved his arm a mTie, spolce a wurerr-"*T*TCr<'TR a towel which was on the chair, wiped my bloody hand and the knife, and then went to bed and slept soundly until morning. Ido not regret the 1 deed I committed." The murderer was executed at the Old Bailey on July 6, 1840.