Earl Russell.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 149, 5 July 1901, Page 2

Earl Russell.

THE CHARGE OF BIGAMY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, July 3. Earl Russell appeared and knelt at the bar of the House of Lords and asked for a postponement of his trial in order to allow him to prepare his defence. The request was granted.

In April last year Earl Russell, who is now on trial for alleged bigamy, obtained a divorce in America from his wife, Countess Russell, on tile ground of her desertion. On the same day Mrs Somerville, nee Cooke, was granted a divorce from her husband, Mr George John Somerville, on the ground of cruelty. Both divorces were granted at Genoa, in the State of Nevada. Earl Russell and Mrs Somerville were then married. Countess Russell (Mabel Edith Scott) married Earl Russell in 1890, and in December, 1891, presented a petition to the Divorce Court for judicial separation from her husband, on the ground of cruelty. The petition was dismissed with costs. In August, 1895, she petitioned for restitution of conjugal rights, but the case was dismissed, and a decree of judicial separation was granted to Earl Russell. In September, 1896, Lady Scott, mother of Countess Russell, and three other persons were tried for criminal libel against Earl Russell. They were found guilty, and sentenced on January 7th, 1897, to eight months’ imprisonment. In March, 1899, Countess Russell appeared on the stage. Last March she obtained a divorce from her husband, who made no defence.