The Ilford Murder

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 302, 9 December 1922, Page 5

The Ilford Murder

A DRAMATIC TRIAL.

EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC INTEREST.

'.By Cable.—Preet Association.—Cony right.] (Received 9, 11.25 a.m.) London, Dec. 8. A tragic episode occurred at the Ilford trial. The evidence of Mrs. By waters regarding her son’s movements on the night of the murder, ended in her crying out: “He is one of the best sons a mother ever had.” Mrs. Thomson broke down several times, but By waters, who is charged with murder, is a vigorous youth of fearless demeanour and a complete master of his emotions.

The woman juror was locked up in the City Hotel with a special woman bailiff. This is the first time a woman juror has been locked up for the night. The spectators created a new record, arriving at the Old Bailey eleven o 'clock at night ir expectation of hearing Mrs Thompson's evidence to-day. Women were almost completely ousted from the queue, which stood iu a steady drizzle of rain. It was noticeable that the crowd passed the night playing cards and occasionally singing. Bywaters continued his evidence. He denied any agreement with Mrs Thompson with reference to the latter’s husband beyond getting a separation and a divorce. He bought a sheath knife in 1915, and carried it at home and ’abroad. He had luncheon with Mrs Thompson on the day of the murder and arranged to meet her next day. After leaving a friend's place that ’light he suddenly decided to try to see the Thompsons in ottler to arrive at an amicable understanding about the divorce.—(A. and N.Z,)

ACCUSED MAN’S STORY.

BLOW STRUCK IN SELF-DEFENCE

Bywaters, continuing his evidence in the Ilford murder case, said that when he reached Ilford he saw the Thompsons walkifig and overtook x them, He pushed Mrs Thompson away and seized the back of Thompson’s coat. He swung him round and said: “Why don’t you get a divorce or separation if you can?” Thompson replied “I know that’s what you want. I shan’t do it. It would make it to© pleasant for both of you.” Witness said: “You take a delight* in making Edie’s life a hell.” Thompson replied: “I’ve got her and will keep her. I’ll shoot you.”

Ho struck witness and then nut his hand to his pocket. Witness drew his knife in self-defence and plunged it in to his arm. They smuggled. By waters said he thought Thompson w< uld kill him. He could not explain the wounds on Thompson’s back and neck. ll© understood Mi’s Thompson would get a divorce x by providing the necessary evidence, but th© husband refused to accept it Mrs Thompson’s letters referring to the poisons meant that she was trying to commit suicide., Sho never suggested murdering Thompson.

A»i's. VHhompson. was assisted into the box and gave evidence in broken and almost inaudible tones. She desciibed how her happy days of married life wore followed by constant difficulties and troubles. They discussed separation and divorce liefor© she met By waters. She denied that she c\er possessed poison or administered poison to her husband or put ground glass in his food.—(A. and N.Z.)