KENSINGTON FLAT MURDER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 June 1932, Page 5

KENSINGTON FLAT MURDER.

CASE AGAINST MRS BARNEY. TRAGEDY OF LOVE AND HATE. t J3y Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyrignt.) (Received This Day, 8.35 a.m.) v LONDON, Juno 11. Crowds of fashionably-dressed women queued outside Westminster Police Court when Mrs Elvira Barney -was charged with the murder of Michael Stephen. , , , . The prosecuting counsel related how neighbours early in the morning heard Mrs Barney scream, ‘‘Let out of my ■house. I hate you. 'I will shoot you.” They then heard shots and cries of anguish, Mr Barney exclaiming “I love you so, chicken; come back. I’ll do anything you ask im.e.” A doctor found Mrs Barney kneeling beside Stephen’s body kissing it and saying, “I- love you.” She was in evident distress. i

Mrs Barney’s statement to the police was that she quarrelled with Stephen about a woman. He attempted to take a revolver from her and the weapon went off during the struggle. -Counsel stated that Sir Bernard Spilstoury, Home Office Pathologist, would give evidence that it was not impossible, but extremely improbable, for the wound to have been caused accidentally or for deceased to have shot himself. A gun. expert would give evidence in support of the theory that it was impossible for deceased to pull the trigger and inflict a wound of this character and position. The Crown -was also tendering a second charge of shooting at Stephen with intent to do grievous bodily harm on May 19 th. Accused was remanded till June 18.

Mrs Elvira Dolores Barney, the actress daughter of Sir John Mullens, a retired stockbroker, was arrested on a charge of the murder of Michael Stephen, son of a bank manager, who was found dead, shot in the chest, in Mrs Barney’s luxurious Kensington flat. The deceased’s brother stated that Michael’s debts were paid frequently by his father. Michael had denied living -with Mrs Barney, whose husband is in the United States. The tragedy is another result of the notorious night life dance dens frequented by people on the fringe of society.