Tragic Letters Reveal Crime of Jealousy

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6802, 4 January 1929, Page 4

Tragic Letters Reveal Crime of Jealousy

Husband Slays His Wife for Infidelity A tragedy in a back upstairs room of a charming English home was described in the Watford Police Court, when a wild-eyed, pallid, unhappylooking man, Sidney Charles Lee, was charged on remnd with the wilful murder of his wife, Annie Elizabeth Lee. His wife was found at White Gables —a mile distant from Watford, Essex —suffocated, and bleeding from a knife wound in the throat. Behind this horrifying death there was said by counsel for the Crown to lie a history of domestic strife, accusations of infidelity, and separation. Lee came from a house in Colnebourne Avenue, Withington, Manchester, and at another address in Manchester there lived three of the children of the dead woman and her husband. A fourth child, a baby, was being nursed by a Watford woman, and for its maintenance the mother paid 10s a week. Mrs. Lee was employed by Mr. and Mrs. W. Lawton, of White Gables, Watford, as a cook. She was described as a quiet, able woman, and she gave every satisfaction to her employers. She was an excellent cook, and lived a retired life, although one of her friends described her as having possessed always an air of haunting melancholy, which may account for the trouble that followed. At Police Station During a week-end her employers went away into the country, and it was while they were absent that the tragedy occurred. The first notice the police had of the affair was when Lee walked into the police station at Watford, and, according to the evidence; said: “I have murdered my wife with a knife at White Gables." He was detained while two officers went to the house, and there, in a back room, they found the dead woman. The medical evidence showed that she had apparently been first strangled, and afterwards stabbed. The doctor described the man as “pale, but calm and mentally clear.” Afterwards there came an examination of the dead woman’s effects. There were a number of letters which had apparently been signed by Lee. They were pathetic human documents. The opening in each case was “Dear Annie,” and they were signed “S. C. Lee.’ Each' one told a sad tale of disappointment, suspicion, and despair. Tragic Letters Extracts from the letters were read out in court. One of them ran:— “Just a line to ask you what are your intentions regarding the future. You know as well as I do that this state of affairs cannot go on for ever. I have received two letters (from relatives) asking me to take you back, as they think it is your place to be with your children. I don’t know whether you want to come back, or whether you still prefer your freedom. No doubt you thought you were doing something big when you left me with £3 in your purse. . . I tell you straight, Annie, I am not going to be blamed for another man’s doings.’ ’ Another of the letters read: “I received your letter, but I am just as wise as I was before. What I want to know is why did you leave me? Look here, Annie, I want the truth from you. Who was responsible for your condition?”

“You know very well it is not me. If you want me to tpke you back you must who is responsible for your condition, otherwise I shall apply straightaway for a divorce. I am determined to carry this thing through, unless you come out with the whole truth.” < “Terible Business” A .third letter, which bore no address, .stated: “I have no intention of ever, taking you back again. You know our marriage was one of convenience and has never been a happy one. So why try to get blood out of a stone? I am paying for the children to be looked after. If, as you say, you have got a good job, take my advice and keep it. “I have told you before we can never come together again. It is no use for you to keep writing. Please take this as final.”

The first letter also referred to Mrs. Lee’s statement that he was responsible for her condition and contained the comment: “That, you know, is the biggest lie you ever told.” During the reading of these extremely tragic and striking letters Lee sat with head bowed and hands clasped over his face. Nor did he look up when an oflicer from the local police station remarked dramatically that when he asked what business Lee had called upon the reply was: “It is a terrible business ... I have murdered my wife at White Gables. She is in her bedroom at the back of the house and the knife is still there.”

Afterwards he is alleged to have made a statement, which was read the while the prisoner looked up with an air of bewilderment. It ran: "I left Manchester on the 8.10 a.m. train on Tuesday, August , and arrived- in London about 12.35. I went to Watford and saw my wife at White Gables. I called again at the house at about 12 on Saturday-, August 11. “About 2 o’clock we had words about our dead baby. I then took her by the throat until she was insensible. Someone rang the back- door bell, so I carried her upstairs to her bedroom, where I finished her with a knire. 1 remained in the house until 6.30. I then got a bus to Watford and gave myself up at King Street Police Station.” A touching feature of this moving picture of severed lives was the discovery of torn-up birthday cards with affectionate greetings sent to the woman’s children and returned to her. They were found in her handbag, torn into small fragments. Lee was committed for trial. He listened to the committal in silence, or to call witnesses. 'j

Concentration Did ,lt. —Betty came running into the house in a state of great excitement. “Bobby Smith kissed me!" she announced at the top of her shrill voice. “Why, Betty,” died her mother, “what did he do that for?” “Well —I’m not sure—but I think I have the stronger will.”. . * * * Not a Waiter. —Henderson's evening dress was rather old-fashioned. His figure was not one which showed to advantage, either. One evening, as he stood in the vestibule of a large restaurant waiting for his wife, a tali, pompous-looking man came up to him. “I say, my man, are you the head waiter?” he drawled. What Henderson lacked in bearing he made up for in quick thinking. Without a sign of hesitation he turned to the other. “No," he said; “but I heard him tell a young fellow this afternoon that he didn’t want to see any more applicants for jobs.” * * * Wants What He Wants. —A man is that large irrational creature who is always looking for home atmosphere in an hotel and hotel service around the house. ' -