MURDER CHARGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 22 January 1926, Page 5

MURDER CHARGE

ACCUSED'S LETTER TO SWEETHEART (By Fdce'-ir Teleganh.—Copyright.) (Heater's Telegrams) LONDON". Jan. 21. Surprise was caused at the trial of Stewart and Lincoln for the murder of Richards by the reading of a letter from Lincoln, written in prison, to his sweetheart. In this he said he and Stewarl went to the Rielmrds's house for the purpose of seeking money. They found half a bottle of brandy, which they consumed and then left, taking two bottles of beer. Later thev returned, expecting to find Richards asleep. Instead they encountered him and shots were bred on both sides. Richards fell wounded. Lincoln said he supported Rielmrds's head for a time and then boiled, lb- had nurtured no evil against Richards, since whose death the writer had •■suffered hell." The letter was in(ercepted by the governor of the prison. The .indue held, there was no evidence of murder against Stewart, whom (he iury acquitted. Lincoln's case was adjourned. DEATH SENTENCE LONDON. Jan. 21. Lincoln was sentenced lo death in eonneclion with the murder of Richards. Lincoln's defence was a frank ad mission that he fired shots. "I can't say I fired at anything particularly. I simply bred in Richards's direction. I was terrified because Richards was liring. I rushed him and struck him with a bottle but diil not know I had killed him." Loieoln said he always carried a pistol because his father did. There was a fascination in possession of such a thing. Counsel for the defence urged thai the verdict should be one of nituisia u<>hler. which the jury agreed to. The iud.<:e. in sentencing Lincoln said: '"Yon have cut oft' by wicked folly the life of a young;, happy, prosperous man. (hereby forfeiting your own life. You are also young, with every possibility of being happy and useful." Slewarf thereupon was placed in ihe dock, charged with robbery and violence. The Crown oll'ered no evidence. The judge commented that it would be gross miscarriage of justice if he da! not charge Stewart. who was later arrested and charged with simple burglary.