AN ENGLISHMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9503, 5 May 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN ENGLISHMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN FRANCE.

Mb. Bennett Whittingham, who is said to be the son of an English general, has been arrested on the charge of having shot his wife abßoyan, in the Charante Inferieure, one Sunday recently. He married some six months ago Mdlle. Suzanne Andon, a young French girl of nineteen, the oldest daughter of the head of the local Pilots' Association. The wedding was solemnised in England, and they afterwards returned to France. Their married life appears to have been unhappy. The husband, who led an idle life, is described as having been very violent, and as having soon regretted his marriage. One day he is said to have taken his wife to an hotel at Saintes, and, having placed a loaded revolver in her hand, sought to persuade her to commit suicide. He ended by deserting her. The unfortunate woman, terrified by the continual scenes of violence, took refuge at her mother's house. On Sunday morning Mr. ' Whittingham presented himself at the house of Madame Andon, and asked to see his wife. He had brought a portmanteau with him, and said he had come from Paris. Mrs. Whittingham was at church, and her husband awaited her return. On the two meeting a heated discussion arose. The wife retired to her room, and Mr. Whittingham immediately followed, pushing aside Madame Andon, who sought to prevent him. He rushed upstairs, and the next moment a report of firearms was heard. An alarm was given, and Madame Andftn and some friends entered her daughter's room. They found the young wife lying dead. The jaw was broken, and the appearances were such as to indicate that she had been fired at point black. Whittingham was at once seized and charged with the murder. Ho offered no resistance. The dead woman was enceinte.