LIVERPOOL MURDER CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20922, 11 July 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

LIVERPOOL MURDER CASE.

MOCK TRIAL ACQUITTAL. CONFIDENCE OF COLLEAGUES. Now that the appeal of Mr. Wallace has resulted in the quashing of his conviction in the Liverpool murder case, it is permissible to disclose that recently -he was the subject of a mock trial held in all seriousness by his colleagues of a life insurance company. On March 26 insurance officers from all over the country gathered at the headquarters of the staff union and examined the ovidence against Wallace as presented at the police court. Wallace was then in Walton Gaol, Liverpool, awaiting trial. The inquiry lasted all day, s and every point of the evidence was sifted. Although there was considerable feeling in his favour —Wallace was formerly chairman of the staff union's Liverpool branch —the evidence was examined without bias. Mr. Munro, Wallace's solicitor, placed before the " court " all the points in his client's favour. The prosecution's case, as given in the police court, was also considered, and eventually there was a unanimous verdict in favour of Wallace. The " court" also decided that Mr. Wallace was not tho type of man who could have murdered his wife, and found that,' on the contrary, there was every reason to believe that he had lived on the very best of terms with her. Mr. Wallace's financial circumstances were then discussed. It was stated that at least £IOOO was needed to provide an efficient defence, and the " court " resolved to open a fund and to prepare a statement to bo sent round to all members of tho union appealing for help. After the appeal had been in tho hands of members for/only a few days, several hundred pounds were sent to headquarters. Mr. Wallace, as stated on this page last week, was convicted of the murder of his wife and sentenced to death. The conviction and sentence were quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal.