SENSATIONAL TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21233, 13 July 1932, Page 12

SENSATIONAL TRAGEDY.

LONDON MURDER CHARGE.

END HOSTESS IN DOCK.

MRS. BARNEY'S ACQUITTAL.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON. Juno 10. Great public interest has been aroused by the case against Mrs. Elvira Dolores Barney, aged 27, a beautiful woman with a reputation as a hostess, who has been charged with the murder on May 31 of Thomas William Scott Stephen, aged 26, at her flat in the West End of London. The tragedy caused a great stir in the fashionable world of London, for both Mr. Stephen and Mrs. Barney were widely known. On tho afternoon of Monday, May 30, Mr 3. Barney had entertained a party of men and women at which Mr. Stephen, who had been a close friend of hers for some time, stayed for several hours. He left before most of the other guests in company with a woman. The party ended about nine in the evening. Early the next morning a shot rang out and Mr, Stephen was found dead in Mrs. Barney's house. Mrs. Barney was married in 1928 to Mr. John Stirling Barney, who was one of the trio of singers known as "The Three New Yorkers." She herself has appeared on the stage under tho name of "Dolores Ashley," and was in "The Blue Kitten" at the Gaiety Theatre. Her father, Sir John Mullens, who is retired, was senior partner in the firm of Mullens, Marshall, Steer, Lawford and Company, stockbrokers, who hold the appointment of brokers to the National Debt Commissioners. Mrs. Barney's sister is Princess George Imeretinsky, who, as Miss Averil Mullens, married Prince George. Imeretinsky, a former Guards officer, at St. Margaret's, Westminster, in 1925. Mr. Stephen was tho son of Mr. J. H. Stephen, London manager of the North of Scotland Bank. Deceased's Brother's Evidence.

At the inquest, Mr. Francis Stephen, a solicitor, brother of the deceased, said he did not think that the latter had had any occupation lately, but he had been a dress designer in Paris. Witness last saw him about six months ago. The Coroner: Do you know anything of the relationship between him and Mrs. Barney ? Witness: Yes. When I last saw him I asked him and Mrs. Barney to come to my office. There I told them that my father did not approve of their association. My brother was very angry, so I just asked him to leave the office. Your father wanted them to separate ? —Yes. They tried to give us the idea they would get married when she got a divorce. We pointed out that thi 3 was not the best way of setting about it. He said: "Don't be so tiresome," or something like that, and Mrs. Barney tried to restrain him. I asked him to leave. I did not see him again. When Mrs. Barney appeared at the Police Court on Juno 4 charged with murder, she was in the dock only about five minutes, but it was five minutes packed with drama. A queue had formed more than an hour before the case came on, and women fought to get into the small Court. Sir John and Lady Mullens were present. Collapse in Police Court.

Mrs. Barney, who looked haggard, sat with closed eyes, her twitching fingers holding a pair of> white gloves. She was apparently oblivious to her surroundings. She appeared to take no notice of the short evidence, which began after her counsel had been told by the magistrate that only formal evidence would be taken. A detective gave evidence as to arresting Mrs. Barney on a charge of murdering Mr. Stephen. She said: "I did not shoot him. I am not guilty." When accused was remanded she rose to her feet, swaying. The police matron stepped into the dock to assist her. Mrs. Barney picked up her bag and made two steps forward with staggering gait. Suddenly she crashed to the floor. She was carried out of Court, and remained unconscious for half an hour. When she had been taken away to Holloway there was a dramatic meeting between Lady Mullens and the mother of the dead man in one of the rooms adjoining the Court.

At the trial which took place last week Mrs. Barney was found not guilty of murder or manslaughter.