WOMAN'S SUICIDE
MRS. RATTENBURY'S CASE
, CROWDS AT THE FUNERAL (Received June 9. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. June 8 "If I thought it would help Stoner I would stay on, but it has been pointed out to me all too vividly that I cannot help him. That is my death sentence." Thus wrote Mrs. Rattenbury, who committed suicide in the River Stour after her acquittal on a charge of murdering her husband, for which crime George Percy lover, was condemned to death. The letter was addressed to the governor of Pentonville prison, and the coroner read it at the inquest.
Another letter disclosed that deceased had intended to commit suicide under a train or bus in London, but there were too many people about. A verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was returned.
More than 3000 people, nearly all of whom were women, went to deceased's funeral. They trampled over other graves, necessitating the employment of extra police to control the crowds. A man sought signatures to a petition for Stoner's reprieve and hundreds of women signed it.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22131, 10 June 1935, Page 9
Word Count
177WOMAN'S SUICIDE New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22131, 10 June 1935, Page 9
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