AMAZING MURDER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23008, 8 April 1938, Page 8

AMAZING MURDER

RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCE CHURCH ARMY CAPTAIN'S FATE [from our own correspondent] 1 LONDON, March lu A difference of opinion on religion led to the murder of Captain Henry William Shaw, of the Church Army, it was stated at the Old Bailey. Charles Henry Robson, aged 24, labourer, of Stratford, was sentenced to death for killing. Shaw with a hammer after a Church Army meeting at Stratford. Robson did not give evidence, but it was 6tated ! by the prosecution that on February 10 there was a special gathering at a social centre in Union Street. Stratford, organised by Captain Shaw, at which darts and billiards were followed by prayer and religious discussion. ' Apparently Robson did not believe in God, and said people were hypocrites who ;tried to "ram religion down other people's throats." He left shortly after 10 p.m., and about half an hour later came running back and told Mrs. Shaw that her husband jwas hurt. . Captain Shaw was found inside with head injuries, and he died in hospital. Robson went to a police station and said i' "I have just murdered a bloke. We had an argument about God, because I do not believe there is one. He said: 'There is.' I was fed up with him preaching about it, so I hit him with a hammer. He will know whether there is a God now, and I suppose I shall too. Later Robson made a statement saying that he felt rather annoyed because he thought they had made him look a fool.