GATES MURDER CASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18545, 4 May 1922, Page 7

GATES MURDER CASE

CHARGE AGAINST AIRMAN,

REMARKABLE ECCENTRICITIES.

REMOVING SUPERFLUOUS RELATIONS.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 3. (Received May 3, at 10.30 f p.m.) At the hearing of the charge against Ronald True, .a ■ former flying officer, of murdering Gertrude Gates In a fashionable flat at Fulham and stealing her jewellery, evidence was given that accused was remarkable for his eccentricities, including a project to form a “Bob-a-nob” Club, <bf which members undertook to murder mothers-in-law and other superfluous persons for a shilling each. He also discussed a Duds’ Club, for those who were unsuccessful in murdering their Hunts. It was stated that when True was aged four he buried his pet rabbits, leaving their heads visible because he wanted to see them daily until they starved. When six years of age he subjected his oym pony to every conceivable crmtfty. He was always different to other children. When True was 11 his mother became dangerously ill, and he merely remarked, “If she dies her property will be mine.” He suffered a bad flying accident, after which he contracted'the morphia habit. His wife testified that her husband’s stories of heroic air exploits proved to be imaginary.—A. and N.Z. Cable.