TROWBRIDGE TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19695, 23 January 1926, Page 11

TROWBRIDGE TRAGEDY

TRIAL OF STEWART AND LINCOLN. STEWART ACQUITTED. (Prcwi Association —By Telegraph—Copyright.> LONDON. January 21. Surprise was caused at the trial of Stewart and Lincoln for the murder of Richards toy the reading erf a letter from Lincoln, written in prison to his sweetheart. In this he said that he and Stewart went to Richards’s house for the purpose of seeking money. They found half a bottle of brandy, which they consumed. They then left, taking two bottles. Later they returned, expecting to find Richards asleep. Instead they encountered him, and shots were fired on both sides, and Richards fell (pounded. Lincoln said be supported Richards’s head for a time, and then bolted. o had nurtured no evil against Richards, since whose death the writer had “suffered hell.” The letter was intercepted by the governor of the prison. The judge held that there was no evidence of murder against Stewart, whom the jury acquitted. Lincoln’s case was adjourned.—A. and N.Z. Cable. LINCOLN’S DEFENCE. CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER. LONDON, January 21. Lincoln’s defence was a frank admission that he fired the shots. “I can’t say I fired at anything particularly; I simply fired in Richards’s direction. I was terrified, because Richards (was firing. I rushed him and struck him with a bottle, but I did not know that that I had killed him.” Lincoln said he always carried a pistol, because his father did. There was a fascination in the possession of such a thing. Counsel for the defence urged that should be one of manslaughter, to which the jury agreed. The judge, in sentencing Lincoln, said: “You have cut off by wicked folly the life of a young, happy, and prosperous man, thereby forfeiting your own life. You are also young, and had every possibility of being happy and useful. ” Stewart was thereupon placed in the dock and charged with robbery with violence, but the Crown offered no evidence. The judge commented that it would be a gross miscaiyiage of justice if it did not charge Stewart, who was later arrested, and charged with simple burglary.—A. and N.Z. Cable* E-dfward Charles- Richards, who was found shot in his own garden at Trowbridge, and who afterwards died, mad© a statement to the police, who on Christmas Day arrested Bombadier John Lincoln at a house where a party was in progress. Lincoln said: “Do not break up the party. I will come quietly.” LINCOLN SENTENCED TO DEATH. LONDON, January 21. Lincoln was sentencedl to death in connection with the murder of Richards. — A. and N.Z. Cable.