STRANGE MURDER CASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20323, 3 February 1928, Page 9

STRANGE MURDER CASE

ACCUSED ACQUITTED

the verdict cheered. (Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, February 1. There was a dramatic scene at the Old Bailey when Rust was acquitted. The spectators burst into cheering. The Chief Justice ordered the court to be cleared, then, turning to Rust, said : “ have been exceedingly fortunate in your jury.” Rust’s evidence was to the effect that his father accused his mother of unfaithfulness. At his father’s request he brought his brothers in for the purpose of putting them to bed. Returning later he saw his father cutting his throat. He snatched r <■ razor from his father, and dragged him to the bedroom, where he saw his brothers dead. He took the blame because he did not want the fact about his mother revealed. A doctor gave evidence that the father’s wound was consistent with suicide. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

The prosecution suggested that Rust saw red on hearing his father say that he had evidence of the mother’s infidelity, and threatening to kill her lover. Rust thought the best thing would be to kill all those likely to suffer from the mother’s action. Counsel, outlining the defence, said that the real explanation was utterly different. The case was strange oeyon’d understanding. Rust was an unselfish son and devoted to his father and young brothers. He actually reached home after the father had killed the two boys and committed suicide. Then accused, beside himself with grief, decided that it would be best to accuse himself of the crime.