THE SYDNEY TRAGEDY

Otago Witness, Issue 2924, 30 March 1910, Page 29

THE SYDNEY TRAGEDY

SYDNEY, March 23. Lovett has been committed for trial on a charge of murdering his wife. Two constables deposed that two days before the tragedy Lovett told them that he had had trouble with his wife oyer meeting a Frenchman, arid if anything happened they would know the cause. The Cafe Itaheri. in Sydney, was the *cene of a ghastly tragedy on Tuesday week, when a young woman employed there as a barmaid . wa» fatally shot bv a young man, Walter Royden Lovett, who claimed to be h'er husband, and who subsequently vainly endeavoured to take hisown life. N The victim Was an attraetive woman, apparently about 25 years of age. About three months ago she applied for a position, as waitress at the cafe, but there being no vacancy in that department she signed on as a barmaid, giving the name of Nellie Stark The" proprietor of the cafe knew nothing of her private affairs, except) that she had not been long in Sydney, ind understood that she was unmarried She did her work well, an<J gave every satisfaction, being bright and) ladylike in manner. Lovett called to see the girl on th« Saturday night before the murder, and used violent and insulting language towards her. He said to her employer, "This woman is my wife, and refuses to

live with me. If you knew what she is you would put her off the premises." The proprietor of the oafe noticed that' the man was under the influence of drink, and requested him to leave the premises. Since the man's appearance a marked change '.was noticed in the woman. She was frequently very, depressed, and on several occasions was found in tears.

, She went on duty on the day of her death about 11 a.m , and appeared' to be unusually quiet, but it was >thought that she was suffering from a headache, and

her mood Was attributed to that, fact. A waitress took her dinner to the bar, and found her crying and murmuring in a despairing voice, " Oh, this is terrible." The waitress asked her what was the

matter, but she did not answer About a quarter past 2 she was alone in the bav. and Lovett went: to the door. Several people in the street heard him shout in a loud voice, "She's my wife!" and then,

drawing- a from hie pocket, he fired five shots through the doorway and

one at his own body. He then threw the revolver to the ground, and turned to run, calling out. "She's my wife, and I've killed her!" His flight was stopped by John Grames, a fireman, who held him until the police arrived, and placed him under arrest. When Grames caught him he said. " I've shot my wife—do what you please with me."

When the shots were fired several customers who wore dining in the cafe and several waitresses rushed up the staircase. On the landing at tlVe tot> they saw a terrible eight—the girl in her death agony, writhing in a pool- of blood. She groaned several times, and murmured, " Look

after my girl." Her left eye was blown completely out, and there were two other terrible wounds in her head, and a couple

of bullet holes through her clothing, which were saturated with blood in the vicinity of each hole. Loveti- was taken to the police station, where it was found that he was wounded.

and he was taken' to the hospital. His would was of a trifling character, a mere scratch in the skin under the left knee, and after treatment he was taken back €t the police station, and charged with wilful murder. He said he was a commercial traveller. Lately he had been a barman at the Brighton Hotel in Sydney. He did not know_ Row old he was, but does not. appear to be more than 22. His manner when he went to the cafe, according to people who saw him, suggested that he was under the influence of drink, and the police subsequently found unmistakable evidence that he had been drinking heavily.He was placed in a cell in a state of high' nervous excitement, and frequently demanded, in a pathetic way, " How is my wife," When charged with murder he did not seem to understand the charge, but continued to sob and murmur incoherently.

i From his broken utterances it was erathered that the murdered woman was his wife. Her name was Lily Lbvett, and she was about 26 years of age. The manageress of the restaurant was enthusiastic when speaking of the good qualities of the victim, whom she described as " a perfect little lady." She knew that Lovett had been a source of trouble bo deceased, and that she was very worried over his constant persecutions. She be*jieved that he used to demand money from the girl, and ohe latter told her that ha J

wis cruel to her. The sdrl also told hep that she had to work to keep her husband, and that because she refused to give him £2 10s he punched her head and crushed her wrist, which was painfully swoilen owing to rheumatics. " Nelly was so upset owing to the man's conduct." continued the lady, "tha' she decided to 30 home to her mother, who lives afc Newcastle; but she was staying on to see us over the Easter rush."