OPEN VERDICT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18758, 15 July 1935, Page 7

OPEN VERDICT

LEGS AND TORSO CASE “STARTLING FACTS’’ LONDON, June 7. * An open verdict was returned at the resumed Southwark inquest yesterday on the legs found, in a train at Wateroo and the torso taken from the Grand Union Canal at Brentford. Tho jury said there was no evidence to show how death was caused. Sir Bernard Spiisbury stated that the liurbs were severed at least several hours, and possibly several days, after death had occurred. They had been severed not more than 48 hours before the limbs were discovered on February 25, by some person or persons with anatomical knowledge. ' Chief Inspector Donaldson said lie had Investigated numerous cases or missing persons, and a great .many ol the disappearances-had been satisfactorily accounted for. He was still pursuing Inquiries. The coroner, Mr Douglas Cowburn, said "the evidence showed that the parts of- the body belonged to a strong, healthy man. It was remarkable that the dissection had been done with such extreme care. Sir Bernard Spilsbury h.ad said there was a strong presumption that the legs and trunk belonged to the same person. “If he is right,” said the coroner, “certain facts stand out. with startling emphasis. Why has -such meticulous care been displayed in dissecting the joints at tho elbow? It the forearms had been tattooed, would their" re moval destroy a clue which might possibly lead to identification? “Why was the head removed? Was the stomach removed by deliberate design to prevent a*.pathologist from •ascertaining that which might have, shown the cause of death? “Why was that vest left on the trunk? Was it because there was no time to remove it? “You may think that such facts as we dp know point to more, than a suspicion that this unfortunate person net .his death by foul means.” ,