RAVINE MYSTERY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18954, 3 March 1936, Page 13

RAVINE MYSTERY

WIFE MURDER CHARGE TRIAL OF RUXTON OPENS SUGGESTION OF MOTIVE MAN’S FOOLISH JEALOUSY (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. March 3, 3 p.m.) LONDON, March 2.

file biggest murder trial in recent years began at the Manchester Assizes to-day with a surprise when Dr. Buck ltuxton was charged only with the murder of his wife, though lie had also been committed for trial on an additional charge of the murder ol Mart ltogerson, a maid. A big array of counsel appeared, and 100 witnesses are to be called. the trial may last a fortnight. Jhe court was packed, and 50 reporters listened to the Crown counsel’s opening address, in which lie quoted Shakespeare s Othello :—• “Trifles- light, as air “Are. to the jealous confirmation strong "As proofs of holy writ.”

He said the motive of tile crime was foolish jealousy by a man possessed o) a violent temper. The wife was first strangled and then the maid was killed, probably! with a knife, because the miter was an eye-witness. Both women had certain blemishes and peculiarities by which they could be identified. All these were removed by cutting up and dismembering the bodies, which was the work of a man skilled in surgery. “Buxton may have thought himself clever, but lie made bad mistakes, said the Crown counsel. “It has been truly said that a good liar must have a good memory.”

The charges against Dr. Buxton are in connection with what is known as the Moffat 'Ravine mystery. A cable message received on October 2 stated that the discovery of the 30 newspaper parcels containing portions of two bodies was a sequel to the finding cf the heads from the two bodies, also wrapped in newspapers, in a deep ravine at Gardenholm, Dumfriesshire. A doctor’s report on tile parts recovered indicated that they were the remains of a man. between 55 and 60 years ol age unci of a woman about. 30. They were so mutilated that identification was almost impossible. Dr. Buxton was charged on October 13 with having murdered Miss Mary Jane Rogerson, aged 20, and oil November 6 he was also charged with having murdered his wife, Mrs. Isobel Buxton, aged 55. He was remanded after an angry outburst, in which lie declared : “Mv religion would not allow me to do it.”