WOMAN ACQUITTED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19127, 23 September 1936, Page 9

WOMAN ACQUITTED

DEATH OF HUSBAND BIVIERA MURDER CHARGE NICE, Aug. 4.

A murder trial ending in the acquittal of an Englishwoman took place to-day ab the Assizes here. It has for some time past heen a topic of keen interest under the name of the "Trial of Mary Duggam"

The prisoner, whose age is 51, had the maiden name of Mary, or May, Duggan, and came originally from Ipswich. She ■was accused of the murder of her husband, a Svmn named Rhalli Kemeid. lie was 20* years older than herself, and lived at Vence, a small town in the hills to the north of Cannes.

On November 7 last neighbours heard shooting and found Mrs. Kemeid and her husband injured. The man died four days later without recovering consciousness, but the woman was only slightly hurt.

Mrs. Kemeid related the circumstances of their marriage in London in 1933. She alleged that their married life was made unhappy owing to the cruelty of her husband, and said that for some years they lived apart.

In 1920 they met again in Monte Carlo and agreed to resume life together. For several years they had a house in London. Eventually Kemeid resumed Ids former cruel habits, and travelled on the Continent, losiiigi heavily in various casinos.

Finally she admitted that she shot him in a fit of desperation and then attempted to kill herself.

The jury brought in a verdict of extenuating circumstances.