DEAD WIFE'S MAN FRIEND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19808, 9 December 1938, Page 16

DEAD WIFE'S MAN FRIEND

TRAGEDY AFTER RACES HUSBAND FOR TRIAL LONDON, Oct. 1. A factory storekeeper, David Leonard Knight, 33, of Rushgrecn road, Romford, Essex, whom a detectiveinspector described as an excellent husband, father, workman and neighboifr, was committed for trial by the Romford Bench yesterday, charged with killing his wife, Florence Helen Knight, 32. The woman was said to have had loose moral habits. Mr. Maurice Crump, prosecuting, said that Knight had three children. Last June Mrs. Knight went for a trip to Southend with a woman friend She met a man with whom she kept ud an association.

On September 10, the day before she met her death, she went with the man to the dog races at New Cross Shortly after her return home Knight rang up the police station, saying: “I have just done my wife a serious injury and will you send a police officer and ambulance. You had better send someone quick.” Alleged Statement

Mrs. Knight was found dead in the living-room. The cause of death was asphyxia due to manual strangulation. Knight made the following statement: I have stuck it from about) the time , I -got married almost or soon after my first baby was born. I have taxed her about it on several occasions

To-night I went to the pictures. We went out together and got. on the bus. I left her at Romford railway station. She said she was going to the Hippodrome at Ilford. I got home at 9.30 and expected that she would be home, but she did not appear until 11.10. In the meantime I, found this letter —referring to a torn-up letter found on Knight after his arrest —and it stated that he would meet her on Saturday night. I came to the conelusion that she had gone out to meet another man

I waited for her, and when she came indoors I was all worked up. 1 flew at her and she asked for forgiveness.

We had a struggle. She kept on pleading, "1 will never do it again.” 1 said, "That is what you told me before.” L already had her on the floor with my hands round her neck. 1 should not have done it but for her going out with other men. I love the woman, and there has'never been anyone-else-in my life. Neighbours who gave evidence spoke highly of Knight, who was said to be a teetotaller and non-smoker. Inspector Pilbury said that Knight had scratches on both sides of his face. Knight said they were done in the struggle. Knight pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence.