READING INQUEST

Southland Times, Issue 20903, 12 October 1929, Page 7

READING INQUEST

VERDICT OF JURY MURDER BY SOMEONE UNKNOWN REMARKABLE DEMONSTRATION (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) London, October 10. At the Reading inquest a verdict of murder by someone unknown was returned. The foreman of the jury announced i that the evidence was too conflicting to permit of definitely establishing any guilt. The verdict was cheered inside and outside the court. When Drew emerged he was most unconcerned. He was carried shoulder high to his hotel. The jury was 2} hours considering its verdict. There were remarkable demonstrations in the crowded court where Drew was acclaimed a hero and also in the streets where a crowd of 4000 accompanied him to his hotel and listened to a fervid speech from the balcony. Drew said: "The one above” (here he almost broke down) "like myself knows I had nothing to do with this crime. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of Mr and Mrs Lindo I thank you.”

When Drew retired Mrs Lindo came to the front of the balcony and threw kisses to the crowd and thanked them in broken phrases until Drew returned and kissed her lips amid cheers. Mr and Mrs Lindo say there is a possibility of their appearance in "The Monster.” Drew said: “I do not want a holiday. I would like to appear in ‘The Monster’ tonight and when I do I shall act as never before.” —Australian Press Association.

Alfred Oliver, aged 60, a tobacconist of Cross street, Reading, was found bludgeoned and at the point of death in his shop on June 22. His wife left at 6.5 in the afternoon and returned at 6.15 and found her husband dying. After making inquiries for three months the police failed to make an arrest, but at the resumed inquest a strange story was unfolded at the coroner’s court. Philip Yale Drew, aged 50, who was playing the part of a disguised detective in “The Monster,” which was being staged at Reading at the time of the murder, sat and listened to a long succession of witnesses who pointed to him as the man behaving strangely outside Oliver’s shop on the evening of the crime. Others gave evidence that Drew kept the theatre late that night, and that he afterwards explained that he had lost the trousers which he usually wore on the stage. A servant of a lodging house said he asked for benzolene to clean his jacket. He was excitable and nervy. Mr Lindo, who is mentioned in the above cablegrams, is joint proprietor of the company producing “The Monster.” AMAZING SCENES DREW ACCORDED AN OVATION. VERDICT ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, October 10. Drew’s leonine appearance and melodramatic methods dominated the Reading inquest to the end. The coroner, summing up, detailed the testimony of 60 witnesses, the evidence of the greater number of whom concerned Drew’s whereabouts in tlje fatal ten minutes. When the jury retired the famous blue suit and other exhibits were taken to the retiring room, also a book entitled “A Day from London to Penzance” which Oliver was reading when he was struck down.

There was a hush in the crowded court when the foreman began to read the verdict, but the closing words, "persons unknown,” resulted in an amazing scene. Women rose and waved handkerchiefs, and men threw their hats in the air cheering. Drew was occupied in consoling Mrs Lindo, who wept with relief on hearing tho verdict. When Drew appeared with his counsel, Mr Whittingsall, in the streets the ovation was repeated. The crowd outside greeted the actor with cheers and a stream of handclapping while Drew, surrounded by a dozen constables, made his way to a hotel. He was finally carried shoulder high and the police had to fight the way for Drew and his party until they reached the hotel. Drew went into the balcony and threw kisses to the crowd below. At last Drew stretched out his hands and signalled for silence. He said: “Just a moment before you go to your homes. I want to thank you for the prayers you sent up on my behalf. I shall never forget this demonstration of glorious sympathy you extended.” Drew concluded: “Moreover, I shall never forget the wonderful courtesy the glorious Press unanimously accorded me. Good afternoon to you all.”

Interviewed later Drew said: “I feel deeply that the system of the coroner’s inquiry is wrong. It is not exactly the third degree or crucifixion, but it is a terrible ordeal. My conscience is satisfied absolutely. I have shirked nothing. What more should I do? I sincerely trust that the man who killed Oliver will be found sooner or later, not for my personal satisfaction, but in the interests of justice and also to confute a few doubting Thomases who may still exist. Any of those who have seen me go through the ordeal must realize that I held up my head from first to last. I had on reason why I should not.”

Mr Lindo says he is opening “The Monster” company in the West End of London in a fortnight with Drew, his wife and himself in their old parts. Mrs Lindo’s final analysis of the situation is summed up thus: “To me, men, especially actors, are helpless creatures.” She added: “The evidence showed Drew to be the big baby he is.”— Australian Press Association.