BROTHER MURDERS BROTHER

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1927, Page 13

BROTHER MURDERS BROTHER

“FIENDISH BRUTALITY.” DREAD SEQUEL TO QUARREL. Sydney, March 25. Describing the act as one of fiendish brutality, Mr. Justice James this week sentenced Albert Feltham to death for the murder of his own brother. lhe victim of the case was Sydney 1* rank Feltham, 39. who, it was stated by the Crown, was of much smaller build than his brother, aged 42 years. Having returned from the races on Anniversary Day, Sydney Feltham and his father were at their home in Norton Street, Ashfield, when the accused, who was under the influence of liquor, arrived home. Both Albert Feltham and his brother had been heavy drinkers at times. Sydney Feltham was in bls bedroom at the time, and Albert went in and asked him if there was any beer in the house He refused to believe that there was none, and demanded to know where the supply had been hidden, but Sydney entreated Albert to be quiet, and when he left the room thought that he had returned to a reasonable frame of mind. But some minutes later he heard a scuffle, and he saw the two brothers gradually wrestling their way out of the house. The elder brother was doing all the fighting, while the smaller one was taking all the blows. Sydney was soon felled, and was kicked by Albert about the head and body. As Sydney was rolled towards the front gate, the father saw Albert hoist himself on the gate and jump on his brother’s upturned face.’ Medical evidence showed that Sydney Eeltham suffered dreadful injuries. Ho died a few hours after admission to hospital. When questioned by the police, Albert Feltham said that’ Sydney attacked him with a knife, but the father’s evidence was to the effect that during the quarrel a knife was never in the hands of deceased. Out of consideratioh for his feelings, the father was not called upon to give evidence, and the Crown tendered a copy of the old man’s depositions at the coroner’s inquiry. It was stated that Feltham, senr., was broken-hearted over the whole affair. In a statement from the dock, Albert Feltham said that he fought with his brother only after the latter had atacked him with a knife. After a few minutes’ retirement, the jury returned a verdict of guilty without adding any recommendation. The prisoner, who shook his head when asked if he had anything to Bay, was sentenced to death. In passing sentence, Mr. Justice James said that drink was undoubtedly to blame for the regrettable occurrence. But he could not understand why the prisoner would murder hia own brother. Albert Feltham did not seem overaffected by the verdict and walked hurriedly from the dock when ho was released from Court.