SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16709, 15 April 1922, Page 8

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

ARMSTRONG FOUND GUILTY QBE AT PUBLIC TNTEBEBT IX TRIAL. By TeOttraph—Press Association —CopyrightAustralian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, April 13 Armstrong was found guilty and sentenced to death. Medical experts for the defence expressed the opinion that Mrs Armstrong died of a big dose of arsenic taken six days before her death. Mr Curtis Bennett, for the accused, in his final speech emphasised the fact that the deceased woman was just from the asylum. She suffered from delusions. he said, and could no doubt have committed suicide.

Interest in the case was maintained to the end.

Mr Justice Darling, In summing up. said the case was probably the most remarkable in living memory. He emphasised the value of circumstantial evidence, provided it was good. Regarding the suggestion that the woman had committed suicide, he asked the jury to consider if, supposing she had taken arsenic, she would have said just before she died, 44 1 am not going to die, am I?”

7'ho jury was away for three-quarters of an hour. When they returned and had given their verdict, Armstrong replied, in answer to the usual question from the Judge. thU) he had nothing further to say. He stood rigidly to attention while the Judge said be agreed with the verdict and passed sentence. Armstrong went to the cells without aid. preserving the same cool, collected demeanour which he had exhibited during the long cross-examination Notice of appeal has been given. Major Herbert Rows© Armstrong. M.A.. solicitor and clerk to the local Benches of Magistrates, was charged with causing the death of his wife, Kathleen Mary Armstrong, by the administration of arsenic. There was a further charge against the prisoner of attempting to murder Mr Oswald Martin. a neighbour and fellow-eolicitor, also by the administration of arsenic, it being alleged that, in one instance, chocolates in which arsenic had been placed were sent to Mr Martin through the post.