CINEMA MURDER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1934, Page 30 (Supplement)

CINEMA MURDER.

YOUTH PLEADS GUILTY. DEATH SENTENCE PASSED. STORY OF UNFORTUNATE LIFE. John Frederick Stockwell, 19, a cinema attendant, was sentenced to death it the (Hd Bailey for the murder of Mr. Dudley Hoard, manager of the Palace Cinema. Bow, E. At the opening of the trial the accused ! pleaded not guilty. After counsel tor the Crown had made his opening statement it was stated that Stockwell desired to withdraw this and plead guilty. In addressing the jury Mr. .Justice Goddarcl revealed that, "knowing that some suc-h course might bo taken’’ <a reference to the plea of guilty), ne visited the scene of the murder so that he aught murder toc^Aved>s °' vn account of the G - B- McClure, prosecuting, recalled Stockwell had been an attendant at the lalaee Theatre. On the morning of August 7 Air. Hoard, who lived there with his a\ ife, was found unconscious with tenable head injuries which had been inflicted with some weapon like an axe. Ihe motive tor the crime, it was suggested, vas robbery, and £B9 was missing from the safe. The next day Stockwell took rooms at Lowestoft, and later went to Yarmouth, where, suspicions being •aroused at the hotel where he • stayed in the name of bnutii. the police were called. Stockwell was taken to the station, and jf ' va Y state d to the police officer: Don t hold me so tight. My name is Stockwell. not Smith. I know I am wanted for robbery.” At the police station he confessed to an inspector that he had committed the murder. On his way to London Stockwell made a statement describing how he went to the cinema with an axe under his coat, attacked Mr. and Mrs. Hoard, and took money from the safe. Written Plea of Guilty. After Air. McClure’s opening Mr. Fail, solicitor for the defence, had a whispered conversation with Stockwell, and afterwards spoke to Air. Frederick Levy, counsel for the defence. Air. Levy then said Stockwell desired to withdraw the pica of not guilty and to plead guilty. Mr. Justice Goddard: Have 3*ou received direct instructions from your client?—Yes. in writing. A written statement was shown to the judge, who ordered it to be handed to Stockwell, and asked him, “Is that your signature?” “Yes,” replied Stockwell. The Judge: You understand what you are doing?—Yes. The clerk of the court (to Stockwell): You have pleaded not guilty to this indictment. Do you wish to alter that plea?—

What do you say now?—Guilty, my lord. Addressing the Court, Mr. Levy said that the judge would appreciate the oeavy burden on counsel for the defence when his client pleaded guilty to a charge of murder. He would ask the jury if they could possibly see their way to add some recommendation to their verdict. He

“Although one is faced with the brutality of the murder, one has to consider the man who has done the murder. You have before you a boy of 19. who from the acre of 11 had no protected childhood. His father was killed in action when he was ?ne year old, and his mother died when he was 11. He was thrown upon the world and had to depend upon relatives. “I know what your lordship’s duty is. I know the terrible duty upon your shoulders. T do believe if some expression made by the jury listening to this somewhat extraordinary case is forwarded to another quarter, something may Happen 1 which will save this boy of 19 from the 1 inevitable.” Addressing the jury, Mr. Justice Goddard said that they had heard Stockwell. who was represented by a solicitor and an able and experienced counsel, state ‘hat he desired to withdraw his plea of nut guilty and to plead guilty. “It is an unusual course, but I see no reason why I should not permit that course to be taken.” the judge continued. “You have heard learned counsel fir the Crown read to you a statement which this boy made when he was arrested. In this he made a full confession of his crime, accompanied by details which can only have been known to the person who committed it. “Knowing that some such course might be taken as has been taken, I may tell vou I took the precaution myself of visiting the scene of this murder, so that. 1 could see, as far as I was able to do. that the account which Stockwell gave of bis movements was a possible and indeed a pi obable one. I am satisfied about it.” “Your duty now is that you return a formal verdict of guilty. Maybe vou will return a recommendation, as representatives of the country, or maybe vou will not.” Jury’s Recommendation. After a few moments’ deliberation in court the foreman of the jury announced that they found Stockwell guilty, and strongly recommended him to 'mercy, “taking into consideration the parent'll guidance which he never received.”

The Judge: I will see that your expression of opinion will be sent to the proper authority. The clerk then asked Stockwell if lie had anything to say before sentence of death was passed. Stockwell, in a firm voice, replied, "Yes, 1 am deeply sorry for this tragedy.” Mr. Justice Goddard, addressing Stockwell before passing sentence of death, said ho had allowed the plea of not guilty to be withdrawn because: “Firstly, because you are in the hands of experienced counsel, and I am fully satisfied that you know the course y ju aic taking and its consequences. “Secondly, I have had a report from the medical officer at Brixton Prison, and I am fully satisfied that you are sane and iu full possession of your faculties. “Thirdly, you made a full confession on arrest, which was amply corroborated by other facts in the case, and showed chat there could be no possible doubt as to your guilt. “Fourthly, if any ray of light is to be found in this dark and tragic story it is that by your confession and the course you are now taking you are showing some remorse for a crime as terrible as any recorded even in the grim annals of this “Aty duty is to pass upon you the only sentence which the law provides.” The judge then pronounced sentence of death. Stockwell stood rigidly at attention between two warders, and after the chaplain’s “Amen” had been uttered he turned and walked firmly down the steps to the cells. An application that he should be allowed to see some relatives was granted by the judge.