BYFLEET MURDER CASE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19056, 8 July 1924, Page 9

BYFLEET MURDER CASE

VAQUIER ON TRIAL CASE FOR THE DEFENCE. LONDON. July 4. At the Vaquier trial, the case for the prosecution has concluded. The accused gave evidence that he was on friendly terms with the deceased, who had not complained of his (Vaquier’s) relations with Mrs. Jones, I but on the contrary suggested that he :should take her to the theatre. He I met at tho Byfleet hotel Mrs. Jones’ 'solicitor, who was on most familiar [terms with her, visiting her every Sunday. Vaquier declared that he purchased strychnine for the solicitor, who said he wanted to poison a dog, but could not purchase the stuff himself. Vaquier falsely signed the chemist’s register on the solicitor’s suggestion. Counsel at this stage informed the Judge that the solicitor’s name was Bruce Miller, and an order was made that he should be subpoenaed. Vaquier, continuing, said that Mrs. Jones, after tasting, threw the contents of the salts bottle into the fire. He tried to prevent her. and told the servant to keep the empty bottle for t,he doctor, but she, through a misunderstanding, handed the bottle over to him and he placed it in a drawer. Cross-examined, Vaquier protested ‘that he did not love, but pitied, Mrs. [Jones. He had less reason to murder the deceased than she had. The first time the solicitor spoke to hint was when he asked Vaquier to buy strychnine. A VERDICT OF GUILTY. REMARKABLE SCENE. LONDON, July 6. There was a remarkable scope at the close of the trial of Vaquier at Guildlord. The jury, after ninety minutes’ [retirement, returned a verdict of '“guilty.” ' Asked why the death sentence should not be passed, Vaquier exclaimed excitedly: “I protest. It is an iniquitous [verdict. I swear on the graves of my [father and mother that I am innocent.” Mr. Justice Avory. in passing the death sentence, described it as a wickel, detestable crime. [ Vaquier began calmly in addressing [the Court, but quickly lost his self-con-t ol and screamed out protests against 'English methods in the trial of a forloigner. Turning round in a frenzy he Struck a warder and struggled violently when others seined him. He was carried out protesting shrilly, and declaring that his counsel had det him down. Mr. Justice Avory, in summing up. insisted that it did not follow that bejeause a woman had been unfaithful to 'her husband that her evidence never I thereafter was to be believed. Tf she ihad been in any way responsible for Jones’ death was it likely she would have so rapidly administered an emetic and summoned a doctor? The. former relations between Vaquier and Mrs. Jones, particularly to a member of the Latin races, might be a most powerful motive for his desire for Jones’ death. In response to Vaquier’s request to postpone the sentence Mr Justice Avory said he had been tried in accordance with the law, which was more favourable to foreigner interests than to any other country’s.