READING MURDER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 11 October 1929, Page 5

READING MURDER.

SUSPECT EXAMINED.

IMPORTANT NEW WITNESS. i’ress Association- Electric TeleKraDb-CoDyrigf LONDON, Wednesday. At tlie resunqrtion of the inquest on Alfred Oliver, a tobacconist, of Reading, Philip Drew, an actor, who is suspected of having committed the murder, was subjected to a long examination by the Coroner. lie agreed that he might .have had a few drinks on the night of the murder. It had happened more than once, but ho was not drunk. Asked why ho left the theatre so late on June 22, he answered that so great was his love of the theatre that he often, stayed late to see the scenery moved He often sat in the darkened theatre in the daytime because he loved the atmosphere. Questions put by the foreman, like the Coroner ’s concerned many diverse things. One was about the occasion when he was supposed to have rushed from a hou-Se because fho doctor'' was called in. tt g rC ed it might be a strange but, added. Drew, a strange man.” . Lindo, joint proprietor of the Alonster Theatrical Company, gave evidence ' j that- he knew no man in the profession ■ more honoured, loved and respected than Drew. Air Whittingstall. counsel for Drew, produced a new witness, who gave, evidence that he saw a strange man in the neighbourhood of the crime, and it was not Drew. lie made a statement to that effect to tho police at the time. Tlie Coroner called for the statement, which, after search, was produced. The Coroner sums up to-morrow. —A. and N.Z. P.A. JURY’S VERDICT. (Received Friday, 9.0 ami.) LONDON, Thursday. At the Reading inquest, a verdict of murder by someone unknown was returned. The foreman of the jury announced that the evidence was too conflicting to permit of them definitely establishing any particular person’s 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. —A. and N.Z. P.A. • REMARKABLE SCENES. (Received Friday, 12.30 p.m,) LONDON, Thursday. I Tho jury was 2.J hours considering | it's verdict. There were remarkable demonstrations in the crowded court where Drew was acclaimed a hero and also in the streets, where j x crowd of 4000 accompanied him to his hotel and listened to a fervid speech from tho 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 Airs Lindo I think 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 on the lips, amid cheers. The Lindos say that there is a possibility of their appearance in “The Alonstcr.” Drew said: “I do not want a holiday. I would like to appear in “The Monster” to-night. When I do I shall act as never before. —A. and N.Z. P.A.