TRAGEDY IN A FLAT.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18661, 13 June 1932, Page 7

TRAGEDY IN A FLAT.

ACTREBS OHARGED WITH MURDEA CASE FOR PROSECUTION. SUICIDE DECLARED IMPOSSIBLE!. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received June 13, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, June 11. Crowds of fashionably dressed women formed a queue 'Outside the Westminster Police Court yesterday, when Mrs E'lvera Dolores Barney, an actress, and the daughter of Sir John Mullens, was charged with the murder of Mr Michael Stephen, the son of a •bank manager. The prosecuting counsel related how the neighbours early In the morning heard 'Mrs Barney scream: “Get out of my house; I hate you; I will shoot you." They then heard shots and cries of anguish, Mrs Barney exclaiming: “I love you so, chicken, come hack. I’ll do anything you ask me.” A dootor found Mrs Barney kneeling beside a body kissing it and saying, "I love you.” She was In evident tressMrs Barney's statement to the police was that she quarrelled with Stephen about a woman. He attempted to take a revolver from her, and the weapon went off during the struggle. Sir B. 11. Spilsbury (hon. patholo-' gist for the Home Office) would give evidence that it was not impossible, but extremely Improbable, for the wound to have been caused accidentally or for the deceased to have shot himself. A gun expert would give evidence in support of the theory that it was impossible for the deceased to pull the trigger and inflict a wound of this character and in such a position. The Crown was also tendering a second charge of shooting at Stephen with 'lntent to do grievous bodily harm on May 19. Accused was remanded till Saturday, June 18.

The dead body of Michael Stephen was found in the luxurious flat of Mrs Baraev at Kensington. He had been shot In the chest- A brother of deceased stated that the latter’s debts had been paid frequently by his father. Michael had denied living with Mrs Barney, ■ whose husband is in the United States. Tho tragedy is stated another result of notorious night life in drinking and dance dens frequented by well-to-do people on the fringe of society.