Sentence of death was passed at the Old Bailey on Jan. 18 on Walter Ernest Smee, 37, a fishmonger, of Prescellyplace, Edgware, for the murder of Mrs, Alice Mary Hand, with whom he had lived. He pleaded not guilty, States the "Daily Telegraph and Morning Post."
It was stated that Smee had apparently suggested that his wife and three children should join him and Mrs. Hand at a house he took at Edgware.
Mr. G. B. McClure, prosecuting, said that Mrs. Hand was living apart from her husband, and Smee, for nearly two years, had been living apart from his wife.
On Nov. 24 Smee's wife and children arrived at the house at Edgware with the furniture, continued Mr. Mc-Duro, When the furniture man went to the door he heard a scream, and saw through a window a man standing over a woman with his hands round her throat.
The police were sent for. Mrs. Hand was-found dead with head injuries, covered with a blanket. A wire round her neck had apparently been put there after death.
Div. Det.-Inspr. Spash said that he found a number of affectionate letters from Smee to Mrs. Hand. He was passionately in love with her.
Smee, in the witness-box, said that in 1932 Mrs. Hand and her children had rooms ut his place. His wife was taken to hospital, and he fell in love with Mrs. Hand. He had been in love with her ever since.
He tried to get rid of his infatuation for Mrs. Hand, but was unable to do
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