The Washington times., 1920-12-23

TO JEALOUSY
London Jury Returns Murder
and Suicide Verdict in Cap
tain Kelly Tragedy.
By FORBES w. FAIRBAIRN.
Universal Service.

LONDON, Dec. 23.-The closing
chapter in one of London's most in
teresting love tragedies was written
Yesterday afternoon when n West
minister coroner's jury returned a
verdict that Capt. George Augustus
Kelly, of New York, former army
aviator, was guilty of murder and
suicide.
GUILTY OF MURDER.
The jury found him guilty Of KILL
ing Sophia "Babs" Taylor. beautiful
actress and dancer, in her fashionable
St James apartment before he turned
the pistol on himself last Friday
night
Kelly, handsome and fascinating
dancer, leading a meteoric career as
man about town, fitting from position
to position, at one time a dance hall
manager. frequenting the best hotels,
re staurants and night clubs, was
known as Miss Taylor's husband
Unable to burn the candle at both
ends, finally unemployed and without
resources, Kelly began to drink, and
later TOOK 10 drugs.
Infiamed with jealousy when nc
was finally rebuffed by Miss Taylor,
and respondent on account of a lack
of funds, Kelly lay in wait for his
sweetheart Friday night.
When he learned of her friendship
for Captain Allan Leslie at 4
Brighton fashionable seaside resort.
he surprised her in her fiat. accused
her of infidelity, shot her, and then
killed himself.
The shooting occurred in the pres
eEcc Of Miss Taylor's maid. Miss
Taylor died in the hospital.
BLACK AND TAN TEsTIFIEs.
Edward George Breen. of Massa-
chusctts. a member of the Royal Air
Force. and recently with the Black
and Tans in Ireland. testified.
Kelly complained that he was
unable to sleep, and frequently
walked the streets all night. He was
generally worried all the time about
his wife. "Babs." and told me that
as he was unable to maintain suit
able home Tor her he had nothing
left to live for.
II last saw Kelly on the day Of the
tragedy. He told me he was going
away for the weekend and wanted
10 DoTTOW money. we NlTtu lOBflUtI
in the evening. Kelly first refusing
to enter the restaurant until he was
sure Cabs was not there. After din
ner we went home and had q drink.
Kelly was quite sober when lie left me.
I never knew he was n drug fieNd."
CAPTAIN Leslie testified that he met
her at "A ball, where he gave her
money and arranged with her to 60
to Brighton. He said:
"She told me she was afraid Of
isellv. so she went to n hotel. when
called al her flat Friday found
Kelly dead and Miss Taylor dying"
DENIED DANCER USED DRUGS.
The maid described the tragedy.
She denied that Miss Taylor used CO.
cainc. The police found a letter in
"Baabc's" room from Kelly, in which
he wrote:
mo word regarding tonight. Surely
your EVENING" are not so priceless but
that YOU could spare me one. TN
less YOU assist me you cannot expect
anything from me. Help me out OF
the country and get "A new start so
that | can he a man.
81 wish we could have fallen Inv love
with each other, we have gotten along
so splendidiy. Ny mothers address
is Mrs. G.. w. Kelly 20 Morningdale
Drive. New York. You may droy her
line and tell her how hard have
tried to find work. God bless you.
GEORGE"
The police also found large quaint
ties Of cocaine In Miss Taylor's rooms.
Ingilby eddie, the coroner, stated:
Miss Taylor has been living with
Kelly, leading the sort Of life which
people lead IN clubs and drinking
about the restaurants the sort "
life no one can lead who docs not
have much money