New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1926-09-03
CANTERBURY CASE
"A Love TRIANGLE
British Prosecutor Thus Sums
Up Derham Murder

Canterbury, England, Sept. 3 P,-
A triangle case was unfolded by the
prosecuting attorney today in the
arraignment Of Alphone +. A. Smith
on a charge of numbering John
Thomas Derham at Smiths villa,
Stella Maris, Whitstable.
Smith. a grandson of the late
Hugh Ryan OF Canadian railroad
building fame, is former officer of
the dragon guards and is wealthy.
Derham, who was killed August II,
came of a well known British fam
H..
The prosecutor charged that
Smith. actuated by fierce Jealousy
of Derham, lured him to Stella
Maris with a telegram signed in the
name of Mrs. Smith, the former
Catherine White, and then shot him.
The pretty young wife sat in court
not far from the dead mans aged
father as Attorney Seton Cohen,
representing the director of public
prosecution, outlined his case
Smith, smartly dressed, followed the
proceedings with great alertness
from the dock.
Attorney Cohen indicated that the
two men were friends, of the same
age, and both of Independent means.
Both had been educated at Elton and
later at Cambridge, where they
were great friends. Derham was
married. but lived apart from his
wife. He became a frequent visitor
at Smiths villa and Smith appeared
to become jealous of his friends as
ISOLATION with his wife. On one &C.
casion, said the lawyer, Smith found
4 letter which his wife said she had
received from Derham and he few
into such a rage that he tore her pic
ture from the wall.
Continuing, the lawyer said a
maid was present on the occasion of
that outbreak and that she reported
Smith in his rage cried out, do you
think I am going to let another man
take my wife? No! I will kill them
both! don't care if I am arrested"
The lawyer also read letter
which he said Smith had written to
his wife, one phrase of which was
MY dear girl, this problem can be
solved In one way, removal Of your
lover, Derham, or myself.
with the characteristic cowardice
which that individual has shown
throughout your mean and sordid In
trigue he has removed himself from
his room, fearing. l presume, conse-
quences of visit from me. His
pursuit otyou was and is despicable
and a damnable thing. The whole
thing. is too mean and too disgust
ing for me-"
The lawyer declared that on the
day of the shooting telegram ir
Smiths handwriting was handed In
at the WhiteStable office addressed
to Derham in London and signed
Kathleen, presumably Smiths
wife he said. The telegram read:
, "Will you come for a few hours
tonight. Most urgent. Wire general
post office. Whitestahle,.
Derham went to Smiths villa as
90 invited the lawyer said and found
husband and wife both there. From
the testimony of the wife's sister
Lillian white, 1t would appear 9
quarrel broke out among the three
in the drawing room.
Despite this, the three went out
TO a hotel for dinner. Afterward
they returned to Stella Maris, where
bed had been prepared for Rer-
ham. Miss White testified, according
to the prosecutor, that she heard
Smith say to his wife: II won't have
this other lover Of yours sleeping in
the house"
A little later Miss White heard
disturbing sounds from below
and, running down stairs, saw Smith
lying on the floor with Derham sit
ting on him and striking him on the
head and shoulder with some OBJ
ject Mrs. Smith was trying to pull
Derham from her husband, and fl
nally succeeded.
The prosecuting attorney said
another witness, passing the house
at about this time, heard the report
OF revolver.