The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1917-07-14 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

FULL REPORT OF THE EVIDENCE.  At the Chester Assizes on Wednesday, before Mr Justice Avciry, William-Thomas Hodgson, aged 34, described as a- draper, appeared for trial on the charge of having murdered ,his wife Margaret Alderson Hodgson and his four-year-014 Auld, Margaret Hodgson, on April 16. On the evening of that date the murdered woman and child were found lying dead with their heads battered in the scullery of the house where they resided at 16, Central Parkavenue, Liscard. The crime caused a thrill of horror in the district owing to its extremely brutal character, and- not a little alarm was occasioned by the rumours circulated in connection with it. The prisoner Hodgson, who was employed as a buyer by Messrs. Robb Brae., of Birkenhead, aim taken into custody the same evening, end he declared when charged that he was not guilty of the murder of his wife and child. The interest which the case has aroused was reflected by the large attendance in court, many ladies being present. The prisoner Hodgson, who was neatly dressed, presented a smart appearnce. is three months' waiting for trial did not appear to have affected him, and the strain of the proceedings which he followed with quiet interest did not manifest itself in, his demeanour.  Mr. Ellis Griffith, KC., M.P.. and Mr. Trevor Lloyd (instructed by Mr. G, Livsty. Deputy Town Clerk of Wallasey) represented the Crown, and Mr Lindon Riley and Mr. Ralph Sutton (instructed by Mr. J. A. Behn, Liverpool) appeared for the defence.  chen and noticed the fire was .aut. On opening the scullery door she saw „Mrs. bludgeon lying, on, The floor, and she went into the street and inforMed a man named Wells. , 'Cross-examined by; Mr. Lindop witness said the voices seemed to come from the back kitchen, and at the time they .did not .suggest to witness any sign of distress or trouble. Mrs. Hodgson had told witness that the deceased child was very averse to sleeping alone, and on that account she used to sleepirwith the little girl while Hodgson slept with the baby boy in another room. On the evening of April 16 the prisoner came to her hoase. and she told him what had occurred. He seemed very dintressed, and had some supper before he went to another house in the avenue to which the little boy had been taken.  William Samuel Wells, bricklayer, of 3, Royston-avenue, Egremont, stated that shortly after 6 p.m. on April 16, in consequence of a communication made to him, he went to Hodgeon's house, and going first into the dining-room he saw an open portmanteau containing a nuotbfr of articles lying on the floor near the door. On going into the scullery he saw the bodies of the woman and child lying in a pool of blood on the floor. Hearing a child crying upstairs he brought the boy Cyril down and handed him over to a young woman named Hannah Lancaster. who .took the child to No. 2'2, Central Parkavenue.  Hannah Lancaster, a domestic servant. was called to give evidence sith regard to the child Cyril. but the Judge remarked that it was not necessary as there could not be any dispute that the child had been without food or attention day.