Kitty Byron

Overview

Emma Byron, otherwise Kitty Byron, was convicted of the wilful murder of Arthur Reginald Baker and was sentenced to death. She was later granted mercy and her sentence was reduced to life imprisonment. In 1907, her sentence was reduced to one of ten years, of which she served six years.

Background

Emma Byron, otherwise Kitty Byron, was an unemployed milliner’s assistant and the daughter of a brewer. She lived in lodgings in Duke Street, Portland Place with Arthur Reginald Baker. Baker was a stockbroker and was already married.

Arthur Reginald Baker had a drink problem, and the couple frequently rowed. On the evening of 7th November 1902, there was a particularly rowdy quarrel in which Kitty appeared on the landing in her nightdress trying to avoid Arthur’s violent assaults. She was described as 24-year-old Kitty.

The next morning the landlady told the couple to leave. Adrienne Liard was the landlady of 18, Duke Street, Portland Place. She let lodgings and said that the deceased came there by himself about July 21st and occupied a room on the first floor. She said that he initially paid £1 1s. per week. About a week later, Kitty came and occupied the room with him. Liard said that she was not introduced to her. When Baker took the room, he said he wanted it for himself and his wife, who would be coming in a week, and she said she was addressed as “Mrs. Baker.” In October the room was changed for a less expensive one. Liard said that the deceased went out in the mornings, though she did not know if he went to business and he did not go out every morning. She said Kitty used to stop in the house a little later, then go out.

Liard said that on the night of Friday, November 7th, there was some noise in their room. The next day she spoke to Kitty about it and gave the deceased notice to quit. On Monday, November 10th, Baker came to her and had some conversation, and later in the morning Kitty came and said she wished to apologise for the noise they had made in the night. Liard said Kitty stated: “You have given us notice and we have got to go”. Liard responded that they had to go tomorrow Tuesday, but that Baker would stop another week. Liard said the deceased had asked if he might stop for another week and she agreed to it.

Liard said Kitty told her: “Well, next week you will hear something very dreadful.” Liard asked what it was, and Kitty replied: “Well, Madam, don’t you tell him if I tell you, because he bangs me so,” and then said there would be a divorce with him and his wife. Liard said she asked why Kitty supported all the ill-treatment he gave her when Kitty was not his wife, and Kitty said: “I love him so.” Liard asked why Kitty did not go to work. Kitty said she had lost her character and could not get any work now. Liard said Kitty said that Baker used to come alter her and she “lost the whole of my character.” Liard said she told Kitty Baker had spoken to her and said she was not his wife and “no class.” Kitty replied: “I am a brewer's daughter.”

Liard said Kitty stated: “Because I love him, and I have lost my character, and I cannot get an work”. Liard said she asked Kitty why she was always screaming, and Kitty replied: “Well, how can I help it when he comes and strangles me, and puts his hand on me like that; how can I help it”. Liard said she had not heard Kitty screaming constantly, but she said she had that night, and she also testified that Baker was drunk nearly every day from July to November. Liard said Baker was a brute to Kitty and that when Baker was sober he was a perfect gentleman, but she said he was very seldom sober.

Liard said she had asked Kitty why she lived with a brute like that because Baker was always knocking her down; she testified that as soon as Baker came home, quarrelling began and then “you heard a bang.” Liard said that when Kitty said she “cannot leave him because I love him,” she spoke very earnestly. Liard said: “I said, ‘Is it possible, what do you live with a brute like him for?’—it was than that she said ‘Because I love him, and I have lost my character, and I cannot get an work’”. Liard said that when she told Kitty Baker said she was no class, Kitty replied that she was “a brewer's daughter.”

Liard said on cross-examination that she had said before the Coroner that the deceased had been kicking up a row, and that at 7 p.m. on Friday Baker was drunk while Kitty was sober. She testified that Kitty showed her her hat which he had torn, and that all the bed was nearly on the floor and his stick as well. She said she had never seen Kitty intoxicated. She testified that the first thing in the morning a servant used to go and fetch brandy for Baker to drink and that habit existed practically all the time he was in Liard’s house.

Liard said Kitty was to go next morning to her sister’s. She stated that when Liard told Kitty Baker would stop another week, Kitty said: “He wants to send me to-morrow to my sister; all I know I see.”

Liard also testified that she had heard noises in their room before November 7th, but not screams.

The offence

On the morning of the Lord Mayor’s Show, 10th November, Kitty bought a strong-bladed knife.

Around 1pm, Kitty sent a telegram to Baker, at the Stock Exchange where he worked, from the Lombard Street post office. The telegram message was given in court as: “Dear Reg, I want you a moment, importantly. Kitty.” Another version recorded: “Dear Reg, Want you immediate importantly. Kitty.”

When Baker arrived, a furious argument began, which spilled out onto the street. Kitty then brought out the knife from inside her muff and plunged it into Baker twice. Witness evidence described two knife blows: one on the left side of Baker’s head and one towards his breast.

After the stabbing, Kitty collapsed sobbing over his body.

Witnesses said Baker was found lying in Post Office Court and he was treated after being taken to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.

Investigation

The investigation included statements by several witnesses at the Lombard Street Post Office and in Post Office Court.

Joseph Frayer testified that on Monday, November 10th, about 1.15 p.m., Kitty came in by the King William Street entrance, spoke to him, used the public telegram writing facilities, and asked for an envelope. He said he gave her an envelope, she enclosed what she had written, closed it and returned it to the desk to address it. He said she had a conversation with him involving Lord Mayor’s Day and that she said she had no wish to see it. Frayer testified that when he was called away, she was calm at first, then excited later. He said that when Frayer was absent about ten minutes, Kitty went out of the office, returned, and asked for the reply, and then was “rather excited.” He also testified that he thought she was hurried when she first came in.

Phillip Henry Morley testified that he was an overseer at the Lombard Street Post Office and that on November 10th about 1.15 p.m. Kitty wrote at a telegraph desk. Morley said she handed him an envelope addressed “Reg. Baker, Esq., Westralian Market, Stock Exchange” and that the message inside was: “Dear Reg., I want you a moment, importantly. Kitty”. Morley said Kitty asked that it might be sent by express messenger, paid the charge for that, and received change. Morley testified that he handed the envelope to Mr. Chivers.

Arthur Stehen Chivers testified that on November 10th he was a counter clerk at the Lombard Street Post Office and was handed the envelope to have it expressed. He said he gave it to a messenger boy named Coleman, who went away with it. Chivers said he saw Kitty at the office directly after 2 p.m., she asked to remain at the end of the counter, and she appeared worried and was brooding over trouble. He said she leaned on the counter and had a muff, which was below the counter when she approached so he could not see it.

William Robert Coleman testified that he was a telegraph messenger at the Lombard Street Post Office. He said that on Monday, November 10th, he received an express message to deliver, took the envelope to the Stock Exchange, and left the post office at about 1.24 p.m. He said he could not get the message to the addressee due to a considerable crowd and that he remained about fifteen minutes trying to deliver it. He returned and arrived about 2.5 p.m. and then saw Kitty at the post office. He testified that he told Kitty he could not deliver the message because the gentleman was in the reading room. He said Kitty told him to take it back again and try to deliver it.

Coleman said he was successful in getting to Baker, he returned to the post office with Baker, and that they entered the post office. He said the prisoner was not in the office then and that Baker spoke to clerks about an extra waiting payment that was demanded. He said the extra charge was only 2d., and Baker refused to pay it. He said Baker left the office, then Coleman saw Kitty in the office. He said he did not see her come in. Coleman testified that later he saw Kitty and Baker in conversation and they moved towards the Lombard Street door. Coleman said that Baker went out first and Kitty followed about a yard behind. He said he observed three steps leading into the court outside the office, that Baker went down them, and that Kitty paused on the steps and then followed him. He said he saw what he thought was a knife in Kitty’s hand after she had paused and begun to go down the steps, and he called out. He said he did not see what happened next and that he later looked out and saw Baker lying up against the wall. Coleman said he did not see any blood and did not know where Kitty was.

John Finn testified that he was a clerk at the Lombard Street Post Office and that on November 10th about 1.55 p.m. he saw Kitty on the top step leading to the post office door in Lombard Street. He said she looked through the glass door several times, then came in and asked: “When will that boy be back”. Finn testified that after Coleman returned and said the message could not be delivered, Kitty said: “Take it back, Mr. Baker will come at once when he knows I am waiting”. Finn said Kitty remained in the office about fifteen or twenty minutes, walked up and down, and looked at notices. Finn said that when she left the office a short conversation occurred, then Finn described hearing Mr. Dunn explain the 2d. due because Coleman had had to wait more than ten minutes, and Kitty replied: “All right, old boy, I am worth 2d.” Finn testified that he saw Baker come in through the Lombard Street door and go straight for Kitty. Finn said Baker said something he did not hear, and Kitty responded: “You must pay the 2d., pay it with this,” and put forward her right hand with a florin, trying to press it into Baker’s waistcoat pocket. Finn testified that Baker said: “I shall not,” backing towards the Lombard Street door, and Kitty followed holding the florin out while attempting to press it into his pocket. Finn said they went through the door where there are three steps, Baker went down, Kitty paused momentarily on the top step and then sprang in the direction of the posting boxes. Finn testified that he did not go to the door and remained behind the counter.

William Martin Dunne testified that he was a clerk in the Lombard Street Post Office and was there shortly after two o’clock on November 10th. He said he remembered Coleman returning with the letter that could not be delivered and that Kitty was in the office then. He said Kitty told the boy to take the message back, and he returned with Baker. Dunne said he had a conversation with Baker about the extra charge and told him there was 2d. to pay owing to the delay in delivering the message. He said Baker replied: “There is 2d. to pay, owing to the delay in the delivery” and Baker said: “There is 2d. to pay, owing to the delay in the delivery”; that Baker said he would not pay it. Dunne said Kitty then came in; Dunne told her there was 2d. to pay and Kitty said: “That is all right, old boy, I am worth 2d.” Dunne testified that Baker then came in and said to her: “You owe the post office some money, you had better pay it.” Dunne said Kitty replied “No, you pay it,” and Baker said he would have nothing to do with it. Dunne testified that Kitty pressed a silver coin on Baker and asked him to pay the 2d. with it, and that as he pushed his arm as she went to put it into his waistcoat pocket, she seemed to insist upon giving him the coin. Dunne said he heard Kitty say: “I will go out, too,” and then he heard an exclamation by Coleman.

Arthur Stewart Wieldand testified that he was an accountant and on November 10th about 2.30 p.m. he saw Baker standing near the letterboxes in Post Office Court and then heard an argument. He said he heard Baker reply loudly: “No, I will not,” and heard Kitty repeat and then heard Baker reply more pronouncedly: “No, I will not.” Wieldand said Kitty rushed off the steps toward Baker and that he noticed a muff on one of her hands. He said Kitty appeared to be striking rapidly and that it appeared to him the blows fell more particularly on the right side of Baker’s head. He said that when he heard or saw something gleam, he realized it was a serious matter and he described two rapid blows with what he thought was a hat pin. He said a second blow had fallen before he got up, and Baker fell down; he said Kitty fell with him. He testified that a man named Lockie was holding Kitty by the wrists and that he did not see a weapon lying on the ground at that moment.

On cross-examination, Wieldand said he heard Kitty call out, “Oh, Reggie, Reggie, let me kiss him!” He said he had imperfectly heard conversation and that he heard her ask something imploringly and that he responded angrily. He said he could not say for sure which hand had the knife but thought it was the right hand. He also said his impression at the time was that she did not intend to hurt him at all, and he did not hear anything said about a knife while watching.

William Henry Lockie testified that he was a labourer and was passing along Post Office Court about 2.30 on Monday, November 10th. He said he heard a cry, turned, and saw Kitty and Baker near the wall opposite the post office. He said Baker had his back to the wall and Kitty was in front of him. Lockie testified that he saw Kitty’s hand come down twice with a knife in it, with one blow on the left side of Baker’s head and one towards his breast. After the second blow, he said Baker slid down the wall onto the ground. Lockie testified that he ran and caught hold of Kitty’s left hand, and that he heard the knife drop to the ground after he caught hold of her hand. He said someone picked it up and handed it to a constable, and he said the knife was open when it was picked up. He said while holding Kitty’s hand, she said: “Let me go to see Reggie, my dear Reggie,” and he said: “No, you have done enough now”. Lockie testified he held her until the police came and saw a straw hat on the ground that he thought was a woman’s hat and a brown muff nearby.

Lockie testified on cross-examination that the knife was in Kitty’s right and that when she said “My Reggie, my Reggie!” she seemed dazed and silly.

Walter Thomas Hunt testified that on November 10th he was on duty and was called to Post Office Court. He said he saw the body of Baker lying on the ground and sent for an ambulance. He said the prisoner was being held by Lockie. Hunt testified that he heard Kitty call out: “Let me kiss my Reggie, let me kiss my husband.” He said a post-office clerk named Russell handed him the knife, which was open. Hunt said he took Kitty to the station with the knife. Hunt testified that she did not say anything on the way and that she was very excited, trying to throw her arms about and wrench away.

Edward John Russell testified that he was a counter clerk at the Lombard Street Post Office. He said that on November 10th he heard Coleman say something and went into the court outside. He testified that he saw Baker lying on his right side in a huddled-up position on the far side of the court, and that there was an open knife on the ground. Russell said he picked it up and handed it to a constable. He said that before the police came he raised Baker up, and that as he did so a 2s. piece fell to the ground. He testified about wounds and that Baker was unconscious and did not recover consciousness, and he said his belief now was that Baker was dead. Russell testified that he noticed two wounds on Baker’s head, one over the left temple and the other over his right eye, and some mud on him. He also testified there was a slit in Baker’s jacket just above the breast, over the heart. He said Kitty was being held by Lockie and he heard her say: “Let me get to him, let me kiss my Reggie.” He said she was in a very excited condition.

Arrest and custody

Frederick Fox, a City Police Inspector, testified that on November 10th Kitty was brought in at 2.45 p.m. and that later he learned Baker was dead. Fox said that at 5 p.m. he told Kitty that the man she had stabbed in Post Office Court was dead and that she would be charged with murdering him by stabbing him several times about the body with a knife. He said Kitty need not make any answer to the charge, but whatever answer she made would be taken down in writing and used for or against her. Fox testified that Kitty said: “I killed him willingly, and he deserved it, and the sooner I am killed the better.” Fox testified that at 5.40 p.m. he again visited her and she said: “Inspector, I wish to say something to you; I bought the knife to hit him but I did not know I was killing him.”

On cross-examination, Fox said when Kitty was brought to the station she was not in an extremely agitated condition but very excited and looked very determined. Fox testified that Kitty did not have to be put to bed and a bed was provided at 5 o’clock, and that it was an exceptional case. Fox clarified that Kitty’s first statement was not based on the word “agitated” and corrected his wording about her state.

Matilda Cooper testified that she was matron at Cloak Lane Police Station and searched Kitty, finding on her a fur muff, a pawn ticket, 15s. 6d., and a bundle of letters.

Trial

The trial resulted in a guilty verdict.

Several witnesses described events leading up to the stabbing, including knife purchase and postal arrangements.

James Moore testified that he was a cutler and silversmith of 211, Oxford Street. He said that on Monday, November 10th, about 12.30 p.m. Kitty came into his shop wanting to see knives. He testified that she asked for a long or strong single-bladed knife and that he showed her a long two bladed knife with what was called a flush spring. He said that when he opened the long blade and looked up, Kitty was trying to close it. Moore said: “Oh, you will not be able to close it, it has a lock.” Moore said Kitty replied: “Oh, I do not know, I have firm grip, see!” and grasped his hand. He asked if it was for her own use, and he said she replied “Yes; is it nice and sharp?” He said he showed another knife and produced it. Moore said he told her that it was not a lady’s knife and that she asked the price, which he told her was 6s. Moore testified she asked if he did not have one for about 5s. and he said no. Moore testified he said he would let her have it for 5s. 6d., and that she bought it at that price. He said she again asked if it was nice and sharp and that he thought she paid him in silver. Moore testified she asked if he would have it in paper, and she said: “Oh, no,” and put it into her muff. He said the knife was closed then and she left the shop.

On cross-examination, Moore testified that police communicated with him on the morning of the 12th and that he served in the shop himself.

Kitty did not testify. The defence pleaded manslaughter, but the judge did not agree and summed up in favour of a murder verdict.

The jury returned a guilty verdict on the charge of murder with a strong recommendation to mercy.

Sentencing

The jury verdict was accompanied by the strongest possible recommendation to mercy, and Kitty was sentenced to death on December 17th, 1902. The death sentence was before Mr. Recorder at Old Bailey on Wednesday, December 17th, 1902.

The Home Secretary received a 15,000 name petition asking for a reprieve and granted it. Her sentence was reduced to life imprisonment. In 1907, it was reduced to one of ten years, of which she served six years.

Outcome

Kitty Byron was convicted of murder for stabbing Arthur Reginald Baker and was sentenced to death on December 17, 1902. She obtained a reprieve, after which her sentence was reduced to life imprisonment, and in 1907 it was reduced to one of ten years with six years served.

Other details

People named

• Arthur Reginald Baker — deceased; Kitty’s cohabitee; a stockbroker and already married; died after being stabbed in Post Office Court.
• Emma Byron, otherwise Kitty Byron — defendant.
• Adrienne Liard — landlady of 18, Duke Street, Portland Place.
• Isabel Kingett — servant to Madam Liard at Duke Street.
• Raphael Liard — son of Madam Liard.
• James Moore — cutler and silversmith of 211, Oxford Street.
• Joseph Frayer — counter clerk at the Lombard Street Post Office.
• Phillip Henry Morley — overseer at the Lombard Street Post Office.
• Arthur Stehen Chivers — counter clerk at the Lombard Street Post Office.
• William Robert Coleman — telegraph messenger at the Lombard Street Post Office.
• John Finn — clerk at the Lombard Street Post Office.
• William Martin Dunne — clerk in the Lombard Street Post Office.
• Arthur Stewart Wieland — accountant of 10, Walbrook.
• William Henry Lockie — labourer.
• Walter Thomas Hunt — (386 City) officer who was called to Post Office Court.
• Edward John Russell — counter clerk at the Lombard Street Post Office.
• Francis Ernest Baker — brother of the deceased; employed on the Stock Exchange.
• John Mann — (526 City) who took the deceased to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.
• Frederick Fox — City Police Inspector.
• Matilda Cooper — matron at Cloak Lane Police Station.
• James Finlay Alexander — house surgeon at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.
• Frederick Gordon Brown — M.R.C.S., surgeon to the City Police.

Roles at trial

• Prosecuted: MR. CHARLES MATHEW and MR. BODKIN
• Defended: MR. DICKENS, K.C., MR. TRAVERS HUMPHREYS and MR. BOYD

Quotations preserved

• Kitty Byron said to the landlady: “I'll kill him before the day is out.”
• Kitty Byron to Liard about reporting: “Well, Madam, don't you tell him if I tell you, because he bangs me so”
• Kitty Byron to Liard about love: “I love him so”
• Kitty Byron to Liard: “I am a brewer's daughter”
• Kitty Byron to Liard about illness and escape: “Well, how can I help it when he comes and strangles me, and puts his hand on me like that; how can I help it”
• Kitty Byron: “He wants to send me to-morrow to my sister; all I know I see.”
• Kitty Byron in the post office: “When will that boy be back”
• Kitty Byron to Finn: “Take it back, Mr.
• Kitty Byron about 2d: “All right, old boy, I am worth 2d.”
• Kitty Byron pushing the florin: “You must pay the 2d., pay it with this,”
• Baker about florin: “I shall not,”
• Kitty Byron to Lockie: “Let me go to see Reggie, my dear Reggie”
• Lockie: “No, you have done enough now”
• Kitty Byron at the scene: “Let me kiss my Reggie, let me kiss my husband”
• Kitty Byron at the scene: “Let me get to him, let me kiss my Reggie”
• Kitty Byron to Inspector Fox: “I killed him willingly, and he deserved it, and the sooner I am killed the better”
• Kitty Byron to Inspector Fox: “Inspector, I wish to say something to you; I bought the knife to hit him but I did not know I was killing him”
• Kitty Byron to Russell in court (as relayed): “My Reggie, my Reggie!”