THE NOTTINGHAM JOURNAL

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England

14 April 1934

(page 4)

Verdict for Defendants in

Black Magic Libel Action.

SCATHING COMMENT BY JUDGE.

DREADFUL—HORRIBLE—BLASPHEMOUS.

“TIGER WOMAN.”

STORY OF FIGHT IN THE TEMPLE.

Judgment for all defendants with costs. Stay of execution refused.

This was the verdict yesterday in the action for libel brought by Mr. Aleister Crowley against Miss Hamnett [Nina Hamnett] in respect of statements in her book, and against the publishers and printers.

Before Mr. Crowley’s counsel addressed the court a juryman said: “The jury wish to know whether this is a correct time for us to intervene.

Mr. Justice Swift: You cannot stop the case as against the defendants. You may stop it against the plaintiff when Mr. Eddy has said everything he wants to say.

“Abominable Stuff.”

At the end of Mr. Eddy’s speech Mr. Justice Swift asked the jury if they were of the same mind as intimated earlier.

“I thought that everything which was vicious and bad had been produced at one time or another before me,” he said.

“I have learnt in this case that we can always learn something more if we live long enough. I have never heard such dreadful, horrible, blasphemous and abominable stuff as that which has been produced by the man who describes himself to you as the greatest living poet.

“Are you of the same opinion still?

The foreman said that the jury were unanimous they found a verdict for the defendants.

Judgment was entered for all the defendants with costs. Mr. Justice Swift said that there was no reflection upon Mr. Harper.

Mr. Eddy asked for a stay of execution.

Mr. Justice Swift: No, Mr. Eddy, it was a plain question of fact for the jury.

Summoned to Sicily.

When the court opened in the morning, resuming his cross-examination of Mrs. Sedgwick [Betty May], Mr. J. P. Eddy (for plaintiff) asked: “Immediately before your marriage to Raoul Loveday would your life be fairly described as drink, drugs and immorality?”—No.

Mrs. Sedgwick said that one morning a communication came from Mr. Crowley to her husband summoning him to Cefalu.

Mr. Eddy: Did your husband tell you that Mr. Crowley wanted to give you both a chance in Sicily and to enable you to live a clean life there?—No.

At the abbey there were two mattresses in the room, and her husband slept on one. He was not allowed to be husband.

Mr. Eddy then cross-examined Mrs. Sedgwick on her evidence regarding the “terrible sacrifice of a cat.” Is there a word of truth in it? he asked.

Mrs. Sedgwick: Absolutely true—everything about the cat is true. There was a table as an altar in the Temple and it was that the cat ran. It ran over the circle and tried to make for a bedroom, but it was cut so badly that it didn’t know what to do or where to go.

Seized a Revolver.

Mr. Eddy: You were living in the house from November, 1922 to March, 1923?—Yes.

With your husband?—Not altogether because I was turned out.

When were you turned out?—I can’t remember. It was near his death, anyway.

Mr. Eddy referred to a passage in the book in which Mrs. Sedgwick said:

“He (Mr. Crowley) ordered me to go and there was a terrific scene. I should have said before that there were several loaded revolvers which used to lie about the Abbey. They were very necessary for we never knew when brigands might attack us . . .I seized a revolver and fired it wildly at the mystic. It went wide of the mark and he laughed heartily. Then I rushed at him, but couldn’t get a grip of his shaven head. He picked me up in his arms and flung me bodily from the front door.”

Raoul was her third husband said Mrs. Sedgwick.

Mr. Eddy—How soon after March, 1923, did you marry your fourth?—Many years.

Stolen Letters Alleged.

Mr. Eddy: This book is called “Tiger Woman.” Are you “Tiger Woman”?—Yes.

Why?—Because I am rather feline in looks. I thought perhaps it was rather a good name for me.

Nothing to do with your violent nature?—I am not violent.

Mr. Eddy: In regard to your position in this case I put it to you plainly that you are here as a “bought” witness.

Mrs. Sedgwick—I am here to help the jury.

She admitted having written to Messrs. Waterhouse and Co., solicitors for the printers and publishers asking for £5 “on account of my personal expenses incurred in connection with my recent services in regard to evidence.”

At that time she had been paid between £15 and £20 from the solicitors for her expenses.

This letter and others, now produced by the plaintiff, were declared by Mrs. Sedgwick to have been stolen from her case.

When some of the copies of the missing letters were produced and referred to, Mr. Justice Swift agreed with Mr. Hilbery that they should remain in the custody of the court. He instructed the associate of the court to keep them until the case was over, “then remind me to discuss them again please,” he added.

Referring to Mr. Crowley’s refusal to accept his challenge the previous day to try his magic in court, Mr. Martin O’Connor, for Miss Hamnett, said it was appalling that “in this enlightened age a court should be investigating magic which is arch humbug practised by arch rogues to rob weak-minded people.”

“I hope this action,” he added, “will end for all time the activities of this hypocritical rascal.”

Mr. Eddy submitted that no reasonable jury could do otherwise than find a verdict in favour of Mr. Crowley, notwithstanding the view that had been indicated. The law of libel was available to everybody whether he was of good or of bad character.