By Mike Simmons
The July 26, 1935 edition of the Pensacola News Journal reported that a coroner’s jury in Jacksonville Florida ordered that 50-year-old Joseph Armitage and 45-year-old Hannah Johnson be held on a charge of murder by hanging. The body was found hanging from a rafter in the victim’s home.
After nearly four hours of testimony, the verdict was returned by the jury stating that the victim “came to her death by strangulation by means of a sash cord at the hands of Joe Armitage and Aretha Johnson.”
Mrs. Johnson testified that a suicide note found by officers in the room with the body was in the victim’s handwriting. However, the two suspects gave conflicting testimony concerning their actions on the night the victim was found dead.
By the way, the name of the victim was Hannah Armitage, 78 years old. Mrs. Johnson was her caretaker and Mr. Armitage was her son…a loving relationship.
Mike
