Aug 08, 1954 - Inquest In Film Star's Mother In-Law: In a London Coroner's Court...

Aug 08, 1954 - Inquest In Film Star's Mother In-Law: In a London Coroner's Court today a man was asked:” Did you murder Mrs. McGrath”. The question put by Mr. Neville Stafford, the Westminster Coroner, came at the end of 60 minutes evidence by Walter Henry Hensby, 46-year old electrician. In a low voice, he replied:” No, sir” Hensby was giving evidence at the inquest on his friend, 64-year old Mrs. Violet McGrath, mother-in-law of film star Michael Rennie. She was found strangled in a South Kansington flat. Hensby, now living at Cricket-inll, Pately, near Cambarley, was said yesterday to have a healed scar on his right hand consistent with the measurement of a metal suspender clip and scartch marks consistent with being caused by fingernails. All, it was said in evidence could have been caused between 11 p.m. and midnight on Sunday, May 9, the night Mrs. McGrath died. Today, Hensby, as the coroner questioned him, said that he did not know where he got the scratch marks and the healed scar. “On my job I am forever knocking pieces off my hands. I am always getting scarred and cut”, he declared. And later his friend, actress Renee Roberts, mentioned the mark between Hensby's fingers. She said she did it herself with a ring a month before. Photo shows. Miss Renee Roberts