Quote Originally Posted by Mark R View Post
I'm pretty sure the funeral services did not check up on the information regarding Julia's correct age. The police didn't even do it during their investigations either.
I am sure if Julia's accurate age would have come to light the police would have used it: a) As a possible (but tenuous) motive - difference in age, and b) It could also throw doubts on Wallace's character - being party to lying and of a fraudulent nature (it could be argued that he didn't know Julia's actual age but I think he did)
I feel the age discrepancy is not relevant. Even today some men and women keep their true ages from their partners, and in a lot of cases it only comes to light after their death, and as for a motive for murder from all accounts they had a stable amicable marriage, and what gain would Wallace have from her death, particularly as during any investigation her true age would then come to light.The other thing to remember is that as "Victorians" large age difference between married couples was not unusual.