The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-24 00:00:00

THE BALLYMENA POISONINO CASE.

The adjourned inquest was held on Thursday, in
the Court-house, Ballymena, respecting the mysterious
death, on the 22nd instant, of • young lady named Miss
who resided at Omaha], Mar Ballymena.
It was alle as our readers are aware from oar previous
report. that she wss poisoned, and suspicion pointed to Dr.
Courtenay, medical officer of the Galgorm Dispensary,
and Mary Anse N'Ateriney, a 'errant in his employmeet.
The female pnsooer was brought up at the inquest which
was held • fortnight ago, and Dr. Courtenay has since been
taken into custody. Great interest was manifested in the
cease by the public, who thronged the Court-house to 1110011-
vemisses.
- -

The Conon briefly addressed the jury, and pointed out
the nature of their duty, which was sunply to awartain the
cause of death of the doomed.
Mr. Orr asked what charge was against Dr. Courtenay?
Mr. Beet, resident magistrate, said he was charged with
being accessory to the death of the deceased.
Mr. Orr—lt is the first time I have heard what the charge
was.
The Coroner begged of the jury to diamio from their
minds what they had previously heard. He had the analysis
of the contents of the stomach certified and sworn to before
a magistrate, by Dr. Hodges, of Belfast.
Mr. Corals thought Dr. Hodges should be present.
The Clerk read Dr. Hodges report, which stated that
having examined the stomach, kidney, liver, &c., of the de •
mod for the detection of poison, no traces of either mine-
ral or vegetable poison could be found.
Mr. Orr asked if anything had been said:about intlamme.
nob of the stomach. He should be glad to examine Dr.
Hodges, in order to clear the character of Dr. Courtenay
sad the friends of the deceased.
The Coroner said that Dr. Hodges would not snood for
lees than ten guineas.
Mr. Comm, Mr. Orr, sad Mr. 1111aaa, all agreed that it
was important to have the winners brought up who were
examined on the first day of the inquest.
The Clerk of Petty Sessions read so extract from a letter
of Dr. Hodges, who stated that he bad received an order
from the Castle to make an analysis in another case of
alleged poisoning. If they obtained an order from Sir T.
LatOOID, directing that it was necessary for him to attend,
be would do so • but he begged to remind them that his fee
would sot be lees than ten guineas.
The Coroner said he would not bear the evidence of the
witnesses who had been previously examined. If there was
any evidence to be brought forward touching the cause of
death he would hear it, but not as to the vindication of
character.
Patrick Byrne, subeonstable, examined by the Coroner
1 saw porticos of Miss (try's body put into a jar, which was
quite clean. I tasted the water that was put into it, and
found it was pure. I delivered the jar and its contents to
Professor Hodges. It was sealed when I delivered it. I
gave the jar to Dr. Hodges on the Bth of the present
mouth.
To Mr. Cremate—l am sure the jar that I gave to Dr.
Hodges was that which contained portions of the body of
deceased.
The Coroner—The jar was given into the custody of the
whom at the post-mortem examination.
Mr. Orr submitted that erroneous inferences had bees
drawn from the statements that were made at the last exa-
mination, and the coroner should hear the cape again.
A Juror —The jury are satisfied, and they will bring in a
verdict from the evidence they have heard.
Mr. Cremsie-1 object to the jury bringing in a verdict
tall those representing the accused parties are heard.
Mr. 11• Lean also urged the necessity of re-examining the

witnesses.
The Corooer—l have heard that the magistrates intend to
investigate the matter.
Mr. 111'Lean argued that the jury were the proper parties
to hear the evidence. In that court the evidence of the pri-
soner could be taken as to the cause of death, which could
not be done in an investigation by time magistrates.
The Coroner—Gentlemen of the jury, retire to an adjoin-
ing room, and consider your verdict.
Mr. Orr—l tender Dr. Coartenay for examination.
A name here took pia°, between the coroner and the
legal gentlemen engaged in the case, the latter protesting
strongly against the jury retiring. The jury, however, act-
ing nada. the directions of the coroner, left the court, and
were absent foe • abort time.
Mr. Orr said that it had been stated there was • cocaina.
ties of magistrates, which he had not heard of. It was not
true, as had been alleged, that Dr. Courtenay remained in
his own house in charge of two constables.
After ao absence of about ten minutes, the jury returned
to court, and the former handed in • document to the

Mr. Cramaie—le that the verdict
The Coroner—lt to not. The jury recommend that the
whipsaws should be examined.
A Juror—And let all the witnesses be examined, or none,

The Coroner—l say none.
The profeswimial gentlemeo and the coroner were at this
point most vehement in expreseing their opinion., all of the
soli:Kan protesting that the witnesses should be re-
examined, and the coroner as strongly samrting that he
would not allow them to be heard. . .

17;7Kidd, who had been previously examined.. said, in
reply to Mr. Orr, that he had never stated that the de-
cessed's perm had Leen violated.
Mr. Orr continued to put some questions to Dr. Kidd, and
the coroner, with an extraowlinary amount of passion. or•
dered blur to sit down- Mr. Orr insisted on has right of
examining the witness.
The Cornosr—lf you do not sit down, I know what to do
with you. (Cheering and hissing, and general clamour.)
Dr. Kidd stated that the deceased's brain was oosseeied,
end he should DO wonder if she were delirious.

The Ooroner thee addremed the jury. wboagaie reeked.
Ur. Bunt intimated that he had received instructioes
from Dublin Castle to bold a magisterial investigation after
the jury had given their verdict.
Br. M'Leas argued t►at the magistrates should leveed.
pt. the matter immediately after the verdict was headed
ia, as it would be unfair to keep the prisoner ll'Atatueey
in custody when there was no charge against her.
Br. Hunt said he was anxious to have the assistaoee of as
many of the magistrates as possible at the investigation.
The jury, after an abeeeos of about half an hour, re-
turned to court with the following verdict :—" We led that

' Amelia B. H. Carey died at Bellykenuedy, in the comity of
Antrim, on Friday, the god day of January, 1863. We
further say, that we have not sufficient evidence before as
to say what caused the high state of iuflainmatios of the
stomach ; bat, bona the evidence, we are of opinion um'
the cease of her death arm i s from ntimumation of the
sionsash."
The Coroner then formally released the facials prism*.
who was immediately taken into coated; by order of Mt
Hunt
Mr. Hunt intimated that an investigation would be bald is
the Court-house on Thursday next, with closed doors.
Mr. Orr and Mr. M•Lesa submitted that the inqiun
should be held in
Mr. Haat saki Lith!rkoaid annuli his brother =estrum
cm the subject.
Dr. Courtenay is admitted to bail.
This is the position in which the natter sow stench