The Express.
London, England, 1865-09-20 00:00:00

THE MURDER OF MAJOR DE VERE.

At the Central Criminal Court this morning,
John Currie, 19, a private soldier is the Royal Fagineers,
was placed at the her to take his trial for the wale!
murder of Frauds Ronatio de Vers, one of his officers.
The Nee appeared to mean a great dal of interest, and
a number of officers helots* to the prisoner's regiment
were among the auditory. The prisoner is a very fine yoneg
mace, sad before the trial commuted be bad a long con-
ference with his solicitor, Mr. G. Lewis.
Mr. lactic* tithe the the presiding judge.
The Solicitor-General (Sir R. P. Collier, M.P.), Mr. Cif-
lard, QC., and Yr. Poland sandoeted the prassmatioa
behalf of the Secretary for War.
Mr. Sleigh and Mr. F. H. Lewis were counsel for the mi.
saner, iostruotsd by Mews. Lewis and Lewis, of
1480.-
The prisoner exhibited the moat calm darnessosr when
placed at the bar, sad he pleaded "Not Gailty " in a firm,
oomposed voice.
Nonsof the gentlernen called on the jury were challeoged-
The Solicitor-General, itopeciog the ease, hid it was his
duty to watch the eircumstames under which &pliant and
distinguished officer in the Queen's aerobics met his death.
Major De Vero at the time he met his death wee a captain
in command of the battalion of Royal Engineers at Chat-
ham, and be was co parade when a ride shot was beard,
and he fall mortally wounded. At first theft were
hopes that be would recover, but these were sot ful-
filled, and he died shortly afterwards. Immediately after
the deed sentinels were posted round the barrack,. The
learned Solieitor-General briefly month:mod thepriecipal feels
of the case, and the following evasion, was the celled :
Mr. Arthur G. Bamford said-1 am a lieutenant is the
Corp. of Royal Engineers, and was acquainted with the
deceased. lie was the first captain in the regiment. On
Sunday, the 11th of August. I was is the barrack-yard at
Brampton barracks, at Chatham. with his regiment. The
deceased was standing near me, and them were about three
hundred mea prevent, but not under arms. The dimmed
was 011 duty. I heard the report of • gun, and Major de
Were fell. I went up to him and beard him exclaim twins,
" Oh, my God !" I maw blood flowing from his perms. I
immediately ordered that marries should be posted to pre-
root any one leaving the barracks from bellied,
and I and some of the other men went to the
front dome of the military houses abutting on
the parade ground. I saw man named Moon,
sod in consequeoce of something he said I west to the
room No. 4 and found the prisoner there. He was elope,
earl damped in his regimentals. There was a strong smell
of buret powder in the room. I said to him, "Did you do
this?" He replied, "Yea, sir." Di/ enamor wee quite
calm sod respectful. I asked him for his rifle and big
pouch, and he pointed to whore the rifle was in the seam
room. The pouch was banging up in the room. I examined
the rifle and found that it bad been recently discharged,
and one rouud ball cartridge and two caps were miming
from his pouch. The miaowr was removed to the nerd-
room. (No questions were put to this witness in ewes-
examination.)
Mr. Frederick Him. said—l am captain in the
Royal Engineers, stationed at Chatham. I was on parade
on the 11th of August, standing by Major De Vero, when
I heard the report of a rifle, and Major De Vera imme-
diately afterwards cried out and staggered about sad
then fell into my arms. His back weal towards the
barrack-yard when the shot was fired.
William Sisson said—l am a upper belonging to the
Engineers stationed at Chatham. The prisoner was also a
sapper. He bad joined the regiment about 11 months
before. I remember the parade on the llth of August.
I sod the prisoner wore excused from parsde be-
cause we were eagage3 in other duties. The
prisoner occupied No. 4 room .cad I occupied No. 3,
ClOte by it. The priscom's room faced the court-yard,
I hard a seises sad went into the yard and saw Major lie
Vero in the arms of as officer. I went to the prisoner's
room, and said, " My God, Major De Were is shot." Carrie
replied, " Yes, I did it." I replied, " You did it end be
said, "Yes, why would not I shoot the old fool." Lieut.
Danford then wait up to the prisoner's room and I beard
him say to him, " Did you do this I" and the primmer re.
plied, " Yes, sir."
Cross-examined—The prisoner was quite calm and col-
lected when I first saw him, and be admitted he had dons
it without the least Imitation.
George Perry, a corporal in the Engineers, said—l was
at the barracks whoa Major De Were was shot. I went to
the prisoner's room with Limit. Dnrnford and beard him my
that he had shot the major.
Nicholas Brindeo, another sapper, said—l was present
when the prisoner was taken to the prieoners' room after
the major had been shot, and I was placed sentry over him.
I asked him what made him do it, and he replied, " Why
would not I do it Y lie then said that he would explain
the reasons when he weal before the colonel why he did
it. He said he would tell the camel that the major was
a rogue and a tyrant, and a thief in his heart. I asked him
where he shot him from, and he said that he pointed
from the middle of the room when he fired the shot.
He added. "It we. a fins sight, for I aimed for the
middle of his back." The prisoner afterwards said
that he would rather die than injure any other officer the;
was oo parade. He then said that his mother was dead, and
that the only thing he cared about was hie poor father, sod
it would break his heart.
Mr. Giffard—Did he say anything the!
Witness—Yes. lie said another officer bad been standing
nor Major De Vero, and he waited %iota he moved, for fear
the bell should go through the Major and iglus him.
The prisoner did not say when he loaded the rifle.
Superintendent Everest, of the Chatham police, said-1
received the prisoner io custody from the military on the
llth of August, about 3 o'clock. I real to hm the charge,
that he was accused of shooting at Major De Ver.- with in-
tent to murder him, and he replied " Very well." The
prisoner after this used to inquire every morning bow the
major was, and upon one occasion when he told him be
was better, he replied, "I am happy over what I have
done. I think I have dose right, and I hope God will for
me." After the death of Major De Vets I told the pri-
soner of the fact. Ho inquired at what hour he died, and I
said about 10 o'clock the previous night, and ho roiliest
" That is all right,"
None of them witoesees were crossosamieed.
James Anderson, a sergeant in the Royal &zithers,
stationed at Chatham, said—Oa the 26th of May the pri-
aingr was employed in field works at Chatham, sod I re-
peatedly noticed that he was idling.
Mr. Sleigh submitted that what took place on the 26 h of
May was too remote to have any bearing on the present
Inquiry.
Mr. Justice Sheri mid he did not think he ought to ex-
chide the evidethe.
The whams, in continnatioe, said that he to'd the
prisoner several times that if ha did sot do
his work properly he would report him to the
first officer who came up. Major DO Vent came
up soon afterwards, and wham told him that the
prisoner did not do his work properly, end the major or-
dered that he should be checked • day's pay. The major at
the same time told him that if he did not pay more Woollen
to his work he would recommend him to go to another amps.
The prisoner after this continued idling, and I told hiss to
go en with his work, and be replied that he would not work
without pay. Witco's told him that, pay or so pay, he
must go on with his work, and be refused, sad he thee
ordered him to put on his jacket, sad he did 110. Wliolll/1
then said that if he weaned him it would be for dia.
obedience of orders, which was 11014001 offense, arid
that he must either work or go to the goard-room.
The primmer said he would rather go to the gnardooom,
and witeess seat him there, sad Mari Ma mole to the
oorneninding °gear, and be was embed in his mil far six
days for disobeying orders.

COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.
(Before Mr. Registrar Razlitt)
IN RZ 511 KOHUT NICHOLSON.
The bankrupt, who claims the title of Inroad, dm*n
himself as of Brightou, Herne Bay, Dorking,
square, Clapham. and other places. The debts are bawd
babe about 2.000/.. and there are no available asset. lir
Robert applied this morning at Whitecrcessetrest to ba
released from custody.
Mr. Bermes linstrueted by Messrs. Dad and iamb
opposed the application on behalf of Mr. W. S. Burp" ju.
Dishing ironmonger of o:ford-street, and of Mr. Pig& slag
merchant, of Brighton. Mr. Dimedale also append ta
behalf of Captain Culpeper.
It appeared that the bankrupt bad presented One perigee
to tie court is forms paaperis, under which adjadicetise
had bees made. The meeting for choice of amigos's has*
taken place it was discovered that several of tie debt ear
Waded by the bankrupt had been omitted from his kbelie,
and that hie addressees were not fully set out in the wa
osediege, and upon these grounds the petition Ins its.
missed.
Is answer to the learned registrar the bankrupt Adel
that he claimed to be entitled to an estate in !coded d
the value of 2,0001. per annum, and be also claimed IL
income of 2001, per year, in right of his late wife. Heist
previosasly bees once insolvent, sod although be &Laid L
considerable property in anticipation, he had web*
available for his creditors.
Mr. Brough 'motioned that all the fads in consortia
with the osse bad been brought under the notice of Xr.
Commissioner Winslow, before whom evidence was him
at considerable length, and the application for release hen
custody had been refused. Ile submitted that the rerjeten
would not exercise a sound discretion were he to release tte
bankrupt from custody.
Mr. Bimodal* said he appeared for Captain Culpepet, ben
whom the bankrupt had taken a famished house at s meld
of 2001. a year. Tbe bankrupt had occupied the boon for a
considerable time, sod then disappeared without pay* iln
•
rent.
After some further discussion,
The harped registrar made adjudication of bastrapky
spies! Sir Robert Nicholson, but be declined to order cis
release from custody.
The bankrupt then inquired whether it would be meta
for him to annul the bankruptcy if all his debts were paid:
Mr. Brough said that his cheats would cal, be tee
happy to receive payload of their claims.
Application refused.
ot HE JOHN JA3IES HETTZL
This was • meeting for proof of deb's sad choke dm
signees. The bankrupt described himself as formally 0153,
Gracechurch-drest, and of Marseilles, also of Argylokdr,
trading.. Hatter, Drouhet, and Co. The applicant
states that his failure is attributable to lossses on teammates
be produce from the Mauritius sod India, and in cosemems
of the suspension of payment of the General Credit Ono
pan, of Spain, on whose behalf he bed waded
The liabilities may be roughly estimated at 30,0301., vi*
moots lt hand sufficient to pay a small dividend.
Assignees were now chosen, and a resolution was rind .
to wind up the estate by means of an assignment.
Menses. G. S. and H. Brandon are the solicitors to Ye
Carrie liseigneeL

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

(THIS DAY.)

NEW COURT.
(Before Mr. Justice Smith.)
THE PIIZTENDILD MLN CARL
&malt Gods, aged 41, described in the calendar al targ
• spinater, was indicted for feloniously attempting to shoe
at one James Giles, with intent to kill and murder his. Ti
• mooed count the allegation was that the intent was to is
grievous bodily harm. The prisoner, who is stoat, diked
stators. and a remarkably miscallsel sppearanor, Paid
not guilty.
Mr. Weimer Sleigh (instructed by Mr. Mackay, fronds
aloes of Mr. Chalk, of Colemao.street), conducted the
prosecution ; and Mr. Ribton defended the prisoner.
Mr. W. Ssigh, in opening the case to the jury, remarked
upon its singular peculiarity. The prosecutor me a hat
and shoemaker, living in Tuilerie.street, Hackney-read
and the prisoner had been io his service for some Teen sea
clicker, or cutter out. The prisoner ems to him tee or
twelve years ago to ask for employment, and was des
dressed like a man, and gave the name of Wit.
Liam Smith, stating also that she was a maid
man, her wife's name being Caroline. The prisoner Maui
the employment and so continued for nine years. Meat
January, 1862, the prosecutor's first wife was Mee
the supposed wife of the prisoner was engaged by tbs.. „es'
mentor to attend the invalid as nurse. The patriot deli
and then Caroline was employed by the prosecutor askew
keeper, and shortly afterwards she communicated to the
prosecutor the real sex of the prisoner, who was preysaid
upon to MUM* the attire of her reel sea. He provided her
with female clothing, sod established her is a shop at NO.
allowing bet I. per week. Thus matters went os MOP
teen months butio consequence of the business not answerilli
the prosecutor closed it, but allowed the prisoner shout lOt
per week to the amount of si. Before the elm* of the she
at Bow the prosecutor had married the woman Cambia
whom he had taken as housekeeper, and who Ind form*
passed as the primmer's wife. At the marriage the
prises
and her brother were present so witnesses. On the ersal
of the 17th July last the prisoner cane to the pn:esetteve
establishment, and salted the foremen if she Ma
see him. The proaecutor went out to her in the pea*
sod seeing who it was raid, Well, Sandi, whet b
your pleasure with me I" The primer made no reply, hot
at moo presented a pistil to the cheek of the prosseers
and exclaimed " That ;" and he immediately heard the ere
plosion of the cap of the pistol, and felt a suisetioo ea lit
left cheek bone. The prisoner then threw the pistol
a loop bole into the shop and ran away. She was
taken into custody, and whim charged, mid she was leis
fled with what she bad done. Oa the pistol heist manses&
it was found to be loaded with powder, paper, sad feed
bullets.
These facts were proved in evidence by the prosecakes
by Mr. Wert, his foreman, by a lad named Close, and hf
the policemostable who took the prisoner and saw the
charge of the pistol (which was produced) dram.
Mr. Ribton addressed the jury on babel of the primers
remarking upon the extraordinary nature of this most re
markeble cam He then weed that there lee
an alummee of satisfactory proof as to the te•
lonsons Intention of the prisoner at the time she dew
the trigger of the pistol, the mole of loading, which, mud.
• iog to the evidence for the prosecutioo, appeared to
doubtful. If it bad been properly loaded it could sot te
doubted that the pistol would have gone off. If not Pew
peril loaded so as to carry out the alleged intantioo, this
neither of the count, of the indictment could be me'
Saud. He suggested that all the primer bed de.
' 'bobs& done to order to alarm and fright in him, so as to Ice'
duos him to make 1101130 better provision for bor.
Several respectable wituesees, who had always raePove
the prisoner to be of the male am, for upwards of sixties
yeare, gave her an excellent character for humanity cad
kindness of disposition.
Mr. Justice Smith summed up the evidence to the jells
telling them that if they believed the pistol to have hen
properly loaded the prisoner was equally amenable to I.
law though no discharge took place. provided they
ahwwW
el opinion she pilled the trigger with either of the ismer
laid in the indictment.
The jury, attar a kid osestiltatim, found the. Piot'
Guilty ou the mood count of the indictment, ohargtell ads
latest to be to de grievous bodily harm. ed
posalr.swvandsJestitre Mahler
thissentemedienn
nth:
ypeamrisonsr to be kept