The Express.
London, England, 1856-05-24 00:00:00

TRIAL OF WILLIAM PALMER.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

TENTH DAY.

The court was opened this morning et nine o'clock,
and in a very few minutes afterward, every suitable Beat
was occupied both in the galleries and in the body of the
building. The proceedings in the case were resumed Ire
eiedy at tea o'clock. As the judges Vick their seats on the
bench, the prisoner was put ferruled, and he bowed resin ct-
fully to the court and jury. Ht. fumes. still wore a very
anginas appearance, but in all respects his demeanour was
calm and c dhowd as be fire. Throughout the who.. of
yesterday he paid the closest attention to the medical evi-
dence, and seemed quite familiar with its most minute
details. He kept continually priming his counsel with
questions, and, to judge by his sit one, he appeared to take
• leading part in the conduct of this portion of his def ace.
Poore of the waitrons did not answer to their names
when Breit called this morning, and this caused a slight in-
terruption to the case. The prisoner availed himself of
this interval to Iv ld a brief and seemingly animated con.
sultstimswith Mr. Groves, Q.C., his 'mind counseL

Mr. Oliver Pemberton esamired by Mr. B•rjeant Shee—
I em lecturer of anammy at the Circe n's College, Birming-
ham, and surgeon to a general I °viral there. I was pr, -
sent at tt e exantiostion of the late Mr. Cookn's body slur
it hod been exhumed I observed the condition of the
spinal cord; it wos not in a rtote to enable me to state with
confidence what hed been int e..nditmn immediately after
decease. The upper part, wtera it had been separated,
was green in c 'lour from the tff.cm of decomposition. the
renaming portion though fairly p d was 82110 ft in cot
to 'bah'e me to :orm any of ini.n t a to Vs state immediately
after death.

Croet-msmined by the Attorney-General—l don't know
how twiny hours the body bad been o!.t tied before I ssw it,
but at was the day aft. r the bony canal hod bean opened.
The opening of that canal a ould aspire the cord itself, but
it was still gent' d by a strong membrane.
Tnis witness clteen the meatiest Evidence for the defence.
Henry Mathews, examined by Mr. Groves—l am huge*
t-r if P.niee at the Ruston-vete railway station. I was
'whined there on Monday, the 19th cf November last.
The train that atm. at two o'clock in the afteroson is the
jest train that stops at Roge'ey. There is nothing atter
that. The esp-ers leaves at 5 o'clock in the aftetno
train is due at S•aff tad at 8 42, but it is generally 8.45
before It arrives there. Toe distance front Stafford to
Rugeley by seaway is nine milts. I don't know what
d.star co it is by road. The shortest and quicken way of
• of even to Itugelcy after the two o'clock train iv by t►e
erne. as.

seph Foster examined by Mr. Gray—l am a
farmer and waxier, at a place called Sintop, in Northamp-
.on b-re. Up to Lady-day hit I kept the George Hotel,
in Northampton. 1 knew the late John Parsor a Cook, and
nave mat him at various places, such as races and in the
huwieg fi Id. I hive also repeatedly dined with him, and
had Ir quiint opt ortunities of observing b s state of health.
He a.iptared t- have a very weak c nsti.etzon, and I have
kno .13 him levers! times have severe attacks and
Oak headaches.

Crate-examined by Mr. lamer, Q.C.—I have known
Co theme eight er ten year,. He hunted rrgalarly
in Northamptonshire. he sometimes kept too and
sometimes three hortos. He wet to hunt pretty rege.
I•rly when be was well. I know Mr. George Pell. of
Northampton. He is a solicitor. There is a Cricket Clab
at Northampton. Cook may have bean a member of it, but
I have not seen him play within tae Iltst three or four year..
I last saw him esrly in October. I know he had a bilious
attack and a sick headacte a year and a hell ego. Ha was
then at my own house. He was not liv nt with Mr. Jose*.
He was drestel in bit hunting drys. He wry only two or
three boars at my house, end it must have been a week or
so aft. rwards bet •re I saw him again. He bad not dined at
my house the Oa), before.
Re-examined—l never saw him slick but once, and that
was on the occasion I bale referred t t, when he was at my
how.

Mr. George Myatt, examined by rt. Groeet—l am a
saddler, residing at Rugeley. I WO, at Shrewsbury races
on the day Polestar won. I was at the Raven Ho.al on the
Wednesday, and I saw C.ok and Palmer there about twelve
o'clock at night. I was waiting in the room when they
came. I think Cant was the w..rse for 1 guor. The three
of us had a glass of brandy and water a piece. Cook made
some remark, and fancied " " w a not goo He drank
part of it out, end then made the remark, " It's sonsewha•
bed," &edge's It to some ear to taste. Co k then jr posed
to have some more, end Palmer said re would not have any
more unless Cook drank his out. There came no mere
brandy, and it was proposed to go to bed. He went away
to bed along with Palmer. The brandy was brought in
in a decanter. My brandy wee toured oat of it, but
I don't know by whom. I did not leave the room
at all dining the time. I aid not I:ave until they had gone
to bed. 1 saw no.hing put in the hr indy and water while I
was there. It could not have been pot in without my see-
ing it. That hisht I and Palmer fillet with him in the same
bedroom. leaving Co.,k in tee sitting-roan. ;When we se, t
to ted I locked the door, and Palmer dio not le.ve the room
all tried. The nest n.orning P. lone asked me to go and
call Gook. 1 went and r. pp d at his door. Cook raid—
" Come in." 1 ow so; mot then Cook told me how ill he
bad been during the night. He said he had been obliged
to send for a dater, He asked me what bad been
pot in the brandy and water ? and I told him I
did not know th t anything hid. Ilp then asked
me to go for Palmer, end I did so. The neat
time I saw Cook was whin he came id t:
his breakfast. Palmer wee already in the room.
Pelmet and I breakfasted first. He came in directly
afterwards sod bad l reset...at in the same rem. Toe same
night, Ccok, Palmer, and myself, left for Rugeley, hut we
dined together first at the Raven. We left at out ex o'clock,
and travelled by the expects tr iin. Palmer paid for the
three tickets. Od the toed Palmer was sick. sod Cook sad
he said they could cot account for V. Palmer votaitta d
totoush the window. This was not on the railway, bat on
the road tr. m Staff, rd to Rugel y. Arrived at Stafford
we sopped at the Junction Inn, weeps' we got into a fiy,
.ad it was on the road between there acd Outplay that
Palmer was rick. 1 hey could not account for it, utiles., as
P ,liner said, the dinner was cooked in some brass kettle, or
there was something is the water, A got many people bad
been ill in the same way at Shressibuiy, sod I heard it:seri!
people sp. ak sheet it. It is clue railas by the road from the
Junction Inn to Heasley.
Crossonecniced by Mr. James-1 have known Palmer all
his life. He cleat with me in sailulery. I have Dot been
in the titbit cf poirg ti rowel with Mtn. I was not at
D 'neuter with him, roe lh,ve I ever h: en there with him.
I have been to Wolverhampton races with him. It was in
August last year. I cid Lot sleep in the same room with
bile, nor did I stop in the Fame hotel with him. I stayed
at a brittle,- in law's. I was there a couple of days, but on
neither did I either dine or breakfast with Palmer. I have
Mao been to Lichfield races with Lim. That was in Sep-
tember. That course is within ten miles of Rugeley. and 1
did Bailees there. I did not go nor return with Palmer,
but I met him thi r . I will swear I hetes rm.
slept in a double-bedded roam with Palmer except
on this ace ..ion at Sheet...here. I hate beer
at no other races but those I have mentioned. I
w sat Worcester. 1 did tot pay my expense, to Shrews-
bury. Pallier paid my tiptoes+ there and also the fare
beet. He has a paid my eat ensea at othi r ram. That
l will swear. I had an were' w wish Palmer at Stafford
iteol. I was with bun about a couple of blurs It mu.'
be a menth • r live W. edll ago, but I dil not
take any &rootlet if it. I cannot call to mind whether
ihe interview was b fore or since Stafford amines. Mr.
Smith woo gong, and I said I abould like ti go h o and e
him. Tbe moat that I rave ever "stood' on Palmer's
horses has been a sovereign er half a sovereign. He used to
pat me " on " them, but I did not bet at Shrewsbury. I did
Rottman beck Polestar. I haves old • s .var ign er so with
Palmer on his hoe It was as near twelve a. tensible when
I a MI Co -k and Palmer at the Raven. I had not dined
with P.i'mer before, because 1 did not get to Sr.rew.bury
until elfin. o'oecek. I west to the Raven, and kr o•it g'tt.
CANS Palmer generally had, I west up to„ee• it he was
there. Toot was between rig t and nine u'cLik On going
an I saw Ceok inanities outside the done, and be said,
" Halloo ! What brings you here V' I told him
I had corns to are how they were getting on.
Palmer had gone out; sad I went then into the
town. It wee an hour bef re 1 d 1 then went
into Palmer's sitting-room. Palm. r was not there, sail I
waited in the room used he came in. I moat have waded
a c iuple el hours beton Palmer come en. It mast then
have been about twe Ye o'cl ek, but I cannot say within
half ash tar. He came in with Cnik. Cook .11.6 drunk,
but not very. He was so drunk that I could easily s e it.
Directly they come in the brandy and water was brought
in. The brandy was brought in in a chewer, and the,
t
wit; at.iitraig.thehtrha; v
up t h
4e: n,thoo, theshould
r l.
.tyebtl
don'teh the
remember
r can't t antda
.Wr er ak tumblers •
combos, nor P Inter being called out of the room. I farness
bar a gentleman emoting, but I didn't koew who he was;
I new know that it was Mr. blither. Palmer did not le.,*
the room until we went to bed; that I will sere..r port
tively. I was close to him and observed him the wt ole
time. When Mr Fianer came in, Cook larked Pelmet to
have some more bren,ty sad water. Palmer cad he would
not have any more unless Cook dra hi.. ta, timed lava •
been evident ti any one who saw him, that Cook wee the
worse for liquor. Cask said he would drink hi.,
and he did eo at a draueht. Dime ly after be
drank it, he made a remark shout i•e not being
good; and he also said that there was soopthing
In it. I don't keinw that he said. l• It burns my throat
dreadfully." That I w 1' swear. He raid noth mg to that
effect; be said airoplr something about the brandy not
being good, and, beskessaying There issocaething in it;"
be made no (Altar observation. It woe given to Ri me one to
taste; I think it was to nether, but I cannot say positively;
nor can I say whether Palmer or Cook gave I do not
know a Mr. Reed. There were f fur p-uons in the room at
the time, but I cannot say whether a pitmen whom'
I now know t • be Mr. Reed, tame in. There was a little
left it, the Oar, bat or le a very little. I cannot say whs.
thee Palmer tour:heel the glass, but I rather think he tastes i
what was in it. Ile said he could cot taste anything the',
matter with the brandy and water, and then I think he
gave It to Fisher. I don't recollect that Fisher said,
't It's no good giving one the glue, it is empty,"

but I int inclined to think he tasted it. I
will not, however, swear that he did not say re,
It might be tiiren,y minutes or half an hour before I left
the 'cost with Palmer to go to bed. Ceok did not Mau
the room bi Lim We went etraiebt from toe tom up to
bed tlp.•her. I did not know that Cook was it. that night,
tor did I Lotto that be bad vomited until he toad me so the
neat morning. 1 had but ore gluts of brandy and watt!,
w. dit was c• Id. On the following day I dined with
Palmer and Cook, and Cook served me. I was at h moos
th.- first two day. of the inquest, and on the List day I
went to Birmingham I did Ott go to the ibquist at all.
H.-rammed—l wag examined by tte pretreuti a, but
they did n it ruby gene me. At the interview, iu the Snaked
WM, the deputy-governor wog ent port of the time,
and during the rut of the time an officer. He said amain
about this else, but talked about his Umber.
A note was here paused between the Attorney-Outeral
and the court, and then the Attoi net -General pt creded
to examine the witness as films—l did not toll Mr. Gard
net any thing about the brandy and water, but I told Mr.
St somithirg. I alto told some gentlemen who
rest:Dined me bwe re the inquest, but I only told them what
I knew, which is the tame es I have stated here.
Mr. John Serjeant, examined by Mr. Seijeant Shee—l
am no pude:mon, but live on my means I am
in the habit of attending races. I knew the late
Cook intimately, sod also the prisoner Palmer. I received
a letter from Mr. Cook during tho Shrewsbury races. I
was subpceneed on the part of the Crown, but I bad no
notice to pre-duce tbs. letter. I Lave not got that letter, as
I sent it to &lancers the trainer I mud, aria Vcation to
Saunders for it by litter. I received a lett. rin ar.wrr to
that, which I produce. I have seen Saunders since. and I
have taken ell the means in my bower to find the I. tter I
received from 0 ok.

The Attorney-General—Have y'.o any objection to my
seeing the reply you received from &tendert.?
Witneu—Not the least; here it sm.
Examination continued—l have not a copy of Cook's
letter, but I w.ll remember what it. contents were.
Mr. Serjeant Sheer ptopoeed to go in o this ace dory evi-
dence dun coctents, but the tuts oho they could not.
Examination continued—l only km w what Cook arid
Framer won and lost at Shrewsbury by what tent latter
cocteined. Shortly bet; re Mr. Cieok'e death I h VI an op-
portunity t f noticing the state of hW the. at. I wee with
him at Liverpool is the week previous to Serewstury races.
We stayed et the same hotel, and be slept in the ad-
j 'Wing room to me. One morning be called me into his
room and drew my aft etinn to the state of bis tenpin and
throat. There were ulcers upon them, and his Vogue wn
.0 swollen that I said I was surptnied at the state of hi-mouth:
lie replied that he had been in teat state f week, and
mouths, saving "now I den% take notice of it." On the elat-
ion' at Liverpool after the races I sew him take a cayenne
gingerbread tint. He took it by mistake, and he told me
afterwards that it had nearly killed him. He did sot gay
MOM particularly than that what a ffect it produced upon
him. At Liverpool be was very poor in pocket. I knew
that because be owed me 251., and he gene me 10/. Co am
count, sayir g that he had not sufficient to pay
his esteems at Liverpool, but that I should tags
the balance of 151. after the Shoe-chary meeting.
Cook and Palmer were in the habit of ding what is called
" putting on " together, and they did so at the Shrewsbury
meeting. I executed • commission for Palmer at Liverpool,
and Palmer told me th Cook stood a retina of that mosey
with lent. Swirly Wore Mr. Cook's death, I bad known
Palmer to supply him with a lotion called " black•wash."
I do not know whether It Le • mercurial lotion.
Cr. unexamined by Mr. James—The hl ick wash, T should
say,wes not to be drunk. I saw it supplied at the Warwick
race meeting is the eprirg, whin the mare Polestar *cm
there. It mast hay- b. en in the sprang last year. I sew
him at Newmarket, and nearly all the autumnal rut
meetings last year. The Liverpool meeting was the week
before Shrewsbury, and when I sow his throat I said I wet
surprised he could eat so well. The cayenne nut is made up
at a sort ef trick, to put amongst others of an innocent ch.
fader. He ant h .Id of the nu. by mistake.
Me'. Jeremiah Smith examined by Seijeent Shee-1 am
an attorney at Huge ey. I am acquainted with the primmer,
and was also acquaioted with the late Mr. Cook. I saw him
at the Telt ot Aims in Regeley on the 16th of November.
I saw him about 10 o'cleck in his bed room. lie break..
tested in bed, end took a cup of tee, with • wine
glass of brandy in it. I GM:rented' doted in his
company at Palmer's. We had a rump steak and some
champagne far dinner, and port wine afterwards. We
drank three tutees al'ogetker, and Cook had his share. Ws
had either two of champegce and one of port, or two of port
and one champagne. Triers were only Cook, myself, and
Palmer at dine, r. I left tetween five and sir in the evening
with Ceak. We left the house together r, sicd we went
first to my house end then to the Albion Hotel,
near done, where§ ere hail a glass of brandy and entire
each told. Cook left me ib. re. Her sae: be felt toad, and
he warmed his feet en the fender. He berrewed a t oak Irom
me, and tie said he would go home and read in bed This
ust have bcc a he tn. en 7 and 8 o'clock. In the afternoon
of Friday we were talaing about race. g ; that was Cook,
Palmer, and myself; and I raked Mr. Cook for tome
money he owed me. 'I asked him tar 511., and
he gave me 51. As he was taking the note
out i f his note erne, 1 eeked him to pay me all. lie said,
" No, there is only 411. 10s. due to you." He also raid be
had Overt Palmer some money and t e would pay me the
balances immediately after the settling on the night follow.
lug (Saturier. I slept in Cook's room, as he was not well.
It was twelve o'clock before we retired to bed. In the early
part id the night he was unwell. He had got some tract and
water, and was cashing his mouth. He eereled his throat
with it, acid became sick. About two o'cloek I wer t to sleep,
as I wee tired, and I slept until Dr. Bamford came up in the
weenie g. I then heard • conversation between Cook and
Bamford. Bamford said " Well, hew are you this morn-
it
g ?" Cook said " I am weber better this eiv ening. I
slept from about two er three o'clock, after the house had
become qu;et." Bamford said he would sender me medicine,
and went away on the evening of Monday. I went to Mrs.
Palmer',, the preoner's mother, and in ceetequence of what
passed between me and her, I went to Look forth*. prisoner:
I should say it ea, abent eine o'c'ock,but I did nut fine him
at %het hour. About ten minutes past ten I saw hien come in
the direction of Stafford in a car, and h. seed, Have IOU
se en Cook to-day." I said "No, I have been to
Licbfield on lowliness " He reply. d Oh, then we had
beret ton up and are tow tie is getting on before
I go to my mother's." We went up t.l Cook's room toga
thee, and I heard what passed. Cook said to Palmer,
" You are lite, doftor, tnnlgi t. I d.d nut expect you to
look in." Ho I have !akin the raed'eine that Bam-
ford give me." We did not nay lone, but left in two or
three minute,. I think C io k asked me why I had not
milled in etarlter,and I told him I tad been to Lichfield. Cook
then said he had ben, up, talk 'n; to Sounder.. It ..at said,
" You ought act to have been up." We then went
away together, and went straight to the prisoner's nirttcr'l,
a distance of 400 or 500 ;ode. We were there half an
hour. We left the house esgesher, and wept to Palmer's
hoase together. I eked him f r come refrerhmcnt, but
there was note in the hewn, aed I wert aw ayhome 'intend
soy. 'teeing Palm tin toe hewn. The prat day I invited
Ci ok and P dearer to dine wi'h me, but C' ok sent tees me-
ow, between twelve and one teat be was net well, sod
could not leave his room. I heel • boiled leg of mutton for
dinner, and I cent some broth from the Anoints by a chez-
Women named Reel y I think. Shortly he 'ore C olee death I
borrowed 2001., aid negotiated a loan for him of LOW with
Pratt. The 2001. 1 borrower, f r him in May. II V I got
loom Mr. Pratt, sod 100/ from the pi none,. I know, of
my own knowledge, thn t Palmer mei Co k were needy in-
terested io one h wee and that they were in the habit of
jointly bettieg tem thee. Wben Palmer's bones tab Ccok
put the money on, end when Ce oleo bones ran leelmer pat
it en. I have seer, Palmer', assistant, Thirlhy, dress Cook's
throat, but 1 cannot ray whether it was before or after the
Shrewsbury. I nailer hick it was be (sore, I produce two
metes and a memorandum tinned by Co pit. Tea notes are
.fined J. Pardons Conk, .n 4 the memorandum "J. P.
Cook." I[ fee cares aud mentoreneluee wee reed. They
related to • tell of s usher ge which Ceok bad accepted, arid
upon which he bad been Cued.)
to Croce-. filie en, b the
haveaul I
knownoe y Gre rza.lr—Ltioo.
rata,
many years, and have been ewe!, yed a pined deal as his
artitney. I cannot recoil et his apnlyieg to me in
December, 1e54 to attest is prep ei• I fer an insurence of
13.0001. no be Mord in the ft bid or. and Ur eeral Life-
office. If I saw the eheam-nt I might perhaps be able to
tell. I do nit recollect P diner pp:eying to me in January.
18IPV"iealiter'aPetlhtreerrrwiarscathoeln Wa
man
without attest such
SatehtPahrine woe an since rti6cated bankrupt.
He bad been a bankrupt, hut I cl n't knew that he was
without a certifiestr. I knew toe lied an allowacce from
has mother, and et at the primmer ere no. oily eat plied him
money. L, 1554 and 1855. I lived in Hoge lev, partly at
P.linerei rem her's and eanly a' my own home. I frequently
slept at Mrs Pieter r's, p. reaps tee o or three tines a ....es. I
em a secgle mae. This practice of 'leveler: at Mr. Palmer's
evends ever several yea's and dunce tl at time I al-
weys had 'edgings, including a bedroom at Bewley.
My ova Indelnee are ahnnt a moister of •
Mil, from Mr.. Pelmern. Wean I came there I
used to remain. Titers was doocpb, who lived
at Liverpool, and Walter, who died at S I used to
go tor e met` era's to see them. I had no p trticulor reason
for stayiag there, ben I used to reinvent late drink-
ing gin and water, and I laying cards. I have
slept there erten the sons were Oct there and the
metier was, earl when all the fern ly were
at Bust n Sometimes wan not the re for month. There
was nothing impel er between me at 1 eine. l'slme r. I
don't receive t being etteed anon to attest am tie r recipe-
sal in the Univenel Office. 1 don't rue Lica it;
bat it eery document is eh son to me I ',a
at untie acknewledee it if my nmee ,there. The Wens-
tura to the document predeeed is very semi ar to my
owe, but I doubt win t..er it to wipe. Upon
looking at it meaty, I It..ye still some doubts
whether it is my signature. The document woo sot tree
pared at my u sloe. 1 he signature is a very moi imitation
tit my hood written Tee pie/nature " Wait r Palmer," 1111
in Walter Palmer'. handwriting. I lave on doubt the eerie
seiner gave me this document, but still I believe the
signature to the attestant n is not oiy handwriting.
I applied to the Midland Cu unties Insuranse
Office to he appointed their agents at Reseal, mid
I rent them a propesel fur 10,000 i. on 13stee'e life.
Palmer and Bates called upon me and asked if I knew
whether the nee- had an agent is Regality, se they waited
I to raise tome money. I then unshed to the awe to be
alm'aPfra:aur:nkettlh.ednieelri'hoaa:°:siortao:bli.eitnajah;.:Uftledlelnlctandlitointot:tesot:ewliwiruwn.°lhtehdtivellh"ealrsttilieP‘ar: arlpiTsistmateliktig:l6;

tt 41• •
pit to give up her interest in the policy
/.r i's Ile, but oho mid she would
ilitiee bees arn9 sr enlicitor t 3 set for her. I
• k„„. thst Welter Palmer s'iroed ibis assignment of
ptmt
.4/ withal gettirg Laver' for I. bat he had
au a
kmee fers.shed, and got • bill tor 20(11. I dr.n't
arm test the h.i! w.ti sever paid. The s•gtie atte ting
Ilk di cam a' perdue:ad in my band-writing. and lo3king
I have nn doubt that the prisoner in the
"ma of Mt applied to me to attest a prop. sal
Ipole, y en his brother's if. The
suture is the stoned document is also in my
It is a simile, proposal to anothsr
ice, but I have steno d. übt whetner I did Lot
i.dc fro r.l of them prop-sole in blank. Cook gave
V• to NlLum Valuer for the its wino *shoo in the
Ist. l• was lest is May het year, and immediately
st• r ado Paint, min C. oh seat to the Shrewsbury races
I dot think the money ars sent op to Pratt to meet one
of Nimes bills.
Ita.ssinieet —I hove known Yrs. Palmer many
1,0, I knew her wen bet re her busband's
d. oh. I shoeld say sre is silty years of see.
Pa:mer is ■4 toe a test son. Joseph,
merchant et Ler rp .01, is the elee-t I should
soy he is between forty-five sad forty-six yr WS
.1 W. The neat sou is George, the solicitor,
it Kulp ley ; the neat is tt-e clereynne. There is
a s.stor lilies with ih4 mother, whn keeps three ats.
11. e house is a l opts use, ointaineg live b. dronme besides
the invests., end I generally slept in the r• nearest the
ehemb. There is no pretence for saying that I have
had improper intimacy with Mrs. It may hove
hem s, ...id bet I sh ould think there is no truth in it.
!laugh.)

/Or Loon then ooj •orr ert for half as Four.
(We shall coat ow our rep rt in • Liver Edition.]