The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-16 00:00:00

THE MURDER IN BLOOMSBURY.

John Groves, the alleged Fenian, charged with
the mauler of the bandsman 11`Donne11, was again
brought before Mr. Vaughan yesterday afternoon at the
Bow-street Police-court.

The prisoner had been brought to the station-house at
about half-past 9 o'clock in the morning, in the prison van,
which was guarded as before by armed police, mounted,
and riding in and on the van and two cabs. The assem-
blage in the streets during the day was not so great as on
former occasions, even when temporarily augmented by
the additional attraction of the apprehension of Mace.
The court itself, however, was if possible more densely
packed than before.
Mr. Poland, instructed by the Solicitor to the Treasury,
conducted the prosecution ; and Mr. Warner Sleigh ap-
peared for the prisoner.
Mr. Poland begged to be allowed to state the course he
wished to pursue. He proposed to examine the missing
cabman and one or two other witnesses, and also a hair-
dresser, whosold some false bairtoa man whom he believed
to be the prisoner. A still more important witness bad
been examined at the inquest, but with respect to that
person, a married woman, it was desirable both for the
crown and defence, and in the interests of truth and justice,
that an opportunity should be given for an ample inquiry
into her antecedents, and into the character of her testi-
mony, before placing her in the box. After proceeding as
far as he was able to do with the new witnesses now in
attendance, he should ask for a further remand for the pur-
pose named.
Mr. W. Sleigh protested against a furtherremand of
the case before the examination of the woman referred to.
She was examined at great length at the inquest, and her
evidence had never been out of his mind for the last twenty.
four hours. He could detect several important discre-
pancies in her statement, and it was of the utmost import-
ance that be should have an opportunity of convicting her
of these discrepancies, by cross-examination, before time
had been given her to reflect upon what she had stated,
and to correct her mis-statements. He hoped, therefore,
that this opportunity would be given to him to-day.
Mr. Vaughan said it was for the counsel for the crown to
conduct their case in the way in which they thought most
expedient. If her evidence was found to be unreliable, it
was probable that she would not be called at all ; and if
she was called ultimately, the same opportunity of testing
her evidence, by cross-examination, would be given to the
prisoner's counsel.
Mr. Warner Sleigh bowed to the decision of the court,
merely uttering his protest against the remand.
George Cox, 29, George-street, Foley-place, oil and
colounnan, said—On Friday night, 27th Sept., at about a
quarter to 12 o'clock, I was crossing from Bloomsbury-
square to Hart-street with a friend named Kirke. At the
corner of Bloomsbury-street and Hart-street I noticed two
men, of whom the prisoner was one. He was the shortest
of the two. The other was a tall man, from Mt.loin. to fift. I
They were reading a letter by the light of a lamp. I know
the time because my friend and I went to the Bull and
Anchor a few minutes afterwards and noticed the clock.
When we went away we left the men there. I heard of the
murder the next day while in my shop. I afterwards gave
information to the police. I saw the prisoner at this court
to-day, and I picked him out from a number of men and
identified him.

Oroas-examined by Mr. W. Sleigh—l ►m not a mas-
ter. I work at 198, Holloway-road. I have worked at the
trade nine or tot years. I have been in about five situa-
tions in that time, and left all with good characters. On
this occasion I h.td been to see my uncle. I did not see
him. I called at a public-house in Northampton-street
about a quarter past ten. My friend did not go with me.
I met him there. I don't know the name of the public-
house. I can tell you the name on the lamp—it is Moody.
Igo there to see my uncle. I don't go to his residence. I
don't know it. I don't often go there to look for him.
Mr. W. Sleigh—How many times have you been there
since the 27th'

Mr. Vaughan could not see the relevancy of these
questions.
Mr. W. Sleigh was sorry for it. He must press the
question.
The witness said he had only been there once since the
day. He first heard of it on the Saturday. He had not
told the inspector that be met his uncle at a public•house.
Part of his statement to the inspector was taken down at
the time and read over. He was asked if it was correct,
and he said yes. Did not mention to the inspector that
they had not taken down the whole. Told Superin-
tendent Serie that they had taken a part of hi■
statement. He was here cross-examined at great length
as to when he lint saw a report of the cue in
the papers; upon which point he spoke with some
uncertainty. He mentioned that he saw some account
of the occurrence in Lloyd's Newspaper. He also stated
that be read a portion of the report of the exami-
nation at the police-courts. Mr. W. Sleigh then read a
portion of the introduction to one of the police reports,
giving a description of the appearance of Groves when
placed in the dock, and the witness stated that he had
I seen that before he went to identify the prisoner. When
be went to see Superintendent Serie, at the Hunter-street
station, he knew that a reward had been offered, but did
not know the amount. He saw the placard offering
1001. reward while at the station. He knew Superintendent
Berle before. Had been a witner before—some live or six
times.

Mr. W. Sleigh—On your own account?
Witness—Yee ; and assisting the police as well.
Mr. W. Sleigh—Oh ! I shall net ask you any more
questions.
Witness—Thank you, air.
Re.examined—l first spoke to the police on Friday
night. I don't remember the date. I think it was a week
after the man was shot. I rim not quite certain whether
either of the two men had a beard. I think the prisoner
had whiskers.

Mr. James Jennings—l am a hairdresser, at 2.5, Tich-
borne-street, at the top of the Haymarket. I sold a false
beard and moustache in the week commencing Monday,
Sept. 16. It was what we call an entire beard. It was of
a lightish colour. I did not communicate with the police.
They came to me one day last week. I went to the House
of Detention, and saw thirteen or fourteen prisonen in the
cells. Each prisoner stood in his eell, and was called to
the front. I had seen seven or eight persons before I saw
the prisoner. I fancied I recognised the prisoner, but I
should not like to say positively that he is the man.
Mr. Poland—What is your belief
. .

Witness—My memory u to faces is very treacherous.
Mr. Poland—l must ask for an answer in terms ;do you
believe he is, or do you believe he is not, the man
Mr. W. Sleigh objectel to the witness being pressed
further, lie had given ar. answer, and the more the
learned counsel pressed it the more he got in the mire.
Mr. Poland—Then I wonder you object to it under
those circumstances.

Mr. Vaughan asked the witness if he had any belief
at all.

The witness sold be fancied the prisoner was similar in
the face to the man.
To Mr. Poland—lf I said I believed it was not the man
I should say wrong ; and if I said I believed it was the
man I should be in a muddle again.
Cross-examined by Mr. W. Sleigh—l passed the prl.
soner's cell before I said that I thought he was the man. I
did not, as a matter of feeling, like to say so before him.
Mr. W. Sleigh—Have you seen this advertisement in the
Papapers?
Witness—No ; I seldom see advertisement'', except occa-
sionally a theatrical advertisement.
Mr. W. Sleigh—Then you have no positive belief one
way or other!
Witness—No, my memory is so bad.
To Mr. Vaughan—l dressed the beard on his face. He
had a little whiskers, which I worked in with the artificial.
We remarked at the time that it was strange a man should
want to wear a false beard at that time of day, and that
be must be doing it for the purpose of disguising himself.
He went away wearing the beard.
Mr. Poland—What time of day was it?
Witness—lt was about the middle of the day.
Frederic Elan was called, but did not answer.
Henry Stephens, 46, Seckford-street, Clerkenwell, cash.
box manufacturer—On the morning of the 28th, at about
one o'clock, I was in Orange-street, which is to the east of
Southampton-row, on the left as you go from Holborn. I
was crossing Kingsgate-street, in an easterly direction.
IMy attention was attracted by the report of firearms. I
ran in the direction from which the sound came, and met
Ferber running is Vernon-place. I ran after him and
, seized him. I asked him what was the matter. He said,
" Where is there a policeman?—my friend is shot." After
some conversation I released him. I did not hold him •
minute. I went towards the square and met M'Donnell,
also running. He staggered, and I, finding he was the
man that was shot, caught him. I laid him down. He
asked me to take a handkerchief and stop the blood, but I
thought a doctor would do it better. I went to fetch one,
but when I knocked they would not answer the door. I
went back, and afterwards saw him taken away in a cab.
I did not see any other person running before I met
Farber. When I beard the shot I was going eastward, but
I turned back.

Mr. Poland stated that several other witnesses whom he
had intended tocall to-day were, he was informed, not in
attendance. He should, therefore, have to apply for an
adjournment. Those witnesses, he thought it right to
observe, would not be enabled to identify the prisoner.
Mr. Vaughan—Then I think now th►t Mr. Sleigh's
former application ought to be eassidered. I am bound