The Express.
London, England, 1859-06-01 00:00:00

713 BICIIIIOND POISONING CASE.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. W. Cuter, coroner for
East Surrey, end the jury previously empanelled, reassembled
at the Richmond V. &try-ball, for the purpoes of further in•
quiting into the circumstances connected with iho death of
Isabella Banker.
Serjeant Bellantine, Instructed by Mr. Tceedelc, again
appeared to watch the asse on the part of the friends of the
de:suet The prisoner was onrepressated. The fleet wit-

ness called was
Dr. Oiling, physician and practical chemist at Guy's
Hospital, who said that on the 9th and 10th of the present
month he assisted Dr. Taylor in making an midrib of the
viscera of the deceased. He had no doubt there was antimony
therein, for it was found. He also examined Bottle No. 1
containing thlorate of pores with weenie. The evidence of
Dr. Julius, Mr. Bird, and Dr. Taylor, and the appearances
presented in the viscera which be bad examined, were con-
sistent with death resulting from poison. Small doses of
antimony cc arsenic freqten.ly adminhitered would produce
the appearances found in the viscera.
By Mr. Ballantine—Those tests applied by Dr. Taylor
were the most proper and the moat satisfactory of all tests.
Runach'e test is by boiling copper in hydrochloric acid. It
is the moat certain of all tests.
Mr. R. Barwell, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons,
and Aseistant-Surgeon and Lecturer at Charing-cruse How
pital, stated that he made a post-mortem examination of the
body on Wednesday, the 4th of Key, ranted by Mr. Palmer.
He perfectly agreed with Mr. Palmer In a statement he had
made with respect to there beige no chronic disease in the
brain, heart, and lungs. The inflamed state of the stomach
was not sufficient to care death. His opinion was
that, death was the result of inflammatory action
and ulceration of the intestines and visoers. The whole of
the Intestines were marked throughout, but particularly the
larger, as was also the mucous membrane. There was no
perforation. He thought it would be a mere matter of specu-
lation as to the time of the existence of such ulceration ; bat
he should wry not more than three weeks nor leas than six
days. He believed that ulceration and inflammation, com-
bined with the softened and broken down state of the mucous
membrane., wee the cause of death. His opinion wasZthat if
an Irritant were administered in small quantities, it would
produce such effects as those produced. The rectum was also
gorged with blood, and presented diffused spots.
Mr. Seejesnt Ballamine hero remarked that, unless the
jury wished him to go into the remaining evidence very fully,
he should merely examine the witnesses shortly, omitting lee
Important matter,.
The latter course being acceded to,
Mrs. Mary Smith won next called, and deputed that she
kept a boarffingthouse at No. 4, Rifle-terrace, Bayswater. A
lady named Isabella Bastes name to board with her in Sep-
tember last. A perms calling himself Dr. Smethurst and
his wife also boarded with witness. On the 29th November
Mlle Bakes left her house, and about the 12th of December
Dr. Southard also left and did not return. Mrs. Smethurst,
who is • lady shout 74 years of age, remained. Witness taw
Dr.
Dr. Smethurst once about a fortnight after be left. He
called to ass his wife. and witness's servant conducted him to
her room. Mn. Smethurst still remains with her as •
boarder.
Mrs. Mary Ann Gmbrowas, a boarding-house keeper, of
37, liilderwternice, Bayswater, stated that a lady named
Miss Isabella Betakes went to reside with her ssa boarder on
the 29th November last, and remained with her until about
the 9th or 10th of the following month. Witness did not
know Dr. Smethurst, nor had she ever heard him mum Miss
Bakes was a lady of very respectable merlons.
Mr. Jsmes Spicer, parish-clerk of St. Mary's, Bitterer,
produced the register of the marriage of Thomas Smethurst
and Isabella Bastes, signed by the respective parties. They
were marrtsd by the senior curate of the parish on the 9th
December.
Mr. T. B. Senior. a solicitor, residing at Richmond, said
that on the 30th Aprils person calling himself Dr. Smethurst
waited upon him and asked him if be would go up the Hill
and make • will for a sick pence. Producing a written do-
cument he said, " This is what the will is to be." He
further said that • barrister friend of his had sent It down
from London, but the lady wished to write it herself,
but he thought It better to have it done in •
professional manner. He again called about 9 o'clock on
the following morning (Sunday), and told witness not to
be later than 10 o'clock. Witness went to Alma Villas
about half-past 10, and seeing Dr. Smethurst below stairs,
he told him that although the lady and himself were living
together they were sot married. They then mot up Arm
and on entering the bed-roast Dr. Smethurst said. "My
dear, this is the gentleman who will make your will." The
paper was then handed to witness by the lady, and on his
reading it over to her end asking her if it was correct, des
replied that It was with the exception of a wish to leant •
brooch to • friend. The document was then re-written and
subsequently signed by the sick lady, • Mir Susannah
Wheatley, and witness. Dr. Smethurst was present the
whole time, with the exceptioa of a short period while he
went to fetch Miss Wheatley. (The will was hare put in
and read. It expressed the wish of the deceased to leave her
property to her dear Themes Smethurst, doctor of mediae.,
Irving him her sole executor. The brooch, set with dia-
mends and pearls, and containing • portico of the hair of her
father, wee left to a friend.)
Inspector R. G. WI ott resold that on taking the prisoner
into cuetody, he took two letters from him, one addressed to
Mrs. Mary Smethurst, 4, Rifle-terrace, Queen's-row, Bays-
water, London. (This letter wee here put in. It was dated
May 2, 1859, and atter addressing her as his dear Mary,
samented tor his long absence from hems by stating that his
medical aid was required, but if nothing unforeseen should
occur, he would be home by the 11th. The letter concluded
by giving his best love, and subscribing himself as has
aff.ctionstely.)
Meia Louisa Bakes, dieter to the deceased, was and called,
and her previous evidence reed one to her by the coroner.
In reply to that gentleman she said she did not know
what became of the jelly after • small portion of it
had been given to her serer by Dr. Smethurst. The sig-
h natures now produced were those of Dr. Smethurst and her
sister.
By Mr. Serjeant Bsllentins—The decreed had • life
interest in 5,0001. In the Fonda, and the dieposal of a further
sum ot 1,80 W., which at the time of her death wasout upon
I mortgage, and which she could not obtain for some two or
three maths.
By the Coroner—When witness visited her sister at Rifle-
terrace, and there saw Dr. Smethurst, there were no obser-
vations made with respect to property. Having had area-
pondence with Dr. Smethurst, she was able to say that the
letter addressed to Mrs. Smethurst, and signed " Thomas
Smethurst," wee the eignature of Dr. Smethurst.
A copy of the certificate of the marriage of Thomas
' Smethurst with Mary Durham, in 1828, was here produeed,
but not pat in, being merely adduced to show a motive for
the commission of the crime charged.
A jurymen wished to knew whether, shortly before the
death of the lady, Dr. Smethurst had the opportunity of
making away with any medicine ?
M. Challoair, the some who attended on the deceased
M
er prior sad up to her death, stated that no person after the
=day administered food to the deceased except herself,
Mir Basler and Mr. Bird.
Mr. &desist Ballantine said be should not produce any
father evidence.
The Corona having summed up, the jury retired, and
after an absence of about half an hour they returned into
court with • verdict of "Wilful murder" against Thomas
Smethurst.