The Express.
London, England, 1857-11-03 00:00:00

MURDER NEAR LIVERPOOL.

The Wootton magistrates were engaged yesterday
in the investigation of a charge of murder preferred against
Andrew O'Brien, the keeper of a public-house in Hanover-
street Liverpool. The victim is an old woman, Mary May-
ans by name, the mother-in-law of the prisoner, and who
resided at Mach Wootton, • village about six miles from
Liverpool. She was • person of some mane, and it appears
that a short time sr she lent the prisoner 6001., which has
not yet been repaid. O'Brien aml his wife went out to
Wootton on Friday last, end Mrs. O'Brien stayed with her
husband at the house of Mrs. Molynenx until Saturday after-
noon, when she left him there, and returned to Liverpool.
O'Brien is a person of very drunken habits, and generally,
when he netted his mother-in-law, was intoxicated, as he
wee upon this occasion, On Sunday moenteg he naked for
some whiskey, a gill of which wea given to by Me,.
Molyneux. n• prirmcr and his mother-in-law were left
alone together that afternoon, and when Mrs. Moss, the
landlady of the hour, returned, she found that the prisoner
had during this interval destroyed old Mrs. Molyneux by
ensagalation, sad by knocking her heed violently upon the
leading. The whole neighbourhood wee astir, nispieloas
noises having been heard in the betas as of some persons
reaping sad tramping, alternated with heavy thumper on the
Soar, by several people either rending near or pining the
spot. One neighbour, Margaret Collins by name, when
attention was arrested by three noises, went into the
which is overlooked by one of the windows of Mrs..lrdol7
Deux'. room, and while there she aw the old lady's had and
arm hanging out of the open window. Presently the pri-
soner came up to the window and dragged the body into the
room. The body waa motionless and apparently dead. The
house wee then broken open, and the prisoner was discovered
leaning over the deceased, whose body was lying on the
Boor, traces of blood being apparent both on the window rill,
on the floor and Landing, end upon the priaoner's person.
O'Brien seemed calm, and said, " I've dons it." Ile did not
seem disposed to avert the responsibility, nor to desire to
cape. When brought to the police-station and asked why
he had been taken there, he said, "For the murdered Martha
Molyneiu." When questioned before the magistrates pre-
vious to his committal he said, .1 wish to make no state-
ment but that I did it ender a feeling that I was bound to de
it. 1 was in such a state that I never was before from drink,
and I saw the pictures all moving round rite. If I had been
In my right mind I would rather have lost my life than have
taken her's." The prisoner was then committed for trial at
the next anises. When Le perpetrated the crime he appears
to have been under the intluenie of difirimoi frown,.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL Cointre—A epccial session at
this court was held pmenent to the previsions et
the Central C Come foe the purpose of tieing the
dips be betike Mme amine the seaming year. Boom
Am dem efdedt the 1111Yrrieg learned judge. catered the
meet, amen by the Right lion. the Lord Mayor, Mr.
Alderman Mr. I'Eder-Shertif Millen], Mr. Under-
Shariffholme„ the Lon' Chief Baron Pi.ilock, Mr. Jur-
Nal filr. Justine 31r. Juetii e Crowder,
Mr. hole Mr. Justice Willis, Mr. Baron Bram-
&Mt Mrs, end Mr. Baron Channel!. Mr.
ptelk Ms Chid If Me Armigne, them mid thee the fol-
lowing bps bed bra appointed by their lordedipe foe hold-
hf_bs_mmieme dhs Central Criminal Court for the m-
:-11117—Monday, Non. 23; Monday, Der. 14.
--irmeday, Jan. 4; Monday, Feb. l; Monday, Feb.
22; Mesiay, April .5; Monday, Msy 10; Monday, June 14;
Monday, July 5 ; Monday. August 16; Monday, Sept. 20;
Monday, Oot. 25. The court wm thee schotroid.