The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-21 00:00:00

41210 RD MURDER AT HUTH.

Yesterday afternoon, at 2 o' clock, lir. C.J. Carttor,
coroner for West Kent, opened an inquiry, at Enth into
the circtunstanoes attendmg the death of a man, named
James Bishop, who it was alleged expired on Sunday
morning last, from the effects of injuries received on the
previous Saturday night, at the hands of two young men
named William Pink and John Fletcher, and, as stated,
without any provocation on the part of ,the demised man.
From the evidence of witnesses it appeared that the
deceased was knocked down, beaten, and severely kicked,
in the streets of Erith, by the prisoner Pink, whilst the
prisoner Fletcher was standing near, but the latter did
not appear to have taken any active part in the murde-
rous assault. In reply to the coroner, the polio. authori-
ties stated that they had most important evidence
to adduce, and the inquest was then adjourned.
At four o'clock the prisoners were placed at the bar of
the Woolwich Police-court, before Mr. Maude, the sitting
magistrate, on the charge. The case appeared to excite
much interest, and the court was crowded. The follow-
ing evidence was now taken':—Polioe-Sergeant
16 It, said on Saturday night he was sent for from the
station to quell a disturbance in the streets. After the
death of Bishop on Sunday morning he apprehended
Fletcher for being concerned in the charge, but he denied
it. Pink said that the deceased first struck him in
the face, and he returned the blow. David
Crankshaw, a millwright, residing at Royal-hill,
Erith, said on the previous Saturday night about
twenty minutes past 11 o'clock he was near the
Prince of Wales public-house, when he saw the deceased
man Bishop and Pink apparently lighting. Whilst Bishop
was in the act of falling Fletcher kicked him on the right
side. Witness said he was sure the man would be killed,
and sent for some brandy, some of which was placed in
his mouth. On the following morning witness went to
the residence of the deceased, who was then dying.
Thomas Valley said he beard a noise in the street on Sa-
turday night, and being in bed got up to see what was the
matter. He saw Fletcher jumping about, and Pink struck
Bishop on his noes till it bled. Bishop was then reeling about.
Pink struck him again and knocked him down, standing
over him with his fist closed, and saying, " You —, if
you lay there I will kill you." He then baled the decamped,
and witness beard his head crack, and said, " The man is
dead." The deoesaed was taken in the first place to Dr.
Churton's, and from thence to his own home. James
Halyard, an engineer, said be was going home at the
time in question, and saw Pink strike the deceased several
times in the manner described. The deceased had been in
company with witness and other at a bean feast during
the day, but the accused men were not there. He did not
see Fletcher strike the deceased. In reply to Mr. Maude,
the inspector who bad charge of the case said there was
much additional evidence to bring forward. Mr. Maude—
As the Maidstone Assizes will commence to-morrow, it is
important for the prisoners that they should be committed
during the present week. The prisoners were remanded.

AGRICULTURAL wow, LEICESTER.