The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-31 00:00:00

The Saffron-hill Murder,

Yesterday afternoon, Mr W. Payne, coroner for the City
of London, held an inquiry at St. Bartholomew's Hospital,
into the circumstances of the alleged murder of Michael
Harrington, aged 42 years, by an Italian named Ssrafin

Polioni,
Mr Thomas Wakeling appeared to prosecute; Inspector
?otter watched the case for the police authorities.
The Coroner inquired whether any professional gentleman
appeared for the prisoner.
Mr Wakeliag said he understood not.
Mr Frederick Shaw was then called. He said he
was a licensed victualler, and kept the Golden Anchor ta-
vern, Great Saffron-hill. On Monday last, at about half-past
6 o'clock, he was in the bar. The prisoner Sarafini Poltcni
had come to the house about half-past 5, and he stood at a
side door and spoke to Mrs Shaw. When she went away the
Italian looked towards witness, and said, "I could kill six
such Englishmen as you." He could speak English, for he
had been years in this country. Witness took no notice of
the remark, and Sarafini went away. About half an hour
later there were six or seven foreigners in the house, and
one of them named Pegari was very excited. Sarafini was
not there at the time. Pegari said, "You should not have
struck that Italian," alluding to an occurrence of a few days
before. Pegari struck witness. Witness proceeded to go out
of the bar, but was pulled back by some customers. At
that moment three or four foreigners rushed into the house.
Witness believed Sarafini was one of them, for ha was
shortly after agds dragged out by the police. Witness then
saw Harrington insensible in the parlour. His bowels were
protruding. a
By Mr Wakeling—ln consequence of being struck, wit-
nem had called in police-constable Fawell. Witness did
not see deceased stabbed.

Mrs Maria King, wifo of William King, bone botton ma-
nufacturer, Leather-lime, said she was in the Golden An.
ohor Tavern on Monday. She saw Harrington there about
half-past s 4 o'clock. He was in the bagatelle-room. She
saw the prisoner. He struck her. As she was going out of
.the door t rjle prisoner, knocked he back. Ho was going into
the r00m... She did not see what ho did in the room. A

few minutes after that she saw him taken out by the police.
By MrWakeling—ho prisoner was going into the room
as witness was coming out. She did not know why he
struck her.

William Mellisham said that he was in the Golden An-
chor between six and seven o'clock on Monday evening.
Harrington was sitting in the bagatelle room singing.

They then heard a row outside with the Italians, and
they all rose to their feet. The prisoner rushed in the door,
several following him. He struck Harrington directly, It
was not a straightforward blow, but a sort of side blow and
in the chest. Harrington fell to the ground, Witness did
not see that Sarafini had anything in his hand. Witness
was pulled away by his wife, who said he would be mur-
dered. The prisoner was knocked down by ancther man.
The Italian was then secured until the police came. Wit-

ness then saw a number of Italians surround the house and
shout " Garibaldi for ever I" Next day witness saw a knife
that was picked up in the room. Witness saw blood on
Harrington. Something foil down from his stomach through
a wound in the stomach when ho was lifted up. None of
the other Italians actually entered the room with Sarafini.
Thoy only followed him to the room.
John Little, a French polisher, was also in the Golden
Anchor. While deceased and others were in the room, just
after Harrington sang, something was said that the Italians
were cowing to murder the Englishmen in the inner room.
That was about two minutes after Harrington's song was
ended. Sarafini then rushed in at once and struck Har-
rington a side blow. Harrington fell, exclaiming, " I am
stabbed I" The police came directly.
By Mr Wakeling—There was a party-12 or 14—of
Englishmen in the bagatelle room. Harrington did not say
one word to Sarafini. S'arafini did not say a word to any of
the party before ho stabbed Harrington. Witness was next
Harrington, and he might as well have beon stabbed as the
deceased.
William King said ho was in the bagatelle-room at the
Golden Anchor when Harrington sang. Witness's wife then
left the room, when Sarafini rushed in and knocked her
down. Witness went to pick her up and got knocked behind
the door. He then saw Harrington on the ground on his
back, and Sarafini on top of him. Witness pulled Sarafini
off and held him until the police came. Harrington ap-
peared hurt, but witness did not then know he was stabbed.
Harrington thou PRid that ho was e+4.bbed. Sarafini was in