The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-28 00:00:00

rim SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENINGIOCTOBFR, 28,t._ 1869.;

THE MURDER OF MR BRIGGS.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT—THis DAY.

THE TRIAL OF MULLER,
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crowded.
At ton o'clock the Lord Chief Baron Pollock and Baron
Martin took their seats on the b,nch.
The prosecution was conducted by the Solicitor-General
Sergeant Ballantine, Mr Hannan, Mr Beasley, and M;
Giffard.
The prisoner was defended by Sergeant Parry, Mr Besley,
and Mr Metcalfe.
A few minutes before the judges arrived Muller appeared
in the dock, and had a very hasty interview with his soli-
citor, but afterwards he immediately retired.
The names of the jury having been called over,
it The prisoner was placed at the her by the Governor of
Newgate, and the trial then proceeded.
The first witness called was
John Henry Glass, who, in his examination by Mr Gif-
ford, said—l am a tailor in the employ of Mr Hodgkinscn.
I have known the prisoner about four years. On Thursday
the 12th of July he came to me in the shop, about 4 o'clock
in the afternoon, and asked me if I would buy a watch. Ho
showed me a gold ono. He said that he had also got a
chain, but that it was in pawn for £l. He told me he
wanted money to go to America, and that was the reason he
asked me to buy a watch and chain, the latter of which wee
in pawn. I told him to come the next morning, which he
did, and I redeemed the chain for £l. We afterwards went
to Cox's, near Leicester-square, and there the watch and
chain were pawned by the prisoner for £l. The prisoner
actually pawned the things. I took the ticket and he the
money. It was pawned in my name. I gave him 5s more
for the ticket, so altogether I had advanced £1 ss, as I had
to pay the money to take out the chain. We then went in
en omnibus to the Bank, where we parted, prisoner saying
he was going to the London Docks to get a ticket for New
York.
Cross-examined by Sergeant Parry—The prisoner had
been in this country four years. He is a native of Saxe
Weimar. During the whole time I have known the pri-
soner he has always borne the character of a kind and in-
dustrous young man. I don't know he was in the habit
of pawning his watch and chain in order to exchange them.
I did not, a fortnight before the pawning I have spoken of,
see money in the prisoner's possession. I don't know how
much the prisoner could earn in a week. lam a piece-
worker, and can earn 30s. or 365. a week.
Henry Smith, assistant to Mr Barker, a pawnbroker in
Shoreditch—On the 22d of June I took a gold Albert chain
in pawn from the prisoner. Chain No. 3is the one. I ad-
vanced £1 upon it. The prisoner took a new ticket on the
12th of July, and the next day, tho 13th, it was redeemed—
I believe by Muller.
Alfred Way—l was formerly assistant to Mr Barker.
On the 13th of June last I took a watch in pawn from the
prisoner. The one produced (Muller's watch) is the same.
I advanced him £1 upon it. It was redeemed on the 12th
of July by the prisoner.
Charles Young—l am an assistant to Mr Amies, 121,
Minories, pawnbroker. I recollect on the 12th of July
taking a pledge of a gold watch from a man. The chain
No. 3 is not the ono. The person pawning gave the name of
John Muller. I should not know it again. I advanced
£1 10s. The address given was 21, Jowry-street.
Cross-examined—lt is very common to supply Christian
names. I did so on the occasion I refer to.
Jonathan Mathews, examined by the Solicitor General
—He said : I am a cabdriver. I knew the prisoner, and had
done so for more than two years before 9th July. During
that time I have seen him frequently—he used to come to
my place. I recollect a circumstance about a hat for the pri-
soner. It took place about the latter end of November or
December. I had a new hat on when he Clime to dine
with me on a Sunday, and seeing it on he said he should
like one like it. He put it on his head and found it a trifle
too small. He asked me what I gave for it, and I told
him 10s 6d. He said he should like one, and I told him I
would get one, I put it on his head and found it was small.
I said then if I get one easy for myself it would do- He
said it would. I purchased the hat at the shop
of Mr Walker, Crawford-street, Marylebone. I got
it on a Saturday evening, and I took it home in a hat
box, and on the Sunday week following Muller came for it.
He took away both hat and box. I paid 108 6d for the hat.
The prisoner did not pay me all the money : he made the
waistcoat I now have on in part payment. I afterwards
saw him wear the hat after that frequently. I saw him
wearing the hat a fortnight before the murder. I gave a
description of the hat to the police before I saw it. I be-
lieve the hat now shown me to be the hat. Before I took
the hat away from Mr Walker's I asked to have it turned
up a little more in the brim. After I had it done I took it
away. I know it had merino under the brim, I recollect
seeing a small jeweller's box at my house, with the name of
Death on it. I first noticed it on a Tuesday morning. I
afterwards saw a handbill, and then I took the box to the
police.

Cross-examined by Sergeant Parry—l identify this hat
not only by the brim, but by other things. I had the rim
turned up specially to make it like my own.
The prisoner here handed a memoranda to his counsel.
Sergeant Parry hero made some remark upon the depo-
&Mon, and was about asking him some question, when
The Solicitor-General objected,
Baron Martin—The best way will bo to ask whether he
did not give a different statement before the magistrate.
Sergeant Parry—Did you not say on the occasion I refer
no that you saw the one rim turned up more than the other ?
Witness—Yes.
Sergeant Parry—ls not this the first time you ever said
anything about the hatter turning the rim ?
Witness—Yes. I cannot say 'what I have done with
the bat I bought. I bought it at Mr Walker's. I bought
one of my hats in Oxford-street. I did say I left my old
hat at Mr Down's in Long-acre. I bought the hat in
Oxford-street three weeks before I went to America. I
cannot say whether it was Down's in Long-acre or Holborn.
I did say I left one of my old hats at Down's, but that is a
mistake. Before the coroner I said the next hat I purchased
was a cheap one ; I bought it at Down's in Long-acre,
and gave Ss 61 for it, and that I left the old one. It is a
mistake. I find Mr Down has not a shop in Long-acre. I
discovered the mistake. Mr Clarke, the police officer, was
with me when I found Mr Down had not a shop in Long-
acre. I occasionally throw my old hats into the dusthole. I
was asked if I could swear to the colour of the lining of my
own hat, and I said I could not. I first heard of
the murder on the Thursday in the week following. I
mean to say I never hoard of it before. I had been occa-
sionally on the rank during the time, but I never hoard of
it. I don't frequent public houses, but I might have gone
into one for a single glass of ale every day about the
time you mention. I take in a Sunday paper, but I did
not see an account of the murder in it, I won't say it was
the fault of the paper; but I did not look particularly at it.
I live at 68, Earl-street, Paddington. I never saw any
placards noticing the murder posted up anywhere.
Here a short consultation took place between the counsel
for the defence.
Cross-examined—l knew Muller was going to America.
I gave information to the police on Monday the 18th. I
knew then Muller had gone to America by the Victoria. I
knew he was to sail on the 11th. He had been to my
house to bid us good bye. I was out with my cab on the
9.h of July. I said before the coroner it was impossible for
me to say where I was on the evening of that day. I have
made inquiries to ascertain where I was on that evening.
I did so in consequence of losing a pocketbook, which I
have since recovered.
Sergeant Parry—Did I not see you slip a paper into
your pocket just now ?
Witness—Yes.
Sergeant Parry—Produce it.
The witness did so.
Sergeant Parry—This is a letter written in September.
Is the writer here?
Witness—Yee.
Sergeant Parry—ln your examination before the coroner
did you not say your employer, Mr Perkins, was sold up.
witness—Yes.
Sergeant Parry—You now say sold off. Is that another
mistake ?
Witness—Yes.
Sergeant Parry—How long have you been a cabman ?
Witness—Four years.
Sergeant Parry—Have you been anything else ?
Witness—Yes, in a training stable; that's a long time ago.
Sergeant Parry—What else have you been doing ?
Witness—l have occasionally been in the fly buainess.
I have driven for the London General Omnibus Company.
Sergeant Parry—Have you ever been a gentleman's
coachman ?
Witness—No.
Sergeant Parry—Do you know Mr Linklater ?
Witness—Yes, but I never drove for him.
Sergeant Parry—Have you ever been insolvent or bPnk-
rupt ?
Witness—No.
Sergeant Parry—Have you never been in business at
Brixton ?
Witness—Yes.
Sergeant Parry—Have you ever said that when you got
the reward you would pay your debts?
Witness—No,
Sergeant Parry—Do you expect the reward ?
Witness—l leave that to the country. It they are stabi-
l' xl I have done my duty, I won't say I don't expect a part

Sergeant Parry—Havo you never said it you hid kept
your mouth longer Phut you would have got a reward of
£500?
Witness—No.
Sergeant Parry—Have you ever been convicted ?
Witness—Yes.
Sergeant !'arty—What for ?
Witness—For a spree, and absconding from driving a
coach. I had 21 days for it.
Sergeant Parry—Were you at Norwich in 1851?
Witness--No.
Sergeant Parry—re careful. Yr)ur nama is Jonathan
Mathews ?