The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-22 00:00:00

THE MURDER IN ST. GILES'S.

The greatest excitement was occasioned this morning in
the neighbourhood of St. Giles's, by the report that a man
had given himself up as the murderer of Emma Jackson.
The man in question last night called at the police.
station. at Hoxton, and having said he wished to give him-
self up as the murderer of Emma Jackson, he was at once
conveyed to the George-street station, St Giles's, and with
the least delay possible some of the witnessses examined at
the coroner's inquest were called in to identify the prisoner
as the man who entered the house with the unfortunate
woman. About half-past three he was conveyed to Bow-
street Police-court in a cab, and as the vehicle approached
the entrance of the court, the immense crowd which had
collected in front rushed to meet it, all anxious to catch a
glimpse of the prisoner.

EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONER AT BOW-

STREET.

After the night charges were disposed of the prisoner
was placed in tee deck, and

Mr. Burnaby, the chief clerk, said he was charged on his
own confession with having wilfully murdered Emma
Jackson, in George-street, St. Giles's. He then asked
the man his name and address.

The prisoner said his name was John Richards, that he
resided at No. 25, Crescent-street, Euston-road, and that
he was a carpenter.

John Kell, 147 N, said about a quarter to 10 o'clock
last night I was on duty at the station, Robert-street,
Holton. The prisoner came in, and I asked him what
he wanted. He said, " I want to see the inspector."
I told him be had moved to the new station Kingsland-
road. I then asked him what he wanted to see the inspector
for. He said, " I want to give myself up for murdering a
woman." I cannot be certain whether he said "in" or
"at" St. Giles's. I said if you wait a moment I will ac-
company you to the station. I went to the door for the
purpose of taking the key from the inside for the purpose
of locking the station up, and seeing a cab driver outside,
I eent him to latch the waterman, as I could not get
another constable.

Mr. Henry—You wanted assistance.
Witness—Yes. He seemed very excited. The water-
man came and we conveyed the prisoner to the station. As
we were going there the prisoner said something which I
could not understand, and I told him to be careful, as what
he said might be used in evidence against him. When we
passed a publichouse he wanted to go in and have a pint of
beer, and on his being refused he tried to get away from us.
I was obliged to hold him very tightly. I told him if he
went to the station quietly he should have some beer when
he got there.
Mr. Henry—Was that all he said
Witness—Yes.

Mr. Henry—Did he say anything at the station?
Witness—The inspector first cautioned him as he was
going to ask him some questions. After that he refused to
answer anything.

Mr. Henry—Did you hear what the inspector asked ?
Witness—He asked him his name and address, and he
refused to give it. The inspector told me I had better take
him to th 6 district in which the murder was committed.

Mr. Henry—Was he sober ?
Witness—No, your worship.
Mr. Henry—Was he very drunk ?
Witness—No, your worship; but I could see he had been
drinking.

Mr Henry—What have you to say to the evidence of
the constable ?

Prisoner—l have no recollection at all about the matter.
I was very drunk. There is not the slightest foundation
for what I said. My wife will prove I was at home when
the murder was committed. Some months ago I was thrown
off a cab, and when I take anything it gets into my head.
Mr. Henry asked Inspector Williamson, who had charge
of the case, whether he had any other evidence to offer.
Inspector Williamson said—l first saw the prisoner at the
station-house in Clark's-buildings, George-street, this
morning. He then said, I shall tell you nothing till my
solicitor, Mr. Lewis, appears before the magistrate at Bow-
street. I adhere to the statement I have made to the con-
natable at two o'clock this morning. He (prisoner) said he
had made the confession in a drunken frolic. He appeared
then to me as if he was getting sober. I then placed him
in the yard with five or six other men, and some of the wit-
nesses examined before the coroner said they believed he
was the man.

The prisoner—I can bring a dozen people to prove where
I was the day the murder was committed.
Mr. Henry (to inspector Williamson)—The mere con-
fession of a drunken man would go for nothing unless you
have some corroborative evidence. Have you any wit-
nesses who can show anything in support of the charge ?
Inspector Williamson—No. The prisoner was detained
solely on his own confession.
Mr. Henry—The police did perfectly right to detain him ;
but the question is whether you can prove anything against
him.

Inspector Williamson—l think not, sir.
Mr. Henry—You don't think there is any foundation for
that confession ?

Inspector Williamson—No. I believe it to be what he
says—a mere drunken frolic.

Prisoner—My wife can prove the time I left on Thursday
morning, and I've been at work ever since. Other work-
men can prove it. I have been drinking for the last two
or three days with some friends from abroad.

Mr. Henry—lt shows you the danger of getting drunk.
Prisoner—lt does, sir. It will be a caution to me.
Mr. Henry—He does not correspond with the description
I have seen.

The prisoner was about the height described, but looked
considerably older. He might pass for 35 rather
than 26. He wears a tuft of hair under his chin, but he
does not appear to have weak eyes. He had in his hand a
black felt hat.

Inspector Williamson—The two men are here who were
at work with the prisoner, and they are prepared to swear
that he was at work with them at the time the murder was
supposed to have been committed, Perhaps you would like
to hear them, sir ?
Mr. Henry—Let them be called.
Pr soner—Call Robert Ward.

Robert Ward, of No. 10, Nicholas-street, New North-
road, carpenter, said—l work for Mr. Davis, builder, of
Old-street. I know the prisoner; he has been at work
with me on the same job. He has been working every da)
for the last month, except Monday and Tuesday in the
Easter week. He was there for about an hour on Wed-
nesday.

Mr. Henry—Was he at work on the Thursday ?
Witness—Yes ; he came at 7 o'clock in the morning.
Inspector Garforth—The man and woman were supposed
to have entered the house in George-street a quarter before
8 on Thursday morning.
Fredk. Land, a painter, also in the employ of Mr. Davis,
said the prisoner was also in the same employ.
Mr. Henry—Was the plisoner there on the Thursday in
Easter week ?
Witness—Yes ; I saw him in the workyard about half-
past seven that morning.
Mr. Henry (to Inspector Williamson)—Have you any
reason to suspect that the prisoner is the person who com-
mitted the murder ?
Inspector Williamson—Not in the least. I believe it
was the result of a fit of drunkenness.
Mr. Henry—The police were perfectly justified in detain-
ing you in custody after such a declaration, and I would
have detained you further if I th,)ught there was any
ground for that confession, but as it is quite clear that
there is no foundation for it I shall discharge you.
Prisoner—Not the least.
Mr, Henry—I shall discharge you, The imprisonment
you have undergone is the consequence of your own drunk-
enness.

INDICTMENT OF THE HOUSES IN GEORGE-
Mr. Rivolta, solicitor to St. Giles's Vestry, applied for
warrants for the apprehension of the keepers of seven
houses in George-street, on a charge of keeping brothels
and disorderly houses, including that in which the murder
was committed, with a view to their indictment at the
sessions.

The houses in question are those numbered respectively
2,3, 4,5, 6,9, and 10.
The warrants were granted, and Mr. Braddick, the
was bound over to prosecute,
inspector a nuisances,