The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-24 00:00:00

Samuel Hillier, aged 29 years, a carman. was yes.
terday brought np on remand before Mr. Dayman,
at the Wandsworth Police-court, charged, on sus-
picion, with having caused the death of Charles
Champion, another carman.
The evidence adduced on the first examination
went to prove that between seven and eight
o'clock on the night of Saturday, the 27th ult.,
the deceased was discovered lying on his back
outside his employer's stables in the yard of the
ine Elms Tavern. His face was smothered in
blood and mud, and he appeared to have been se-
verely injured. He was seen at Nine Elms by one
of his mates at 20 minutes past 7 o'clock, ane he was
then quite well. He hid had a little drink, but he
was able to do his work and walk steadily. After
he was discovered in the stableyard ho Ras removed
to St. Thomas's Hospital, where he subsequently
expired. The only evidence affecting the prisoner
was a threat used in the taproom of the Niue Elms
Tavern shortly before the deceased was discovered.
Between 5 and 6 o'clock in the evening the prisoner
entered the taproom in a state of intoxication, and
stated to Maynard, a lighterman, that he had
been looking for old Charley Champion, and that
he should not best him out of a " tanner" (sixpence).
Maynard cautioned him not to have anything to do
with him, as he was a likely man to stick a knife
into him. The prisoner replied by using strong
language, and said that if the deceased stuck a
knife in him he would kick him. The prisoner re-
mained drinking for some little time, and when he
left the taproom Maynard saw him take the turn-
ing leading to the stableyard, where the deceased
was subsequently discovered.
Mr. Jefferson, the house sargeon of St. Thomas's
Hospital, now attended and stated that the deceased
died on Friday, the 9th inst., from injuries he had
received to the spine and brain. They were not
likely to have been produced by a drunken man
falling down, but they might have been caused by
blows or kicks, especially the injury on the back.
The nose was broken, and some smaller bones in the
skull were also broken. Witness could not conceive
how the injuries to the front and back of the de-
ceased's head could have been caused by a fall.
Mr. George Hunt, a contractor, of Nine Elms,
said the deceased was in his service. The prisoner
worked for Mr. Bryant, a coal merchant, opposite
to him. Witness saw the deceased while he was
alive in the hospital. He told him that he was
afraid he would not live, and the deceased answered
that he was afraid he should not. Witness said,
" Have you any idea who the parties are ?" He
partially moved his head, and said " Yes, I know
them." Witness asked him how it arose, and he
said, " Master, I went in to get myself half a pint
of beer, and because I would not spend all the six-
pence a lot 01' coaiies' pitched on to me. Jemmy
would not help me, 'and Jemmy was the worst of
all." This was all the deceased said, and witness
went away, as he saw that he was faint.
Inspector Abrook, who took the prisoner into cus-
tody, said the man jemmy had since absconded.
Mr. Wilson, who defended the prisoner, contended
that the evidence of Mr. Hunt did not effect his
client.
Mr. Dayman observed that Mr. Hunt described
the cause of the quarrel, and the witness Maynard
spoke about that which connected the prisoner.
Mr. Wilson said the prisoner denied having made
the statement. He then called
Two men named Bonner and Stenning, both in the
employ of Mr. Bryant, who stated that on the night
in question they were with the prisoner, and their
wives and children, and about six o'clock in the
evening they were in front of the Nine Elms Tavern
and had some gin and beer. They left about half-
past six o'clock by the front door, and walked slowly
to the Plough and Harrow, Battersea-fields, a dis-
tance of half a mile. They left there at half-past
seven o'clock, and also the prisoner and his wife, at
the corner of Sleaford-street. The prisoner and his
wife were going down the street to their home.
Inspector Abrook said he could produce the land-
lord of the Plough and Harrow to prove that the
parties entered the house in a drunken state at the
time he was drawing the eight o'clock beer.
Mr. Dayman said he should remand the prisoner
for another week, as his own statement showed
that he was concerned in some way with the ufirsy.
He consented to accept the same amount bf bail—
namely, two sureties of £2O each, or one in £4O.
The prisoner, who had not been able to procure
bail, was again locked up.