The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-12 00:00:00

THE CASE OF SHOOTING A WOMAN AT

ISLEW OBTE.

Yesterday afternoon, George Messenger, aged 25,
a zinc-worker, of George-street, Richmond, was
brought up in custody, from the House of Deten-
tion,Cierkenwell, and charged before J. Frere,Esq.,
and two other magistrates, at the Brentford Petty
Sessions, on suspicion of causing the death of a
young woman named Annie Barnham, by shooting
her through the head.
The prisoner was first examined on Friday last,
and aftewards remanded till Wednesday next, but
in consequence of the evidence that was adduced at
the inquest on Saturday the magistrates sent an
order for the prisoner to be brought before them
yesterday.
The evidence taken on the former occasion was
read over by Mr. Faunch, the assistant clerk, from
which it appeared that on Thursday night last,
about a quarter-past nine o'clock, police-constable
Coggin was on duty in the Twickenham-road, Isle-
worth, when he received information that a woman
had been shot in Brewhouse-lane. The prisoner
passed him at the time, and he was requested to
look after him, as he was suspected of knowing
something about the murder. The prisoner ap-
peared in an excited state, and he asked him to re-
turn with him, to which he at first hesitated, but he
afterwards accompanied him. When asked to ac-
coant forbeing in a hurry, he stated that he had a
return ticket and wished to catch the train at Rich-
mond. He was searched, but only a few apples
were found upon him. He had no railway ticket.
One of the constables who saw him believed he was
under the influence of liquor. The murder was
discovered a little before nine o'clock. A boy named
Randall was standing before the Railway Inn when
he heard the report of firearms from the direction
of the church. Soon afterwards another boy came
running to him, and told him that a woman had
been shot. He went to the spot, and found the de-
ceased lying
on the footpath, her bonnet on fire,
and she bleeding from both sides of the head. An
alarm was raised,and the deceased,who never spoke,
was removed to the Union. Two witnesses were
examined, but they were unable to swear to the
identity of the prisoner. A young man was seen with
the deceased in Brewhouse-lane shortly before
the occurrence, but in consequence of its being dark
the witnesses were unable to speak as to the per-
son. One, however, thought the man was much
stouter than the accused. The prisoner made a
statement to the effect that he knew nothing of the
murder—that he heard of a woman having been
shot before he entered the lane, and that he was on
his way to take the ferry to Richmond. Inspector
Rigarlsford investigated the prisoner's statement as
to where he had been on the day in question, and
he found it quite correct, and also that he was a
most respectable man, living in Richmond. This
was the substance of the evidence taken on Friday,
and upon which the prisoner was remanded.
Inspector Rigarlsford produced the following ad-
ditional evidence :
Ephraim Coughtrey said—l am ostler at the Che-
quers Inn, Isleworth. Between eight and nine
o'clock on Thursday night I was sitting in front of
the house, when I saw the deceased in company of
a man, about five feet eight inches, with fair com-
plexion and light-coloured whiskers. I knew the
deceased. The man said, " Annie, have something
to drink," and she said, " No, Sem, I'd rather not."
I understood her to say " Jem." He went into the
house and called for a pint of ale. She drank one
glassfull, and he drank the remainder. I did not
know the man, but I had seen him once before. The
prisoner is net the man. There was no light out-
side the house. The Chequers Inn is about 10
minutes' walk from the spot where the deceased
was shot. They walked away quietly together.
She appeared very dull. I never saw her like it
before. The man had no moustache.
This prisoner is a dark-complexioned young man,
with a small moustache.
Thomas Barnham—l live at Isleworth. The
deceased is my cousin. I was coming down Brew-
house-lane on Thursday night about 20 minutes
to nine o'clock. I saw the deceased and a tall
young man with her. He was dressed in dark
clothes like a groom. It was about 200 yards from
the place were she was found shot. I did not
know the man. I never saw him before. He
was walking in the road and she was on the path.
I did not hear them talking. They were going up
the lane. The prisoner was not the man. I did
not see the prisoner that evening. I was not ac-
quainted with the reputed husband of the deceased.
Inspectorßigarlsford was sworn, and said—From
inquiries I have made since the examination of the
•
prisoner I believe he is not the man who committed
the murder. The description given by the witnesses
correspond with the man for whom a search is being
made. I believe the man has absconded.
In answer to gnestions from one of the magistrates
the inspector stated that no powder was found on
the prisoner, nor any bullets.
The magistrates consulted together, after which
Mr. Frere addressed the prisoner, and told him the
Bench had much satisfaction in discharging him,
as they believed him innocent of the crime, and be
would leave the court free from any imputation. In
discharging him they would bind him over in his
own recognisances to appear to give evidence when-
ever he received instructions.
The prisoner's recognisances were then taken, and
he left the court with a number of friends who had
attended to hear the remelt or the cumination.