The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-05 00:00:00

THE MURDER IN RATCLIFF _HIGHWAY.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. John Humphreys, the
coroner for Middlesex, held an inquiry at the
George and Vulture Tavern, Ratcliff-highway, St.
George's-in-the-East, on view of the body of James
Gardener, aged 38 years, lately residing at No. 1,
Denmark-street, who died from the mortal effects
of a stab wound in the abdomen, inflicted by
Patrick Devereux, a mariner.
The full details of the case have been reported
under the head of "Thames Police-court."
Ii will be remembered that the deceased and the
man Devereux were seen quarrelling at the bar of
the George and Vulture on the evening of Wednes.
day, the 29th ult. The accused said to deceased,
" If you don't settle with me, I will give you some-
thing you don't know." Devereux pushed against
the deceased, and they went out into the street, but
had only gone a few yards when the landlady heard
deceased exclaim, " Oh! he has stabbed me." The
deceased returned to the public-house, when he
said, "Pray, send for a doctor." He was conveyed
into the parlour, where Dr. Ross, the divisional
surgeon, was then called, and deceased was removed
to his home, where he expired at two o'clock on
Sunday last.
The whole of the witnesses examined before the
magistrate repeated their testimony, but no new
facts were elicited. . _

4.• V V., • • v `•••
Dr. Ross, of High-street, Shadwell, proved that
the deceased died from an incised wound in the
abdomen, about three inches and a half in length.
He probed the wound, and found that the injury
extended through the peritoneum. Had made a post
mortem examination, and death was the result of
peritonitis or inflammation of the lining membrane
of the stomach. The other organs were quite healthy.
The jury unanimously returned a verdict of wil-
ful murder against Patrick Devereux, for killing
and slaying James Gardener,
The coroner then made out his warrant for the
committal of the accused to Newgate to await his
trial at the ensuing sessions of the Central Criminal
Court, Old Bailey.

THE 111U.RDER OF A GAMEKEEPER BY
POACHERS 11V- KENT.

WEST MALLING, TUESDAY ETENINO.

This morning the six men who had been taken
into custody on suspicion of being concerned in the
poaching affrayat Roydon Hall,East Peckham,wben
James Gray, the head gamekeeper, lost his life, were
brought before the sitting magistrates at this town.
The names of the prisoners are Thomas Fowler,
30, of East Mailing ; Robert Sampson, 49, of Mere-
worth; John Honey, 45, Thomas Honey, 30, and
George Honey, 29, of Nettleshead. Wm. Hammond,
41, of Nettleshead, also surrendered in discharge of
his bail.

It may be remembered that an inquest was held
em the deceased, when an open verdict was returned;
and subsequently the prisoners above named were
taken into custody on suspicion of being concerned
in the murder. Some formal evidence was produced
at the first hearing on Monday last, and this morn-
ing Capt. Ruston, chief constable, withdrew the
charge affecting Hammond and Fo t
w.er.
_
Evidence was adduced this morningoshdonwestdhaayt:
about one o'clock on the morning ore Wednesday,
the
guns
the game watchers heard he firing of
n.n 22d
Moat Wood, and shortly after discovered
gituhlet. iu,
the poachers. In a conflict which ensued Grey was
shot, after a daring challenge to the men as cowards,
they being armed with guns, the keepers only hav-
ing sticks. Broken guns were also found, as well
as sticks and bludgeons ; but nothing could be iden-
tified. One of the watchers, Robert Sexton, spoke
somewhat positively as to John Honey having a
velveteen shooting jacket on, and being one of the
party, but a distinct alibi was proved in his case.
The identity also failed as regarded the other pri-
soners, especially on the part of Sampson, on whose
behalf Mr. Goodwin, solicitor, made a forcible ap-
peal, and called conclusive evidence.
After a hearing that occupied upwards of five
hours the magistrates unanimously dismissed the
charges against all the prisoners.