The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-25 00:00:00

THE ROAD MURDER.

CONFESSION OF THE MURDERESS
This Day,

BOW-STREET POLICE COURT.

The great mystery which has surrounded this dreadful
murder ever since its perpetration in 1860 has at length
been dispelled by the confession of the murderess, who
proves to be no other than Miss Constance Emile Kent,
half-sister of the murdered child.

At four o'clock this afternoon, Miss Constance Emile
Kent was placed before Sir Thomas Henry, the chief
magistrate, charged, on her own confession, with the wil-
ful murder of Francis Saville Kent. She was attired
entirely in black, and wore such a thickly-worked veil
that. her features were nearly entirely concealed. She
made the confession at Brighton, and without resorting to
the police authorities in that town she decided at once on
proceeding to London, and there undergoing the first ex-
amination. She was accompanied to town by the Rev.
Mr. Douglas.
Superintendent Durkin of the F division, and Inspector
Williamson, of the detective department, Scotland-yard,
were present during the examination.
Mr. Burnaby, having read over tho charge to the priso-
ner, asked her whether her name was spelt Emily or Emile.
Miss Kent (in a low and faltering voice)—lt does not
matter which.

Mr. Burnaby—You are charged on your own confession
with the wilful murder of Francis Kent.

The prisoner merely bowed her head slightly.
The following evidence was then given :

The Rev. Mr. Wagner Douglas said—l am perpetual
curate of St. Paul's Church, Brighton. I have known
Constance Sent for nearly two years. She was first intro-
duced to me for the purpose of being admitted into St. Mary's
Hospital, at Brighton. She entered the institution about
eighteen or twenty months ago, and has resided there ever
since.

Sir Thomas Henry—Has any persuasion been used to
induce the confession ?

Mr. Douglas—None whatever. I offered no inducement
for her to make the confession to me.

Sir Thomas Henry—Then I take it that none was
made ?

Mr. Douglas—Quite so. So far from any inducement,
I may say that, to the best of my belief, the confession she
has made has been entirely of her own free will. It first
came to my knowledge about a fortnight ago, and it was
entirely her own proposition. She wished to confess and
give herself up. It was at her own proposition that we
came to London to enable her to surrender herself to the
law. She stated to me that she, alone and unaided, on the
night of the 29th of June, 1860, murdered, at Road
Hill House, 'Wiltshire, one Francis Saville Kent.
I never said anything to the prisoner to persuade her from
confessing. She did everything of her own free will. I
have been perfectly passive in the matter, feeling that she
was doing the right thing. it is certainly her own free
act. She thought of it herself, without any suggestions.
This was all the evidence offered on this occasion.

Sir Thomas Henry then cautioned the prisoner in the
usual manner, and told her that whatever she said would
be taken down in writing and used against her at her
trial.

Constance Kent, in replying, said, I wish it to be heard
that I have done all of my own free will. I have been
actuated by no persuasion. The piece of paper I now de-
liver is in my own handwriting.
,The paper was read by Mr. Burnaby, the chief clerk, and
was as follows :

"I, Constance Emile Kent, alone and unaided, on the
night of the 29th of June, 1860, murdered, at Road-hill
House, Wiltshire, one Francis; Saville Kent. Before the
deed was done no one knew my intention, nor after of my
guilt."

Sir Thomas Henry—Did any one assist you ?
Prisoner—No. None assisted me in the crime.
Sir Thomas Henry—Or assist you afterwards?
Prisoner—Nobody assisted me in the evasion of my dis-