The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-01 00:00:00

The Murder by Germans at Stratford.

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Yesterday morning Jacob Brenner, aged 24, and Charles
Heins, aged 24, on remand for feloniously cutting and
wounding Joseph Kuchen, aged 40, a master cabinet-
maker, were again brought up at the West Ham police-
court, before Major Suart and H. C. King, Esq.
The unfortunate man, Joseph Kuchen, having died on
Tuesday night in the London Hospital, from one of the
wounds received, the charge was altered to one of wilful
murder against Jacob Brenner, whose eyes were much
blackened and swollen, said to be received in the fearful
affray in which he was engaged.
Mr. Standage said he should ask their worships to re-
mand the case till after the inquest, but as there was no
case against Heins, he should apply for his discharge.
Mr. John Schwytze was again sworn as interpreter, and
the depositions already taken were again read over.
The depositions taken stated that Leonard Kuchen saw
the stabs inflicted in the arm.

The witness wished them to be corrected, and for it to
be stated that he only saw the stabs. The witness added
he was quite sure he saw the wound inflicted outside the
house in the belly, which the medical gentleman, Dr.
Mugliston, said was the dangerous one. It was done by
Jacob Brenner, and he was wrestling with the deceased.
The stab inflicted in the belly was given after Brenner
had his hat. He did not see Heins till after his father was
stabbed the last time.

In answer to the prisoner Brenner, the witness said he
was quite sure he saw blood on him.

Prisoner Brenner—Did you see any knife in my hand ?
Witness—l did. I saw it glare in the light.
The following dying declaration was then read. (John
Klaiber, K, 312, in this case acted as interpreter) :
" London Hospital, August 29, 1865.
"I, Joseph Kuchen, residing at No. 1, Edith-cottages,
Chandos-road, Stratford, New Town, believe I am dying,
and wish to make the following declaration—Yes. I know
Brenner and Heins. Brenner was going with me about 11
o'clock on Sunday night last. Brenner had a quarrel with
my son about three weeks ago, and while in the workshop
on the Sunday night in question, without saying anything
to me, he took a knife from the carpenter's bench, and
stabbed me in the abdomen and on the arm. I never gave
him any provocation to strike me. I always thought him a
quiet man. Ho worked for me. I never had a quarrel
with him before. I had been drinking with Brenner, and
believe he was drunk, but I was sober. I did not know the
reason he stabbed me, unless it was on account of the quar-
rel he had with my son about three weeks ago. I always
behaved very kind to him, and paid him for what he did
for me. I know nothing of Heins, nor did he strike me.

(Signed) " JOSEPH KIITCHEN.
•' Before George WellanCl,Mackenzie, Stephen Standage,
and John Klaiber."

The Bench—Were those depositions taken before a.
magistrate ?

Mr. Inspector Standage—No. I received information
from the hospital that the man was dying, and I went to
the Thames Police-court. I saw there a magistrate, and he
he told me that as the case had been heard before an Essex
magistrate the deposition had better be taken before one. I
told him I should have to go to Woodford, or to Chigwell,
and perhaps before that the time the man would be dead.
He would not go, and I took the deposition without.
The prisoner Heins was then discharged, and placed in
the witness-box. He said he had lodged for a week with
Brenner at Kuchen's house. He, on Sunday night, went
to the railway station to see a friend off in company with
Kuchen, Brenner, Mrs. Kuchen, and. Leonard Kuchen, the
son of the deceased. Mrs. Kuchen and her son went home,
and he, witness, and Kuchen, senior, and prisoner, went
to have some beer. When they got home the deceased man
pulled the key of the door out of his pocket and then pushed
Brenner into the house. He, witness, then said to Brenner,
" Let him, Kitchen, alone, he is drunk." Brenner then
wanted to get through the window into the cabinet shop.
He eventually went through, and he, witness, then saw
the father go to him, and the father and Leonard, the son,
beat him. Leonard Kuchen, the son, then threw the pri-
soner's hat through the window, and Brenner then ran,
away. He then heard Mrs. Kuchen say her husband had
got stabs in the arm. This was all he knew about it.
The case was then adjourned.