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

TILE MURDER IN RATCLIFF .HIGHIVAY.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. John Humphreys, ths
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 Deverens 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.
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 MURDER OF
ERs A
NAMKEEPE.R BY
TOACITKENT.

WEST MALLING, TUESDAY EVENING.
This morning the six men who had been taken
into custody on suspicion of being concerned in the
poaching affrayat Roydon Hall,East Peckham,when
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
on 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. Ruxton, chief constable, withdrew the
charge affecting Hammond and Fowler.
Evidenceone o'clock
wasoe
kadduced this
morningmorning tow show that,
t about
he 22d ult., the game watchers heard the firing of
guns in the oat Wood, and shortly after discovered
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.