The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-17 00:00:00

THE CHESTERFIELD MURDER.
APPREHENSION AND COMMITTAL OF A
TRADESMAN OF CHESTERFIELD.
No little surprise was manifested in Chesterfield,
Derby, and Belper, on Monday night, on its becom-
ing known that Mr. Robert Statham, a respectable
master butcher, of the Market-place, Chesterfield,
had been apprehended on the charge of aiding and
abetting John Platts in the execution of the murder
of George Collis, and for which Platts was convicted,
and suffered the extreme sentence of the law. As is
usual, rumour, with her thousand tongues, was busy,
and the most absurd and alarming reports were im-
mediately circulated all over the town and neigh-
bourhood, and the greatest excitement prevailed
throughout this generally dull and quiet town. The
following, however, will, we believe, turn out to be
correct, the authenticity of which may be relied on.
It may be within the recollection of our readers,
that Platts when apprehended by Inspector Cotteral
on the charge of murder, loudly proclaimed his in-
nocence, and which he stoutly maintained up to the
hour of his conviction. The prisoner Statham came
forward in the most zealous manner on behalf of the
murderer, and confidently predicted that Platts
would be acquitted, he also afforded Platts great as-
sistance during the period of his incarceration in
Derby gaol, and furnished the principal part of the
funds for the defence. Statham on various occasions
let fall several remarkable expressions relative to the
murder, which were thought nothing of at the pe-
riod, but it was afterwards attributed to his warmth
in endeavouring to defend Platts, whom he had
known from a child, from so foul a charge. Platts
had also been in the service of Statham.
After the conviction of Platte, the convict
made a long rambling statement to the chap-
lain and visiting magistrates, which he styled
a confession, but which was regarded by the prie
son authorities as a tissue of falsehoods, and which
turned out to be the case, for before the expiration of
twelve hours, the convict contradicted that statement,
and made another totally at variance with the former
one, and in which he stated that three persons were
concerned in the murder; but as far as the actual
deed went, he declared he had no hand in the affair,
but admitted he was present in the shop when it was
planned on Sunday morning, during the period of
Divine service. Platts implicated Morley, who died
at Chesterfield shortly after the murder of a brain
fever, and a man known by the cognomen of "Lanky
Bill." Shortly before his execution, Platts made
another confession ; but as the greater part of it was
inconsistent with the truth, the prison authorities
placed no confidence in the contents, and it was wholly
discredited in Chesterfield, as being totally at variance
with the evidence at the trial, for had the confession
been true, the testimony of several witnesses must have
been false. Sufficient, however, was gleaned from
the convict to induce the magistrates to pursue the
investigation, which was carried on after the execu-
tion of Platts in a most determined, but exceedingly
quiet manner. So secret was the matter managed,
that not the slightest suspicion was excited, and it
was generally thought by all parties, except two or
three persons, that the affair had altogether dropped,
until about a fortnight ago, when Antony Lant was
arrested on the charge of aiding in the murder, for
which he now awaits his trial. On Friday last the
police, who have been most active in their endeavours
to bring other parties to justice, obtained some most
important information, and also were successful in
obtaining a connecting link in this dreadful deed,
which had been long wanting. The result of their in-
quiries deeply implicated Mr. Statham, and the evidence
was at once laid before E. G. Maynard, Esq., Mayor,
who is also a county magistrate. No farther step was
taken until Monday, when further testimony relative to
Statham's movements and conduct was laid before the
Mayor, who at once issued a warrant for his appre-
hension, and he was lodged in the Chesterfield lock-up
the same night, and on Tuesday underwent a long
and searching examination before the Mayor. The
prisoner appeared deeply agitated, but denied his
guilt. Mr. Maynard said that there was sufficient
evidence to warrant his committal as an accessory be-
fore the fact, and on application of the prisoner's soli-
citor, his worship refused bail, which was offered to
any amount, it being understood by the police that
further most important evidence would be produced
at the trial. It is also said that Lant, since his com-
mittal, has made some revelations which casts further
light on the affair, and goes to prove that the confes-
sion of Platts could not possibly be true. Statham
was lodged in Derby gaol on Tuesday ; he was ex-
ceedingly dejected in the train, and merely observed
that it was a hard thing for an innocent man to suffer
for so dreadful a charge. Statham up to this period
has always been considered a most respectable man,
was highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen, carried
on a very 'lucrative business, and was considered to be
in very comfortable circumstances. The circumstance
of the prisoner being charged as being directly im-
plicated in the above revolting murder, has caused a
far greater sensation than when the murder was first
committed, and has since Monday been the all-ab-
sorbing topic of conversation.