The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-12 00:00:00

THE MURDER AT IHA►sTINGS.

HASTINGS, March 11.—An inquest on the body
of the unfortunate gaoler of Hastings, James Wel-
lard, who was murdered on Monday by a prisoner
named John Murdock, au account of which ap-
peared in our yesterday's impression, was held this
day, at 3 o'clock, at the Town-hall, before Mr.
Grouse, deputy-coroner for the borough.
The jury viewed the body of the deceased, which
was lying in an apartment at the gaol, and the
throat and face bore evident signs of strangulation,
fingermarks being strongly observable.
The principal witness examined was a boy named
George Wright, aged 14 years, a lad who was in
custody on the same charge with the murderer
Murdock, and lie described minutely the fact of the
prisoner having seized the old man with his right
arm round his neck, pres.,ing the deceased's face
with his left, until he completely overpowered him.
He then ransacked the dec-eased's pockets for the
purpose of securing the key of the gaol door, but,
failing in finding it, he subsequently scaled the
wail. Previously the matron had called out from
an upstair window, and the prisoner then locked
the stair door, and said he had a poker for her, at
the same time holding a poker in his hand. Wit-
ness also stated that he was not on very good terms
with Murdock, because he (Wright) would not do
as he told him. Murdock wished him to escape at
the same time, and, as ho would not do so, he
swore at him.
The matron, the daughter-in-law of the deceased,
deposed to the fact that about a fortnight ago the
deceased told her that a prisoner named French
had warred him to be on his guard in the morn-
ing, but French said he would say no more.
The prisoner Murdock is a powerful fellow, stand-
ing about 5 feet 10 inches. Since his capture he has
exhibited signs of contrition, and cries bitterly at
times. The same night he made the following state-
ment, after being duly cautioned by the inspector :
—"I did not intend to kill the gentleman. If I
had known the man was dead, I should have given
myself up at. 8 o'clock.. I have done too much ; I
-am guilty, and I shall die for it—oh, dear, oh,
dear ! The gentleman was a kind man, and as
good as a father to me ; and I shall die for it. What
' you said about knowing me in London is right.
Will you write a letter to my father, who lives at
No. 8, Three Colt-street, Old Ford, Bow, near
London ? '
A verdict of wilful murder was returned against
the prisoner Murdock, and he stands committed
under the coroner's warrant.

THE POISONING BY STRTCHNIA, AT LEEDS.—LEEDS,
Tuesday.—This morning, at eleven o'clock, the accused,
Mr. Win. Dove, was brought up on remand at the
police-court, before the mayor and a full bench of
magistrates. The court was much crowded, in the ex•
pectation that the facts of the case would be gone into ;
but on the accused being placed at the bar, the coroner's
clerk rose, and said he had to apply to tie bench for a
further remand, on the ground that the inquest on the
body of Mrs. Dove was still pending. Alter a short
consultation among the magistrates, the prisoner was
again remanded to Thursday morning.
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