The Sun.
London, England, 1869-01-08 00:00:00

MURDER

At the Lambeth Police-court, on Thursday afternoon,
William Sheward, aged 57, giving his address as the
Key and Castle Tavern, St. Martin's-at-Oak, Norwich,
was conveyed in a cab by Oakes, the gaoler, from
Horsemonger-lane Gaol, and placed in the dock, before
Mr. Woolrych, charged, on his own confession, with
wilfully murdering his first wife, Martha, at Norwich,
on the 15th of June, 1851.

The prisoner appeared to be more calm than on the last
occasion, and exhibited not the slightest emotion during
the proceedings.

The evidence given by Inspector Davis, of the r
division, on the last occasion was read over.
Mr. Woolrych: What further evidence is there?
Inspector Davis : I have received a communication froni
Mr. Hickman, chief constable of Norwich, with reference
to the discovery of human remains about the time men•
tioned by the prisoner, in 1851, when the murder was per•
petrated. I have received particulars from Mr. Hick•
man of the discovery of human remains around the dill",
trict of Norwich in June and July, 1851. On the 21st June
a portion of a human body was picked up in the outskirteel
and afterwards some forty pieces of flesh and bone, includ.
ing two feet and one hand—the left—from which the rifle
finger was missing. The central parts are still preserved
in spirits at Norwich. The remains when collected were
proved to be those of a female. The head was never dis'
covered, but a portion of a skull was found in a field.—+'
Mr. Woolrych : Was an inquest held ?—Witness : No sir.-4
Mr. Woolrych : That seems very unaccountable.—Wit•
ness : There seemed to be a want of evidence then.—Mr.
Woolrych : Is there anything known of the prisoners' wife?,
—Witness : Yes, your worship ; she dilappeared about the
time mentioned by prisoner, and was not afterwards heard
of. A waistcoat and shirt all covered with blood were found,
in a field. Every effort appears to have been made
by the magistrates and police with regard to the remains,
but without success. The magistrates have this week
issued a warrant against the prisoner, and in consequence
of the confession made Mr. Hickman was afraid
personal violence would be offered to the prisoner on hie
appearance at Norwich, as immense excitement now pre'
vailed. Preparations, however, had been made to have A
body of police in waiting at the Norwich station to receive
the prisoner and protect him.
Mr. Woolrych : The best mode, then, will be to convel,
him to Norwich at once ; but it does seem extraordii
nary that no steps were taken beyond certain inquii
ries when the remains were found, and the coincidence,
also of the disappearance of prisoner's wife about the,
same time. However, there is sufficient before We
to bind over Mr. Davis, and give him a warrant to take
nrisoner to Norwich.
The whole of the depositions were then read over and
signed.
Mr. Woolrych (to prisoner) : h o yo.l wish to mit ally
question?
Prisoner (calmly) : Yes, sir. I wish to ask tb' witnest
if he is sure I made use of the word " wilful."
Witness : Yes, you did. lam quite sure.
Prisoner : That is all I have to ask. The rest is Pe'
fectly correct.
Mr. Davis was then bound over, and, the prisonef
talked calmly and quietly from the dock.