The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-23 00:00:00

THE .ROAD CHILL MURDER.

TROWBRIDGE, Ana. 22.
This morning Edmund John Gagg, the prisoner
who gave himself up as the murderer of Francis
Saville Kent, was brought before Messrs. H. H. J.
Ludlow (chairman), the Rev. R. Crawley, and Mr.
W. Stancombe, magistrates of this division.
On being asked by the magistrates' clerk (Alr.
Clark) whether he had any evidence to produce in
corroboration of the statement he had made as to
being at Portsmouth on the night the murder was
committed,

The prisoner said he had a letter from his brother,
who said he would attend. He gave the name of
his brother as Christopher Gagg.
By direction of the magistrates Christopher Gagg
was called, but did not appear.
In reply to Mr. Stancombe, the prisoner stated
that his brother lived at 13, Queen's-terrace, South-
sea, Portsmouth, as butler in the service of Admiral
Byng.
Mr. Clark then read the following letter :
" Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1860.
- .13, Queen's-terrace, Soxthsea, Portsmouth.
"My dear Brother,—l received your 'kind letter yester-
day, of which I am truly sorry to hear of your being in such
trouble, but I hope with God's blessing that you will be
liberated, and then seek for work and go back to your own
place. I went to the police-station yesterday, and I saw
Mr. Barber, the superintendent of police, and I have seen
him again to-day, and he says that he has made inquiries at
the public-house, and they recollect your sleeping there,
and I will swear that you came to 13, Queen's-terrace on
the 20th of June last, and that is the last time I have seen
you. Mt. Barber wrote this morning by the early post, and
he is going to write by this evening's post again. The admi-
ral desired me to write hoping that you will soon have your
liberty. With kind love, believe me to ever remain,—your
affectionate brother, " CHRISTOPHER GAGG."
Mr. Superintendent Wolfe produced two letters
from Mr. Superintendent Barber, of Portsmouth,
one written after he had seen the prisoner's brother,
and the other after he had gone to the publichouse
referred to by the prisoner. A letter from Mr. Wil-
liam Kimber, landlord of the Anchor Inn, Godal-
ming, was also put in. The circumstances, to a cer-
tain extent, confirmed the account the prisoner gave
of himself after being brought to Trowbridge.
After an adjournment, for the purpose of waiting
the-arrival of a train by which it was possible the
prisoner's brother might come from Portsmouth, and
it having been ascertained that he was not present,
Mr. Superintendent Wolfe identified the hand-
writing of the two letter:, from Mr. Superintendent
Barber.

Mr. Dunn, solicitor to Mr. Kent—ln order that
there may be no kind of misapprehension arising
from the story told by the prisoner, I ask the
Bench to put one or two questions to him, which
I now submit to them.

The Chairman (to the prisoner)—I am going to
put some questions on behalf of Mr. Dunn, who
appears here for Mr. Kent. Have you ever seen
Mr. Kent in your life P
Prisoner—No, sir ; I never have.

The Chairman—Have you over seen any of his
family ?
Prisoner—No, sir.
The Chairman—Previously to your apprehen-
sion had you ever been to Road ?
Prisoner—No, sir. _

The Chairman—ls the story you originally told
the police as to your having murdered Francis
S aville Kent true or untrue ?

Prisoner—Not true, sir.

The Rev. R. Crawley—What made you say so ?
Prisoner—l don't know what could possess me
to make the statement T have. I felt if I had not
done it I could not live, and that I could chuck
myself on the line when any train was coming. I
don't know what could possess me. My life seems
now, sir, to be a burden to me.
Mr. Stancombe—You gave some reason for it.
You told me it was in consequence of your wife
going away from you.
Prisoner—That is the principal cause. My life
is such a burden to me that I don't care about
living any longer.
The Chairman—l think it right it should be
known to the public that Mr. Inspector Whicher,
the detective officer in London, has made particu-
lar inquiries respecting your wife and family. He
has taken some trouble in doing so, and what he
has ascertained has been very satisfactory as re-
gards your wife. She appears to be living in a very
respectable and comfortable manner with her
mother, and from her industry—her own industry
—supporting her children, deriving no assistance
from you to enable her to do so.

Prisoner—l have not had it in my power to give
it to her. I did so when I could.

The Rev. R. Crawley—Did she run away from
you, or did you desert her ?
isoner—She ran away from me.
The Chairman—l am prepared to state that that