The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-16 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COD-RT.—May 15.

TEE RUGELEY POISONINGS.

[A part of the following appeared in our impression of
yesterday.]
Mrs. Ann Brooks, examined by the Attorney-General,
stated she resided at Manchester. She was at Shrews-
bury in Nov., 1855, and she knew Palmer was at the
races, as she saw him there. She spoke to him on the
14th. She met him in the street, and she had a con-
versation with him. She asked him what horse was
to win, and he said Chicken. Palmer desired her to
call at the Raven the next day, about a horse called
Lord Derby. f She accordingly went to the Raven
that evening, about half-past ten, and her friends,
which she had with her, waited below. She was posi-
tive as to the hour, as she passed a clock, and had it
been later she should not have gone. As she was going up
stairs she met a servant,'and asked her to tell Mr. Palmer
she was there. When she got up stairs she turned to
the left, as she knew what room Palmer occupied, as
she had called frequently at the hotel. The servant
told her Palmer was there (nodding her head towards
the door.) She saw Palmer standing in the room be-
side a table. He had a tumbler in his hand with a
small quantity of liquid in it, which appeared to be
water. She did not see him put anything into it ; but
he was shaking it round and round. There was a light
near him. Ho held the glass up to the light, and said
he would be with her directly. Palmer first saw her
the moment she got to the top of the stairs.
He staid a minute or two longer at the table
with the glass in his hand. He held it up to
the light once or twice. Between the intervals she ob-
served him shaking it, While he was standing with the
glass she said to Palmer, " What very fine weather,"
and shortly after this, there being a door partially open
adjoining his, he carried the glass into that room, but
she heard no one speak to him. He stood there two or
three minutes and then returned with the glass in his
hand.; it had still the liquid in it. He then took the
glass into his own sitting-room. In three or four minutes
he again returned. She shut the door after him. He
returned with a glass like the one be had in his hand ;
it bad brandy and water in it. She was certain it
was not the same colour of the liquid she first saw.
He then entered into conversation with her
about the races, and that he should back Chicken.
She was present at the races, and Chicken lost.
Cross-examined by Sergeant Shee—Her name was
Brooks. She was a married woman, and attended the
races, but her husband never went with her. Her hus-
band had a very high appointment, and he did not sane
tion her going. She saw Herring tor the first time at
Shrewsbury races. There was a good number of racing
men taken ill at Shrewsbury—one of her company was
dreadfully so. They thought the water had been
poisoned at Shrewsbury. The persons suffered from
sickness and were purged. A lady who met me at
Shrewsbury, and also another whom she knew, suffered
in that way. Palmer held the glass between his eyes
and the gas as if to see if anything was in it. The pas-
sage led to many rooms. He said, "I'll be with you
presently," as he held the glass to the light. There was
nothing suspicious about his conduct then. I thought
it might have been a cooling draught. I was not exa-
mined before the Coroner.
By the Attorney-General—The brandy and water he
gave me was cold. I have been on friendly terms with
Palmer fora number of years.
Lavinia Barnes, waitress at the Talbot, examined by
Mr. James.—ln November, 1355, I vs as waitress at the
Talbot Arms. I knew both Palmer and Cook, and saw
Cook on the 12th, before he went to the Shrews-
bury races ; he appeared very well, in much his usual
health. I saw him on the Thursday following on his
return from Shrewsbury. I remember his retiring to
the Talbot Arms between 9 and 10 o'clock, after he
dined with Palmer on the Friday night. He was sober
and spoke to me. Elizabeth Mills attended him to his
room. I saw him twice on Saturday. I remem-
ber on that day some broth was sent to the
Talbot for Cook. I , took it up to him. He
said he could not take it, because he was too sick. I
brought it down stairs and put it in the kitchen. After
that I saw Palmer, and told him Cook could not take it
because he was too sick. Palmer replied, "He must
take it." It was afterwards taken to the deceased by
Elizabeth Mills. On the Sunday I did not see any
more broth sent to Cook. On the Sunday Elizabeth Mills
was taken ill betwen 12 and 1 o'clock. She was taken
ill with vomiting. She went to bed. I saw , her
vomiting violently. She remained in bed till between
4 and 5 o'clock. She complained of sickness to me. I
saw some broth in the kitchen on that Sunday, but I
am unable to say where it was made, or where it came
from. On Monday morning I saw Palmer at the Talbot
Arms, between 7 and 8 o'clock. He told Elizabeth
Mills, in my presence, he was going to London. The
broth was in a sick cup is the kitchen ; it had two
handles ; it did not belong to the Talbot Arms.
The cup afterwards went back to Palmer's house.
During the Monday I saw Cook, but not till after din-
ner. Mr. Saunders, the trainer, came and saw him, and
I took brandy and water to him in C Wok's room. I
slept that night in the next room to Cook's. I saw
Palmer at the Talbot Inn that night between eight and
nine o'clock. I saw him go up stairs in the direction of
Cook's room. About 12 o'clock (I had not gone to bed)
I was alarmed by C mk's bed-room bell ringing violently.
I was then in the kitchen. I went upstairs and found Cook
very ill ;he asked inn to send for Palmer. Cook
screamed violently, and cried " murder," and said he
Was suffocating. Elie eyes had a very wild appearance,
standing a great way out of his head ; he was beating
the bed with his bends. I left the room, and sent the
boots for Palmer. I then called up Elizabeth Mills.
Cook cried out " Murder," and " Christ have mercy
on my soul." I had never before seen any person
in such a state. Palmer shortly after came to
the hotel and went up to Cook. I saw him after ward-,
when Palmer came ; he was then more composed. He
said, " Doctor, I shall die." Palmer replied, " Don't be
alarmed, my lad." I did not see any pills given him,
but I saw him drinking a darkish mixture he had in his
hand whilst Palmer was present. When he put the glass
to his mouth I heard him snap it with his teeth. I both
saw and heard the snapping of the glass with his teeth. lle
afterwards brought up the draught. She left him that
night between 12 and, 1 o'clock. He was then more
composed. I saw him again on Tuesday morning. I
asked him how he was, and he said " a little better."
saw him on several occasions on that day, and each
time he appeared
_better. On Tuesday night about 12
o'clock I was alarmed by the ringing of Cook's
bell. I was then in the kitchen. The chamber-
maid who was with me went up stairs and
answered the bell. I followed her up. I did not
go into Cook's room, but I beard him screaming as I
stood on the landing near the door. Elizabeth Mills
fetched Palmer, who came, and went to the deceased.
I saw Palmer, and said to him, "Mr. Cook is ill again."
Palmer said, "Is he'" There was nothing particular
in his dress. Palmer went into his room and came out
again, and said that Cook was not so ha I by a fiftieth
part. Saw Jones in Mr. Cook's room attending
to him. Cook asked to be turned over. Palmer
was in the room. I want into the room
and came out again, and did not see him die.
After Mr. Cook's death I saw Palmer looking at Mr.
Cook's coat, and also under the holster. I said, " Mr.
knew
can't be dead," and Palmer said, " Yes he is. I
would be." He was then in the room with
the slovod he
y. 'Upon the Thursday following Palmer asked
ma for the key of the room where the bo ly lay, as he
wanted somebookeand paper. Palmer went into the room
with the body, and when I get in there he sent mete Miss
Bond to ask for some novels, which I got for him, and
came back. Palmer was then looking upon thedraw-
ers, and said he could not find the Paper-knife, which
he had asked for. Mr. Jones, about four o'clock upon
the Friday, asked about Cook's betting book, andl
and Elizabeth Mills went to look for it. Jones said it
was of no use to any one but Cook. We came back
and said that we could not find it. Palmer said, oh,
it will be found amnewhere."

Cross-examined by Sergeant Shee— When I told
Palmer Cook could not take the broth, Palmer said
he must take it. He did not say why. On that day
Cook had not had any solid flod. I knew it was
before the Monday night that Palmer was there.
I knew he had been to London. I do not know
what time the train from London comes in. The station
about a wile, lam not certain about the time. I
think that.some ono wag holding the glass to Cook when
he was biting at it. I did not look for the betting-book
in the drawers, because the undertakers were ,there.
The undertakers used to have the key given to them to
go into deceased's room, and the woman used to go into
the room.

Re-examined by the Attorney-General—The wornert
used to be left in the room. We used to be in and out
at the time. I saw the betting-book in Cook's room
before his death, but not after.
At the conclusion of this -witness's re•examination the
Court adjourned for a short time.

The Court having resulted, the next witness called
wal

Ann Rowley—Wad been employed by Palmer as
charwoman. On tial Satarday before Cook died Palmer
sent me to the Albion, for some broth. I took it to