The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-23 00:00:00

The Tragedy at Limehouee.

Yesterday John Wiggins, a lighterman, who is
charged with the double offence of murdering a
woman named Agnes Oakes, with whom he co-
habited, and with attempting to commit suicide by
cutting his own throat, was brought before Mr.
Paget at the Thames Police-court for the fourth
time.

Mr. Charles Young again defended the prisoner,
and some time before the case was called on the
Magistrate, addressing Mr. Young, said he had
thought that an important case like this should not
be left to chance ; he had therefore written to the
Home Office, and recommended that a professional
gentleman should be retained to conduct the
prosecution. He had received a note from the
Hon. Mr. Liddell, the Under Secretary of State, in
answer to his communication, stating that the
Solicitor to the Treasury would take charge of the
prosecution.
Mr. Charles Young said he was very glad to hear
it, and he hoped the case would be concluded that
day.
Mr. Paget could not say that.
At two o'clock the prisoner was arraigned in the
dock, when Mr. Pollard, clerk to the Solicitor of
the Treasury, said it was only on Wednesday after-
noon the Solicitor to the Treasury had received
instructions to conduct the prosecution. Owing to
the shortness of time he had not been able to read
the voluminous depositions, or ascertain the real
character of the case. Under these circumstances
be had to request another remand for a week to
enable him to make himself acquainted with the
case.

Mr. Charles Young opposed the application.
There was nothing in the evidence to sustain a
charge of wilful murder against the prisoner, and
not the shadow of a case. It was most extraordi-
nary that the Treasury solicitor should step in at
the eleventh hour and ask for another remand.
Mr. Paget said with regard to the time at which
the Solicitor to the Treasury interfered he was
in some measure responsible. A circular had
been forwarded to the magistrates of the metro-
politan police courts some years ago by the
Home Secretary, recommending that, in cases of
more than ordinary importance, notice should be
forwarded to the home Office. In consequence of
that circular he had communicated with the Home-
Office on Tuesday, and on Wednesday received a
letter from Mr. Liddell, stating that the Treasury
solicitor had been instructed to appear. With regard
to the application for a remand, he thought it was
a very reasonable and proper one. The case could
not be terminated in a proper manner, or for the
interests of justice unless more time was allowed.
He thought, however, that Mr. Horton, the surgeon,
might with great propriety be further examined.
Mr. Pollard—With the greatest pleasure. I
have not seen the depositions, and know nothing
of the case at present.
Previous to Mr. Horton being called,

Mr. John Scott, of the Commissioners of
Police-office, Scotland - yard, produced a model
of the locality in which the alleged murder was
committed, on the scale of one inch to twenty
feet, and a plan of the room in which the
alleged murder was committed and of the adjoining
room.

Mr. J. Horton, surgeon, of High-street, Stepney,
could recognise on the plan the spot where he first
saw the body of the deceased, and was about to
mark it, when Mr. Chas. Young objected, and said
that he had heard learned judges object to plans
being marked before a case was tried.
Mr. Paget said if the solicitor thought it
re objec-
tionable the plan should not be disturbed at psent.
Mr. Horton then proceeded. The chair which
covered the face of the deceased, and on which was
a large quantity of blood, was close against the wall
of the room. The back of it was close to the wall,
and opposite to the door, between the bedstead and
the fire-place. One foot of the chair was resting
on the hearthrug, and the other foot rested on the
floor near the bedstead. The feet of the body ex-
tended towards the door. One arm rested on the
hearth-rug. The body and legs were on the floor,
between the hearth-rug and the bed. The legs
were straight out, and the feet parted 18 inches
from each other, and extended a foot beyond the
end of the hearth-rug. The carotid artery and the
jugular vein on the left side, and also the windpipe,
were divided. There were no wounds of importance
on the right side of the throat. I observed the
surgery when I was called upon to
attend the case. It was nearly half-past five, and
it took me five minutes to reach the house in Lower
North-street. The wound on the left side of the
throat extended as far as the spine, andtrated to the
commenced
two inches below the left ear, and pene
spine. lam sure itw did touch theby some spine,
instru-
and I
could feel the bone as wounded

ment.
After some discussion between the magistrate,
Mr. Pollard, and Mr. Charles Young, the prisoner
was again remanded for a week.
The court was filled, and the street in front of
the building was filled by au ezcitablo crowd all

day.