The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-30 00:00:00

THE MURDER IN GLOUCESTER

STREET.

THE ADJOI.JRNBD INQUEST-(THIS DAY.)

The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances attending
the death of Charles Cantly, was resumed this morning, "at
the Harpers' Arms, Theobald's-rOad, before Mr. Waklelr
the coroner for Middlesex. _

The utmost interest was excited on this occasion in con'
sequence of its having been rumoured that the Secretor,'
of State for the Home Department had gave directions for
the prisoner to be present.
Mr. Lewis, jun., of Ely-place, attended on the part Of
the prisoner, Edward Toomes.
After the preliminaries were gone through, Mr. -Woklel
ordered the police to bring in the prisoner, and in a Oa(
minutes afterwards Edward Toomes entered the roorat
having a police constable on either side and wearing hand"
cuffs. He appeared to be a little confused, but in about 10
minutes from his appearance he relapsed into that state c'f
indifference and unconcern that has characterised his con-
duct ever since the act was committed.
Mr. Steggall, the surgeon, wasfirst called, and in answer
to questionsput to him by Mr. Wakley, said—l have made
a post mortem examination of the deceased since the
last met. I have no doubt whatever but that the deco''_
died from the effects of a wound in the throat. It 00331-
menced on the right side. The external and internal lug""
lar vein sand the carotid artery were completely severed.
Elizabeth Hodgkin—l positively identify the prisoner as
the person I saw in the kitchen of 17, Gloucester-street
standing over the deceased man Cantly. I saw a pistol ill'
one hand and a razor in the other.
By Mr. Lewis—He made no resistance when he Wag
taken into custody.
Thomas Webb, a police-constable in the E division,
sal t
he took the prisoner into custody last Tuesday week ab°11::
half-past 11 in the morning at 17, Gloucester-stre"
Queen's square. He was on the kitchen stairs. Ile 11131:
alone. He said, when I took him into custody, " I ball"
done what I intended to do." I took Toomes back to the
kitchen, where the body was lying on the ground. Tooln!‘
pointed to the razor lying on the dresser, and said, Adia
it with that razor." I did not ask him with why he ng.7.
killed the man. When I went down stairs the first tints
found the kitchen door closed, so I kicked out one Of tilf
pannels, and afterwards I went up stairs to get sometlloo
to force the door with, when, on returning, I found el°
prisoner on the stairs. I then took him to the station.
By a Juror—After I had broken the pannel of the kitcliell
door the prisoner pointed his pistol at me, and said, " Ictt
are a dead man if you enter here."
By Mr. Lewis—The pistol was in the prisoner's /191141
when I apprehended him.
By the Coroner—l did not examine the pistol to se°
whether there was a cap on it. The charge was drowol/1
the inspector at the station. I don't know whether they'
had been an attempt to discharge the weapon.
Sergeant Brown, 10 E, said—l was at 17, MotteeSter
street at a-quarter past 11 in the morning. I went at alloe°
to the kitchen. I saw the deceased lying on the floor
his throat cut, and the prisoner Toomes custody of "
last witness. I did not find the pistol, but it was givenl
me by Mrs. Savrge. There was no cap on the nipple, bu'i
found one on the kitchen table in the state which I 1:1°,1
produce it. (The cap had been placed on the pistol in a llitut
position, and had been struck off without exploding.) 1t°,,:0
him then he must consider himself in custody. On P 0
way to the station he said, " It's an unfortunate job for 03
the pistol did not go off ; that's what made me use 4'6
razzlr." The charge in the pistol consisted of powder an

ball.
By a Jurof—When the pistol was given to me the 1101'
raer was down.
Inspector Witham, division of police—l saw Toollle:0
at the station. The pistol was given to me by the ,Kitn,e_.,t
Webb. I drew the charge. The hammer was down, v"
the cap was off the nipple. The charge consisted of poi; derj
one ball, and two pads of wadding. There was the 101,4
quantity of powder. I have ascertained that the pistol 11'
bought in Upper-street, Islington, on the Tuesday mode,
On the way to the police court the prisoner said to PI,
"The idea of two women and a man being in the hone'
I said you had better not say anything to me as Z tut,ro
repeat it before the magistrate, and he said," Well, I did i;c,
A Juror—l think we ought to have the person here fi"
sold the pistol.
Inspector Witham—The prisoner himself told mo
he bought the pistol.
The Coroner—Have you discovered where he puroluleiti
the razor. of
Witness—Yes, sir, in Gray's:inn-lane, about a quarto'
an hour before the the murder.
Coroner (to Mr. Lewis)—Have you any witnesses to 011'
sir ?

Mr. Lewis—No, sir; not at present.
The Coroner—Then that closes the evidence. Gentlerleilj
of the jury, in accordance with your desire, I forwawthe
.
your request to the authorities at the Homo,Office, and
following is the answer I received to the communication
Nov...
Whitehall, 27, 18,7jg0
Sir,—l am directed by Secretary Walpole to a° 1.0
the receipt of your letter of the 25th inst and too‘k°,-01
you that the request which you enclosed 'upon the,..Jall
empannelled to inquire touching death of Charles enoo
Mr. Walpole has informed the (Commissioners of °+;,go
that the officers may, consistently with their dutP, wtbe
Edward Toomes, a prisoner on remand, charged witi'A 011
murder of Charles Cantly, before the adjourned inque'—ur
Tuesday next, on their way to the police court, for tbelg,
pose of being identified. But I am to add, that 31r. the
pole's instructions have been given to the police uPlfter
strict engagement made in your letter, that they shall eof
wards be allowed to remove the prisoner, in perforinnue to
the obligation which the law clearly imposes upon
the
take him before the magistrate at the hour fixed 11
warrant of remand.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
H. WA DniNal°l4t.be
Gentlemen, I don't think that there is any desire 011dia
part of the Home-office to prevent prisoners attell
&felt the coroner. I think it arises from the magi°t/iei
of the county, who govern the House of Detention, tor
believing that they had no power to remove a PriB°.ptot
except under an order of the committing magistrate.
cis
I do hope that as the Secretary of State has now 00%4
the power vested in him by law, that some stePo
reo,
be taken to make some alterationin the orders new in 1,°..A of
as I think it indispensable that a person who is accas7.,e
taking away the life of another' should be present dui
an investigation which so closely affected his life'
By the advice of Mr. Lewis the prisoner reserved 111-
fence. ,hoot the
The coroner having summed up, the jury, suf.
slightest deliberation, returned a verdict of " Nirul"`
der," against Edward Toomes.
histe of thanks to the ,Home Secretary Mr. Wall?°..fley)
fokind consideration of the application of the
was agreed to unanimously.