The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-14 00:00:00

The Court then adjourned for a quarter of an hour.

On the return of the jodges into court,
Mr. Charles Bushel, the surgeon, was called and ex-
s.e.iined by Mr. Bodkin. I was sent for on the 31st of
December from the Kennington-lane polies-:,cation to
Mrs. Bacon. I saw her, and en asking her how she was,
she said she was very poorly—that a man had got in at
the window and cut her throat as also those of her chil-
dren. I examined her throat and found a cut about
three inches in length, it went over the windpipe, and
another cut downwards about two inches long, there
were also several cuts en the throat, but they were all
above the first one. There was no continuous cut, they
were all from right to left and from left to right.
The principal cut was that over the windpipe, but it -did
not wound that organ. The wounds might have been
caused by her own hand. If they had been done by
any other person she must have been quite quiet and
assenting. I toll her the wounds had been done some
time, and she said, " Yes, eight o'clock last night." I
examined her hands and found the left covered with
brown colour as if from stains of blood. I noticed the
nails on the hand, the stains were much deeper colour
round them. The second finger of the right hand was also
partially stained. After the interview with Mrs. Bacon
I went to Four Acre-street and saw the bodies of three
murdered children. I found them with their throats cut,
and the wounds were very likely to have been caused by
one of the knives produced. As far as lam able to
judge the stains on the knives are those of human blood.
I was shown a woman's night dress in thefront room on
the first floor. There was blood upon the night dress.
That on the lower part of the dress, but it was quite
different from that which had proceededfrom thethroat.
It had the appearance of- having been rubbed with
something for some time after. I was shown a Chem iso
and also a pair cf fustian trousers, upon which there
were appearances of blood on the front. I also saw a
waistcoat. There was a spot of blood on the collar. I sa..v
the waistcoat the first time. I went to the house, but I did
not closely examine it. When I next saw the waistcoat
it was in possession of Inspector Young. The witness
was then handedithe trousers, and pointed out spots of
blood down the front.

Cross-examined by Mr. Sleigh.—When I sew the
femaie prisoner on Tuesday my first impression was that
she was not quite conscious of the act that had been
committed.

By Lord Campbell.—By that, do you mean she was
not in her right mind ?
Witness—l do, my lord.
By Mr. Metcalte.—l was examined on the first
occasion, before the man was in custody, a❑d I said it
was my impression that the act had been committed be-
fore the time she mentioned-8 o'clock. I should
be very sorry to pledge that the stains on the trousers
are those of blood. There are many things that will
produce very similar stains. It is my opinion that the
blood on the lower part of the chemise had the appear-
ance of having spurted on it, and for the blood to bear
the appearance it did it must have come from a living
person.

Dr. Harris, surgeon of Horsemonger-lane Gaol said
I saw Mrs. Bacon for the first time on the 31st of
December. I observed wounds on her neck ; they had
been dressed with plaister. There was also ono as if caused
by a cord being tied tightly round it. The mark
could not have been produced by hanging, it must have
been inflicted lying down—it is so regular all round the
throat. The cord must have been tied rather tightly, or
see-sawed, to have produced the mark. I asked Mrs.
Bacon how the injury was inflicted, and she said a man
had come in at the window and tried to cut her throat.
I have been shown a piece of rope by the police, and am
of opinion that it would cause the marks he had de-
scribed.

Cross-examined by Mr. Sleig,h—When I first saw the
female prisoner I was of opinion that she was not a per-
son of sound mind.

By Mr. Metcalfe—lt was my impression whe❑ I saw
the femnle prisoner at Ilorsemonger-lane gaol that she
had inflicted the injuries upon her throat herself.
Mr. Sargeant, who resided next door to the house oc•
copied by Bacon, said—l last saw the prisoners on Sun-
day, the 28th of December. They went out together.
I did not see them again until the murder was discovered.
On the Monday following I was sweeping in front of the
door, and in doing so accidentally struck. Bacon's door
and made a noise, and I beard eouiebody waving inside,
as if some person was approaching the dour to open it.
The door was not opened, and I heard the sounds return.
I have frequently heard a child cry in Bacon's house,
but on Monday I did not hear any crying.
Mary Pearson said—ln December I resided next door