The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-22 00:00:00

ME MURDER IN SOUTH STAF-
FORDSHIRE.

On Thursday afternoon, at the Cross Guns Inn,
Old Bilston•road (Mr. Brittain's), an inquest was
opened before G. H. Hinchliffe, Esq., coroner, on
the body of the unfortunate woman, Jane Owen,
27 years of age, who met with an untimely fate
under circumstances detailed in a previous im-

pression.
Mr. Sheldon was in attendance to watch the pro-
ceedings on behalf of the prisoner, who was also
present, and appeared deeply affected by her situa-
tion. Mr. Bayley appeared on behalf of the police
authorities, having been instructed by Major
M'Knight. The coroner, however, stated he could
not allow him to examine the witnesses, although
he might suggest questions through him (the
coroner).
The first witness called was Maria, wife of John
Simmonds, a groom, living in Wednesbury. She
deposed as follows :—Deceased's husband's name
was Benjamin Owen; he was a labourer, and kept
the Cottage Spring. I think they had been mar-
ried eight or nine years. They had two little girls
living. As far as I know they had lived.on very
good terms together. I saw Mrs. 0 wen about twelve
on that day, in her own house, and she appeared in
her usual health. I was there from twelve till seven
or after, helping her to make some caps. Her hus-
band was not at home to dinner, but came in about
four o'clock. As far as I know he was then sober.
He had some refreshment, and I do not remember
his going out. He appeared at that time to be on
very good terms with his wife. I went home be-
tween seven and eight o'clock and returned about
half-past eight. When I returned Mrs. Owen stood
at the front door crying. I asked her what it was
for, and she said, " Our Emma has been here, and
Ben did so curse me for seeing Emma?" I told her
she should not see Emma when it was so much
against Ben's wish. Emma is deceased's sister.
Deceased went with me into the bar, and Benjamin
0 wen said, " What is the matter with you ?" De-
ceased made no reply. Owen appeared much ex-
cited, and lifted his fist and struck the deceased on
the lefe side of her face. Deceased replied, " Ben,
it is the first time you ever struck me," to which
he replied, " You have had those thieves here again
and you know how I dislike them." He then struck
her a second time in the same place, and knocked
her off the bench on which she was sitting on to the
floor. She fell on her hands, but was able to get up
again. She then said, " Oh, Ben, don't," and he
told her three or four times to go out. She replied,
" I'll go, then." He was in a passion during the time
this took place, but deceased was not. After de-
ceased had gone out, I said "For God's sake, Owen,
don't strike her any more." He said when I went
to the door, " I'll have her back," and in a few mi-
nutes he followed her, I going after him. I went to
the entry, to which some people directed me, in
which Mr. Cresswell's house is, and into which de-
ceased had gone. I saw Owen coming back as I
of to the entry. I do not know where he had been.
He was walking, and I said, " Oh, Ben, where is
she ?" He made no reply, but walked on down the
road. I went on into Cresswell's house, which was
full of people, and I there saw deceased lying on
the floor. Her head was being supported against
a person's knees, and her hands were on each side of
her face. I said, " Give me some water ;" but when
I went 'to put it to deceased's lips I said "It's no
use; she is dead." I saw a bruise under the left
ear, and the latter was bleeding. I sent for a doctor,
and Mr. Lynes came. I spoke, to him, and he said
she was dead. I afterwards saw her removed home.
Owen was previously sent for to Cresswell's house,
and he came. Some one said, "Do you know what
you have done ?" and he replied, " I am truly sorry ;
I can't help it now ; we never had a word before.
I have done it, my wench, I have done it, and I am
willing to die with you." He seemed very much
affected. The person I have mentioned as Emma
goes by the name of Mrs. Wright. I have heard
Owen say that the latter had wronged him, and
that he would not have her at his house; but I
never heard him before have a word with his wife.
Of my own knowledge I do not know whether Mrs.
Wright was at Owen's house on Tuesday last. When
Owen left the house to go after his wife he appeared
much excited, but he had nothing in his hand, nor
when I met him at the entry. From the time he
left the house till I met him at the entry about ten
minutes had elapsed. It was in consequence of
deceased's screams that so many people assembled
in the road. When deceased was on the ground
Owen attempted to kick her, but he did not. lam
sure he did not.

Eliza, wife of David Cresswell, a labourer, stated
—During the time I have known Owen he and his
wife appeared to live happily together. On Tues-
t day night, between nine and ten, I heard screams,
upon which I opened my door, and deceased, with
her little girl, ran into the house. Deceased said,
" Hide me, hide me," and ran into the pantry, which
leads out of the kitchen. About five minutes after-
wards 0 wen tried the house door, and said " Open,"
two or three times. The door was accordingly
opened, and he came in, and, without speaking,
walked straight to the stairs door, which he opened,
and ascended two or three steps. He then came
back, and went to the coal-house door, which he
opened also. He said " Where is she ?" and ap-
peared "put about." He then went to the pantry
door, but I told him she was not there. He, how-
ever, opened the door, and the deceased said, "Oh,
Ben, don't." He said, " This is Moggy for you !"
meaning, as I understool, that deceased had been
drinking with a woman named Kendrick, who goes
by that name. Owen then laid hold of deceased's
hand, pulled her out, and she fell down sideways on
the floor. I did not hear Owen say anything more
then. I did not see him strike her or kick her, and
in about five minutes he left the house. 1 did not
see deceased move after she fell, nor did she speak.
I should think she lived about five or ten minutes
after she fell. Owen left as she fell, but came back
to the house and commenced undoing deceased's
clothes and rubbing her and kissing her.
Ann Smith, wife of Joseph Smith, labourer, of
Wednesbury, deposed—About half-past nine on
Tuesday night, as I was sitting on the steps of a
neighbour's house, I heard a cry of " murder," and
I went to Owen's door, which was open. I did not
go in, but I heard quarrelling, and Owen say, "I
will break the home up ; there shan't be a place to
put your head in." I heard the rattle of fire-irons,
and deceased came out, followed by her little girl.
She was crying, and her hair was down. She went
down the road, and I saw her go up the entry, and
into Cresswell's house. I afterwards saw Owen
follow deceased to Cresswell's house, and after
knocking he went in. I followed him in, and upon
entering he said, " Turn the cat out." Mrs. Cress-
well said she was not there, but 0 wen said she was.
When he opened the pantry door deceased sat
there, and he said, " Come out and go home, you
cat, I'll give you Moggy ;" but I did not know what
he meant. He then laid hold of her shoulder with
one hand, and while she was in the pantry he
kicked at her, but I cannot say whether he did kick
her. He then struck her with his fist on the left side
of the face, and it seemed a " pretty hard" blow. It
knocked her down, and she fell, her feet being in the
pantry. I did not see him strike her more than once.
She fell on her left side, and Owen directly left the
house. When he got outside he said, " There,
pick the drunken up." He then made towards •
home. I never saw deceased move after-she fell.
Some lumps rose on the left side of her head, and
some one lifted her head up and bathed her temples.
When Owen came back and was told that deceased
was dead, he said, " Fetch a smelling-bottle." He
also said, I have done it; I never struck her
before, and lam willing to die .with her." 0 wen
had hold of the deceased by one hand at the time
that he struck he:: with the other. When he went
into the house he did not seem in a great passion.