The Sun.
London, England, 1845-03-04 00:00:00

tion of the weapon by which the injuries had been in-
flicted. What that weapon is, Heaven only knows.
There the evidence of Miss Philps, and her ev dente is
very peculiar, shows that the prisoner, Thorns,: Hockey,
was at No. 17, Portland-place, that same nig'.t, at 10
minutes after 9 ; that he then produced the ,N atch and
ring, although he was never before seen wit either of
them, and that he brought in his cloak upo i his arm.
The evidence of that young girl is particularly striking,
because it is ascertained that previously he had not
a watch or ring in his possession on that night. True,
he said that Delarue gave him his watch to pledge on the
Friday morning at 10 o'clock, but to the evidence of the
witnesses the prisoner had not demurred once ; he had
not asked a single question all the time the witnesses
were being examined, and had but once challenged the
truth of the witnesses' statements. You have seen the
coat produced and that two buttons are wanting. It
has been proved that one of those buttons was found in
the room, and the other was found within two yards
of the spot where the body was discovered. Any
person who has examined them may see, and must believe,
that they ace from the same garment, as they match in
every particular. However, they may not be conclusive
of themselves, and only important facts as taken in
connexion with other circumstances; yet you have
the marks of blood upon the drawers, corresponding with
the trousers taken off the prisoner by Inspector Haynes,
in the Clerkenwell House of Correction. The father has
given his evidence in the most honest wa, cosidering
what are the circumstances under which hen appears
here., and great credit is due to him ; for no man could
have given his evidence more fairly—more truly. He
states that, at half-past six o'clock, his son
Thomas Hocker left home. His brother states
that he left at half after six o'clock, or a quarter
to seven, certainly not later than seven o'clock ;
and they were informed that the distance from the fa-
ther's house to the place where the body was found was
only a ten minute's walk. The cries of murder were first
heard at a quarter after seven, and no attempt had been
Imade to set up an alibi, and the circumstances admit of
Thos. Hocker s having been on that spot when the cries
lof murder were heard. In consequence of an expression
which Jas. Hocker used when Scottney, the police ser-
geant, entered the room, suspicion might very properly
have attached to him, more especially when we consider
that the deceased's watch was found under the pillow,
and part of the prisoner's, Thos. Rocker's shirt, with a
bloody sleeve, was found also in the room. But let
us trace the situation of James locker from the time of
his brother's being taken into custody. Thomas Hecker
was taken into custody at half-past one on Wednesday
morning. James offered to accompany his brother to
the Hempstead station-house, and you are informed
that after accompanying the officers and him for a con-
siderable distance, it was only owing to the words of In-
spector Partridge that he returned and left them. James
Hocker had a full knowledge of the charge for which his
brother had been taken into custody, and he had ample
opportunity of making away with everything or any-
thing which could by possibility have proved his bro-
ther guilty. He could have got rid of the clothes, he
could have got rid of the shirt, of the macintosh, and of
the stockings—in fact, of anything or of every-
thing which was in the slightest degree calculated to
prove his brother guilty of this crime; but so far from
making away with anything, everything was left open—
nothing was concealed—tbe shirt was not concealed, the
macintosh was not concealed, the stockings were not
concealed. Everything was laid open to the view of the
officers when they entered; and certainly these circum-
stances seem to prove, in the most satisfactory manner,
that neither the father, or the mother, or the brother,
entertained the most distant suspicion f Thos. Hocker's
guilt. That, I think, fully warrants me in discharging
James locker from custody, to place him, however, as
a witness against his brother ; and in looking back
upon all the evidence, I see nothing whatever which ap-
pears to implicate either the father, the mother, or James
Hocker in this transaction. At the first blush of the
case it did seem extraordinary that he should think the
person murdered to have been Delarue, but he after
wards satisfactorily explained that ; and therefore no
suspicion can now attach to the parents or this young
man. He has given his evidence as fairly, and as clearly,
and as creditably to himself as his parent did. They
are both placed in an awful position with regard to their
relative; but both have given their evidence as clearly
and as faithfully as they could, considering the circum-
stances in which they are placed. The case, as it now
stands, refers to Thomas Henry Mocker alone, and
the circumstances adduced are of a very pointed and
striking character. At every step they tend
to confirm and strengthen the evidence against him.
He does not attempt to prove that he was either
in one or another place that night. He writes on a
slate to his brother, that he is going to Mrs. Edward's
to get some money ; she has been in Court, and she
states that she has never lent him any, and that she
never promised him any. The next time he is seen is in
Portland-place, and then he has the watch and the ring
which have been proved to have belonged to Delarue ;
then we see nothing of him till two o'clock on the sue-
ceedin morning, when he returns to his lodgings in
Victoria-place. He accounts to his brother for the
torn sleeve, by stating that he bad been romping with
Sarah Cox. Then he produces the twelve sovereigns,
but he says nothing about the watch, nothing about
the rim bat he shows him the sleeve of his
:shirt, which was torn and bloody. The clothes are
found and identified, and they are spotted with blood in
various parts. These circumstances tell fearfully against
Thomas Henry Hocker. Subsequently, on Monday
night, he is with Miss Philps, and on Tuesday night or
Wednesday morning he is taken into custody. We are
told by Sergeant Scottney that on that morning the pri-
soner took the watch from under his pillow, saying,
"Delarue gave it to him to sell for him;" but we have
no proof that it was seen ix his possession until we have
Miss Philps's evidence that he had it on Friday night.
You can come but to one conclusion—namely, that the
prisoner, Thomas Henry Hocker, must be placed upon
his trial for the wilful murder of James Delarue. If
you can come to any other conclusion, you are at liberty
to do so. He is not tried here, but he
has had every chance of bringing forward wit-
nesses, and ho has not availed himself of the
opportunity. James, his brother, has availed himself
of that advantage, and has distinctly proved that he did
not leave home till nine o'clock. The body of the mur-
dered man was found at eight, thus rendering it impossi-
ble that he could be present at the transaction. The other
matters of which I spoke in the beginning of the inquest
it is improper to speak of now. You have only one duty
to discharge. If you believe that James Hocker is im-
plicated, notwithstanding my having discharged him
from custody, you will include him in your verdict, and
with this remark I will be done. It is not necessary for
me to say more, or to detain you longer in this very
painful investigation.
The jury without retiring returned a verdict of " Wilful
Murder against Thomas Henry Hocker."
The witnesses were bound over to appear at the Old
Bailey, and the inquest-room was then cleared.
The prisoner was then conveyed in an omnibus to the
New prison.

(Copy of the letter so frequently referred to, and signed
" Caroline") :
My dearest James—l have so often resigned myself to
your will and embrace, that 1 find myself in a
situation which makes it necessary for me to leave
home shortly. I would rather die than doubt either
your word or your honour; yet do not, oh do
not, be ashamed to own me. If you cannot at present
give me the title of wife, conceal me from the cruel
finger of scorn. Heaven has been my witness that I have loved
you but too dearly. Let me be happy in the conviction
that you will one day restore me to your arms for ever. Ease
my suspense by meeting me to• morrow at the place where,
alas. you have always made me happy ; yet not so, if it will put
one smile of hope and comfort on my countenance
You can render me for ever light-hearted and happy, or for
ever heart• broken and conscience-stricken. Oh, that a
bonded knee might procure me the former lot.
" Ever yours,
" By Miss F. " CAROLINE."
" James Cooper, Hampstead•road."

PLACIDITY OF THE Pursue;Ett.—Yesterday, after the con-
cluson of the evidence taken by the Coroner, Thomas Henry
Hocker withdrew to a private room, with Willoughby and
Jackson, the warders of the prison, and Sergeant Gray, G 12.
He appeared there totally unconcerned about the crime: with
which he stands charged. His father and brother, James
Hocker, were allowed to see him. In the course of the in-
terview, his father (who was deeply affected) remarked to
him that the evidence was very strong against him, and
trusted that he would be able to prove his innocence; but
urged him to prepare for the worst. He replied that he was
fully prepared for the result, whatever it might be. His
father then alluded to the disgrace that had been brought
upon the family. He remarked, that he was sorry on his
father's account, and that he was indifferent what became of
himself. His father shed tears, and every person present was
affected Ind the prisoner. Hocker subsequently stated that
if twenty policemen had seen him commit the act of which
he was alleged to be guilty, he would not move a muscle
of his countenance; and said that he should conduct his
own defence, for that he had not money to pay counsel,
and none was allowed by Government. In the course
of this conversation, Hocker familiarly handed about
his snuff-box, and partook of some halCand-half. At the
tsrminatiou of the inquiry, Hocker was conveyed privately
in the custody of Willoughby aml Jackson, with Sergeant
Gray and two policemen of the G division into an omnibus,
which was expressly hired for the occasion, by which he was
taken to the New Prison. Upon hearing that he was not to
be led through the immense crowd which was in front of
tie Yorkshire Grey, he expressed his thanks to the sergeant
of police. On his way to town he entered into conversation
about the different localities in the neighbourhood of Hamp-
stead, and in reference to his absence from chapel at the
New Prison that day, remarked that he supposed the chap-
lain would be able to do without him. The omnibus reached
the New Prison about a quarter before six o'clock last night,
when Hocker was immediately delivered into the custody of
Mr. KiLsby, the governor. He was taken to the room where
prisoners are usually placed on admission, when he warmed
his hands by the fire and smiled. He then took some snuff,
and offered his snutf•box to a person present, after which he
was conveyed to the infirmary, where he will remain till this
day under the surveillance of one of the warders. After the
prisoner left the admission-room, the head clerk observed to

ergeant Redmayne, of the G division, " God bless me, Red-
Wayne, I do not know what murders will come to new ;
here is a man brought in on a verdict of wilful murder, and
he has come in smiling."

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.
HOME CIRCUIT-March 3.
.The judges have arranged that the busir!es? for Essex
is to commence on Wednesday (the commission day) at
One o'clock, in both courts.
Hertford, March 3.
CROWN COURT,—(BAre Mr. Baron ALDERSON.)
William Sheffield, 22, :farmer, was indicted for felo-
niously setting fire to a barn and other farm buildings,
in his own occupation, with intent to defraud Jane
ShetTield and others.
Mr. Hawkins conducte I the prosecution, and Mr.
Clarkson appeared for the prisoner.
From the statement of the Learned Counsel it ap-
peared that the circumstances under which the charge
was brought against the prisoner, were of rather a sin-
gul.u.character. The charge was supported by the de-
dirations made by him at the time of the fire, and it was