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

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SUN OFFICE, Seven 0' Clock.

LATE MURDER AT HAMPSTEAD.

ADJOURNED CORONER'S INQUEST.
(THIS DAY.)
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)

After the jurymen had re-assembled, the father, who ap-
peared very much afflicted, was brought in. The prisoner's
fortitude again forsook him, and a second time during the pro-
ceedings, he wept unrestrainedly.
Thos. Rocker, of Charles-street, Portland-town, sworn—l
am a ladies' shoemaker. I never saw Delarue, but have
heard his name mentioned by my son Thomas perhaps fifty
times. I had a misgiving of the person who had caused the
murder when my son told me that he had taken a
watchout of pledge. He told me so on Saturday evening, while
we were walking from our house to Marylebone-lane. I saw the
watch again on Sunday, when he said he had taken it out of
pledge. I was present when my son came to get a pair of
boots on the morning when he was taken into custody. (The
trousers and waistcoat were shown to the witness.) To the
best of my belief these are my son's. This ring I found on
Friday last, and gave to the officers. I found it amongst
the cuttings of the leather for burning. I was taking a hand-
ful to burn, when I found the ring amongst them. The cut-
tings were rolled together on the floor beneath one of the
windows. I had never seen the ring before. I never had
heard of the ring before. Thomas left his home at half-
past six or a quarter to seven o'clock on the Friday
week. He had dined and taken tea at home, with
his mother, myself, and brother. We took tea about
four, and after that he was occupied in reading and a con-
versation with us. Ido not recollect that he took anything
with him. It must have been fully half-past six when he
left. James was working until twenty minutes after eight
that night, then he changed his clothes and washed himself
before he left the house. That would take him twenty
minutes longer. The brothers hardly ever went together.
Thomas was in the habit of using a very large stick which
he said he had lost three weeks ago. He had brought
it from Sheffield some two years before that time.
My son had no -watch or ring before last week. He had not
worn a ring before I found that among the cuttings. He
represented to me for some time back that some kind friend
was going to lend him some money, and he told me that he
had received a note from Mrs. Edwards, stating that she
would lend him some money on Sunday night, but he said
he should go on Friday night, and he hoped he should get it.
I said she must be a great friend to lend a stranger
ten pounds. I never knew Mrs. Edwards before this
affair. Before he went out he said that if he were
successful in getting the money, he would return
home earlier. I saw him again on Saturday morning at ten
o'clock. That was his usual hour of coming to breakfast.
He seemed, as usual, cheerful, and after he came into the
room he pulled money out of his pocket. I understood he
had got 12 guineas, and I congratulated him, and said, " I
hope you'll be careful with it." On that night going to
Marylebone-lane, he said he had got a watch out of pledge,
I said, better keep your money in your pockets, or it will
slip through your fingers.
The CORONER—Who can state as to the hour James left
the house ?

Watsonn
Wi
was there personsand
ewtholod aurse:ohferteh.
the murder,
mrencrodlt
elezantdhedtwimelet
on it some time. 'My son, Thomas, said, " Don't talk more
about that. It's a gloomy subject." He showed his shirt
sleeve to Watson and us, but I saw no blood. Thomas was
very intimate with Delarue, but I never saw him in my life.
—(The letters so often mentioned were exhibited
to Witness.) I know writing greatly like this
(then bursting into tears)—l believe it to be my son Tho-
mas's writing. I never saw letters addressed to
" James Cooper, Esq., Hampstead-road." Mrs. Watson was
at home nearly the whole of the Friday evening. I have
heard my son call Delarue Cooper, and afterwards he has
told me that his name was Delarue, and not Cooper. I ex-
pressed my suspicion that any respectable man should deny
his name, or use another; and he accounted for it by saying
he was somewhat eccentric. I believe my son was acquainted
with him for three years.
The CORONER—You say he never visited you himself ?
Witness (emphatically)—He never did.
The CORONER to prisoner—Is there any question you wish
me to ask your father. The prisoner—Everything my father
has said is quite true. I have nothing to add.
Richard Greenfield said he was a waiter, at the Swiss
Cottage, and on the evening of the murder a person came
in about half-past seven o'clock, and called for a glass of
rum and water. I have looked at the prisoner, but he is not
the person.

Mary Ffrench, 31, Princes-street, Portman-market. My
husband is driver of an omnibus. Ido not know Thomas

Henry Hockey. 1 only know his brother James. He:s
in my shop (a cigar shop) about nine o'clock. He said
then that he had come from his work. He
said on Sunday evening when he came again that
from the letters found on the murdered man, it must be De-
larue, but he would not tell his brother that evening, for fear
it should disturb him, " as poor Tom's feelings would be so
hurt." He said further, he knew it was him, by the identical
D on his linen, and by his going by the name of Cooper. The
next night, after Thomas was taken into custody, he slept at
my house. He did not tell me to deny to the police that he
had slept there.

Abraham Austin—Lodges with last witness. I saw James
Rocker last Friday week, about nine o'clock, in Mrs.
Ffrench's ; then he went out with her daughter, and I again
saw him about ten o'clock. I saw him going along Rim-
bank on his way home. He was there again on Sunday
from about eleven to one o'clock, and was set to read the
paper. He read about the police and about the murder, and
when he read that the linen was marked " D," and that a
letter was found addressed " Cooper," he said, " I should not
wonder if this was Delarue," and that he was a particular
friend of his brother's. The conversation then broke off. I
saw him again that evening, but we did not mention the
name of Delarue or Cooper.
Charlotte Ffrench—l saw James Rocker on Friday even-
ing at nine, and he remained till nearly eleven. I showed
him the paper on Sunday, and he said about the person mur-
dered that he thought it was Delarue, but he would not tell

his brother Tom.
Philip Stevens, police-constable, 200 S said, that a state-
ment was made by James Hocker on the way to the sta-
tion-house, in Salisbury-street, Portman-market. Inspector
Grey was behind. James Hocker said, "My brother came
home to No. 11, Victoria-terrace, on Friday-night (the
21st ult.) I don't know exactly what time he came
home. I was in bed, and he said, James, I have
been having a bit of a lark, I hive been to see
Sarah Cocks. I've been very successful, and obtained the
money from the person that promised me the loan of some,
and he mentioned Mrs. Edwards, Bath-place, New-
road, and he showed me ten or eleven sovereigns.
He asked if I thought they would take the evidence
of a father, mother, or brother. I said I did not know
whether they would take the evidence of them. He said,
" I'm sorry, I don't think he can bring any one else to chew
when he left his house." I took James Rocker in custody
in Marylebone theatre.
Police-sergeant Scotney was called in, and repeated the
evidence given by him on the former occasion.
Daniel Delarue identified the watch and ring as his late
brother's property. He was not aware why he should be
called Cooper, or Curteis.
The brother, James Hecker, was discharged from custody,
and then examined as a witness.—The prisoner is my
brother, and I sleep at 11, Victoria-terrace, but have my meals
at 17, Charles-street. I took tea at home on Friday evening,
and my brother then banded me a slate, on which was written,
" Jem, I received a note from Mrs. Edwards this morning,
stating that ten sovereigns will be at my disposal this eve-
ning," and he then added that he would be at home in toler-
able time. He left not later than seven. It was quite dark.
I did not see that he took any stick with him. He came
home between two and three o'clock, and the noise
he made on coming into the room awoke me. He
said, " Well, Jem, I've been snccessful ; I've got the
money that Iso long expected." Ho then took off his coat
and waistcoat, and shewed me the right sleeve of his shirt,
and said, " I've been skylarking Jem, as you see, I've
had the sleeve of my shirt torn off." I said, " How
comes that about ?" He said, " I've been to Sarah
Cocks." a young girl ho heard him speak of
before. I forgot to say that he showed me some
money, and said, " Here are twelve sovereigns, that's two
more than I expected." I rose in the morning and went off,
and he came over to Charles-street, and began to dispose of
his money by giving father some and mother some. He was
in their debt, as he had been out of work. That day
passed over without any allusion to Mr. Delarue. At
night Mr. Watson was invited up; we were all in high
spirits at the idea of havieg so kind a friend, who had enabled
us to liquidate a few debts. Mr. 'Watson's statement is per-
fectly correct, with this trifling difference, that I said also,
"that murder was a gloomy subject, and ont of place then."
I saw, when going to bed, the watch that has been identified as
the property of Delarue. He said, "you see it's going. He some
time ago pledged a watch ford. and I thought it was it. I read
in the newspapers on Sunday of the murder and then thought
it was Delarue. I could not sleep that night for I was so
excited, and my brother said to me " What's the matter,"
but I did not tell him then. At four in the morning I told
him, and he said " Who is it ?" I told him I thought
it was Delarue, and he turned very pale, and said I
must get up, but you must get me a pair of old boots. I
went over to Charle-street, and when I returned I could see
that he had been crying, as I was myself. We then went
over to Charles-street, and my mother said the body has
been owned by his brother. Thomas then said,
there would be no utility in his going to see
the body, as he could give no clue to the murderers.
The witness then verified the constable Scotney's evidence as
to the proceedings in taking the prisoner into custody. The
letters were shewn to the witness, and he said that it !night
be the handwriting of his brother, but it was not his usual
style of writing. I have heard him speak of "Caroline,"
and say the poor devil, meaning Delarue, was embarrassed.
I know of no one going with him on Friday night to Mrs.
Edwards's. Ido not know the Cocks, or where they live.
My brother often met Delarue at the corner of Henry-street,
Portland-town, usually of a morning. About seven months
ago he gave my brother 51. I heard from my brother that
Delarue ha.d been robbed of a gold watch-chain and ten
sovereigns.
The prisoner had nothing to ask of witness.
James Rocker's examination continued—My brother and
Delarue's usual place of meeting was on the side of Primrose
Hill, just opposite to Henry-street. He first became ac-
quainted with the deceased by meeting him there.
George Leveridge, in the service of Mr Windgloss, news-
vendor, High-street, rortland-town—On Friday night, at
or about half-past seven, he was at the bar of the Swiss
Cottage, and saw the prisoner come in, seemingly much
agitated, and ask for the parlour. He (Leveridge) then left
the house.
The CoxoxErt then briefly summed up, and the jury with-
out retiring returned a verdict of " Wilful murder against
Thomas Henry Rocker."
The witnesses were bound over to appear at the Old
Bailey, and the inquest-room was then cleared.

(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 124Y0 417013'51=de= happy ; Yet WA 00, if it will Put

one smile of hope and comfort on my countenance
You can render me for nver light-hearted and happy, or for
ever heart broken and conscious stricken. Oh, that a
bended knee might peocure me the former lot.
" Ever yours, CAROLINE.

" By Miss F.
" James Cooper, Hampstead-road."

11/PERIAL PARLIAMENT.
(THIS EVENING.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool-
sack at Five o'clock.
LAW IMPROVEMENT.

Lord CAMPBELL moved the second reading of three
Bills for the improvement of the common law process in
the Courts of England, Scotland, and Ireland. It was
not necessary that he should now occupy the
House by going into the details of these three
Bills. For two of them, the Courts of Common Law
Process Bills for England and Ireland, passed their
Lordships unanimously last session. But they were
objected to in the House of Commons, on the ground
that there was a want of reciprocity, as the Bills did
not apply to Scotland.—(A laugh.) That objection
was now removed, as his Right Honourable Friend
the Lord Advocate: had prepared a Bill called
the Court of Sessions Process Bill (Scotland)
on precisely the same principles. The object of the Bill
was to enable actions to be carried on without the per-
sonal service of process upon the person sued, that per-
son being in a foreign country at the time. A cor-
respondent of the Noble Lord the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs had expressed apprehension that these
Bills would be regarded by foreign Courts as a usurpa-
tion of their jurisdiction. But that could not be the
case, as the Bill related only to process in actions between
British subjects, and for debts contracted in the United
Kingdom.
Lord BROUGHAM said, that his Noble Friend, hav-
ing made a reference to what fell from him respecting
this Bill last session, he would beg to observe that his
objection had not been to the principle, but to the details
of the Bill. Of the principle he highly approved, for
he thought that it was calculated to remedy a great
evil There were, it was true, some objections to the
Bill which he entertained, and if they were not removed
he should feel it his duty to press those objections. But,
with regard to the principle of the measure, ho appealed
both to his Noble Friend who moved the second reading,
and also to his Noble Friend on the Woolsack, whether it
was not a right and equitable principle which the Bill
affirmed. There was one thing especially to be observed
in the Bill;—that the object of the plaintiff was to con-
ceal his proceedings from the defendant, and he
consequently might and probably would get some
foreigner of indifferent character to swear that process
was duly served. Now such a foreigner might be out of
the jurisdiction of any court, and beyond reach of all
punishment for perjury. What he wished was, that the
service or that the affidavit of service at any rate should
be a British service.

Lord CAMPBELL said that the opinion of his Noble
Friend was worthy of attention, but the objection might
he considered in Committee.
The Bill was then read a second time.
FORCES IN IRELAND.

The Duke of WELLINGTON, seeing the Noble
Marquis (the Marquis of Normanby) in his place,
begged to suggest that the motion, of which he had
given notice, should be brought on on the same day with
his previous motion ; for he had not had time to look
over the returns of the forces sent to Ireland,
and if the Noble Marquis would postpone his motion,
it would give him time to look over these returns.
The Marquis of NORMANBY said that his motion
was not for the amount of the force sent to Ireland, but
the number of troops in that country on the Ist of
January in each year for the last ten years. He should
be happy to comply with the Noble Duke's request, to
bring on both the motions on the same day. He had
been anxious to bring the matter before the House,
because his Noble Friend (Earl Fortescue), who had
stayed in town on purpose, was unable to remain longer
than to-morrow. Understanding that his !Noble Friend
the Secretary for the Colonies would remain in town
the whole of to-morrow, so as to be present at the
discussion, he could not say that he would postpone his
motion without he had the consent of his Noble Friend.
The Duke of WELLINGTON—My Noble Friend
the Secretary for the Colonies will certainly not be able
to be in the House to-morrow.