The Sun.
London, England, 1829-03-23 00:00:00

PORTSMOUTH MURDERS.

(From the Hampshire Telegraph.)
Stacey the younger, since his imprisonment, has t 2
manifesited the slightest contrition, but has shewn the
greatest indifference to h's fate. On Tuesday, in reply to
a question put to him by a prisoner,. in gaol for a penalty!
wilt) was watching over him, he said he would acquaint
him how " the chap" told him (Stacey) he cumulate,'
the murder. He got in at the back of the house. and on
Charity Jolliffe opening the door with a candlestick in bet
hand, he seized her throat with one of his hands, and en-
deavoured to place the other over her mouth, to strangle
her ; that he then took the candlestick and knocked het
down, and whist there beat her over the head with a
long brush, until the brush part came off; that he cond'
nued to beat her with the handle till that broke ; that the
last words heheard her utter were, " Oh Lord ! Oh Lord!"
Thinking her dead, he went up stairs to the old man, an
demanded his money ; the old man struck him once of
twice with his stick ; on leaving him, the old man fell out
of his chair ; he then with a tiling hammer killed hint'
,
He came down stairs, aed finding Charity Jolliffe
moving, be drew his knife and cut her throat ; whilst is
this act, some one knocked at the door; he afterwaadt
went up stairs again, and cut the old man's throstr
took his keys from his pocket, opened the box, plundered
it of the money, and then decamped.
A scene of the moat affecting description, ensued lel
evening, in an interview between the younger Stacey ar!
his three sisters. As soon as they entered his cell, the
wretched prisoner threw himself on his knees befofo
them, and asked to be forgiven. They instantly fell et
theirs in great grief, and sobbed piteously. They er,
joined him not to indulge in any hope that mercy woulti
be extended to him in this world, but to endeavour to fiy?
consolation in prayer, to look to Heaven for pardon.
their quitting him, the prisoner bade them a lest farewel"
and said that he should never see them again.
The prisoners were conveyed in a chaise to Winchostar
gaol this morning, at six o'clock. On the father and al
meeting, the former appeared in great mental distress, apt
burst into tears. He accosted the son with, Oh Jolla'
John ! what have you brought us to—you know, J°l'4
you have done it—you can expect nothing in this world;
you know it is life fur life—confess your crime, and eon'
vince the world I know nothing of it." Stacey, lb°
younger, replied, " Father, I have said all along that yo
are innocent." We understand that the prisoner ha 4
made full confession that he alone was concerned in the
murder. Mr. Edward Hunt and Cox escorted the pre'
soners to Winchester, and although they started at 0
early an Lour, there was a large concourse of persona ad
sembled to see them set off.
The following is a copy, verbat7m, of a letter written 9°
Sunday, by Stacey, the younger, to his sisters :
March 15, 1829.--DEAREST SISTERS.—I beg kafel
trobbing you with then few lines, Dear Sisters 0 for God
i
sake Do not bear mullase Dearest Sisters heare am me Oil
my Father in Full of trouble. My Father is very at'
I can not see him, but all Friends Fair well 0 God for
me all the Sin and wickedness that I have done brat Deere!
friends, that I can not expect, but I trust in the Lord ek.°
Derest Sisters will have something in your harts but it
not for my Sake that I Frets but it is about my Father,'
but I hope that you will forgive me, and forget it
is all that you expect from me I'd sopose but send my kif,
love to my Mother in law and all friends that is both
and near, but this is all that you can expect from me b!'t
hope that none of you ever will come to such as sue
9
one, but Farewell, Farewell Farewell 1 du not mane tbl
for one but to all my friends and enemies-0 may 4:,:
Lord heare my Prairs and forgive me this is all that I ha 0
got to say Dearest friends all, in July i hope some Of Yet
will come and Se me Die Farewell, God blues you all-f°
God's sake, So be it, Amen.
JOHN STACEY, Portsmouth.
Amen. Born June 5, I 808•