The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-12-11 00:00:00

SACRILFGE.

Eduttrad Bush, a young man of respectable appearance, was
;nd•cted for brea►ing and entering the pariah charch of Down-
am, on the 11th of October, end sacrilegiously stealing two
stirrer tassels, silver fringe, two keys. and other articles, the
peoiserty of the parishioners of Downhsm.
The Jury found the prisoner Not Guilty.

MURDER OF MR. MUMFORD.
Fora o'CLocii.—The Grand Jury have just returned
rto Court with their last presentment.
. The Foreman, addressing his Lordship, said, "My
Lled, we have gone through all the business which was
•iii before us. It has, however, just come to our know
- letlsre, that a most atrocious murder has been committed
within the county, and as we are anxious to do all in our
power towards having justice rendered upon the party
guilty of it, we will, it your Lordship pleases, continue
sitting, or adjourn over to such time as your Lordship may
. think fit, fur the purpose of remising the indictment
which may be presented before ns. We would suggest
• orir re-assembling on Friday morning, if the arrangement
Inert, vonr Lordship's approbation."
Mr. Justice Pant replied, that before he gave an answer
to their communication, be wished to confer with his
Learned Brother. His Lordship then retired for a short
time, when, having returned, he addressed the Grand Jury
G .ntlemen, I believe it is unnecessary for me to repeat
to yon, how anxious my Learned Brother and myself are to
lend ourselves in any way whatever which may be most
tr.efni in furthering the ends of public justice. Neither
need I tell you what pleasure we derive from the zealous
and hearty co-operation which we have received from you ;
a co tree of conduit which reflects the highest credit upon
you individually, and is most essential in a public point of
view; for so long as the administration of the law is
sane ioned by the presence of Gentlemen of your appear-
ance. there is a security that his Majesty's wisdom, in
. issuing these special commissions will not be frustrated.
With regard to the particular case to which you have called
my attention, I have to apprise you, that I have just
learned by accident that the Coroner has not taken his
Inqnisltion yet, amt that therefore there is no ground laid
for you to proceed. If that Inquisition had been returned
to us. we should hare felt it to be our duty to proceed upon
it, unless our business was imperatively required in another
place by &certain day. It is, however, more pleasant that
all acts should have the sanction of the Grand Inquisition
of the County, and therefore I accept of your offer, and in
the name of the County have to thank you for your attend-
• snot and the zeal which you have shewn in the discharge
of your penile duties. Gentlemen, I shall desire that an
admonition be sent to the Coroner without delay, that he
• &nay be able to return the depositions into this Court,
and that you may not be called here uselessly on Friday
snorni ng.
Foreman.—Then it is your L2rdship's pleasure that we
alonrn over to Friday morning, at eight o'clock?
.14r. Justice Peac—lf you please, Gentlemen.
This most atrocious murder has excited almost as
leneb interest here as its twin-brother deed of horror
Ind provoked in a neighbouring county. Mr. Mum-
ford was a very respectable inoffensive man, well known
/n this town and its neighbourhood, and was generally
respected.
•

MURDER IN ESSEX.
(tvatnua PARTICULARS.)
When Mr. Mumford quitted the Walden Coach at Oven-
don, it was remarked that a man named Parrot rushed out
of the public-house, upon some person accidentally, saying
that it was a dark night for Mr. Mntnford's walk to Wid-
sliogtoe. About a quarter after eight o'clock, the unfor-
tunate young man was found about a mile from his father's
Anise, in the middle of the road,rnost a nhumanly murdeted.
jiffs bead was dreadfully bruised, as if by a club or hedge
stake, so that the features were not recognizable, and his
throat was partially cut under the chin; his neckcloth
having prevented the design. evidently contemplated by
the murderer, of severing the windpipe. Animation was
not entirely extinct when he was first discovered, and the
person oho fonhd him. Mr. John Smith, of Stansted
Aountfitchet, rallopped back to Widdington for lights and
Resistance. On his return he met Parrot advancing with
the deceased on his shoulders ; and though Mr. Smith had
not been absent ten minutes, the body had been removed
.to a considerable distsece from the spot where the foul act
bad been committed. On being questioned, Parrot said
that be knew it was James Mumford, and was carrying him
to his father's house. Several suspicious circumstances
seemed to point him out as the murderer. He is the son of
a poor man at Widdington, who atteuds Mr. Mumford
sen.'s he , and had been punished by the deceased for
lopping his father's trees, and committing other trespasses.
Tole punishment had generated the most implacable re•
'gage's his mind, and be bad been repeatedly heard to say
that be would do for young Mumford. On Parrot being
oesrebedos knife belonging to the wretched victim was
Sound epos him. Mt. Mumford, when be quitted the
coach was dressed is a 1 a great coat, which bad been 1
stripped of and hid is an ad lung field. This may account
for tW tempery absence°, arrot, supposing bim to be the
Crtrator of this feel deed, when Mr. Smith found the
A report is prevalent in the weighbourhdoel, that Parrot
has owed the whole, bet for the troth of this we can-
not tomb at present. The Commies Inquest will sit on
the body to-day (Thereday, Dee. il.) Three neighbour-
.lag Magistrates NM ball most acutely employed since