The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1892-11-25 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE LAMBETH TRAGEDY. PFAIDIOT AND SENTENCE.  At the Central Criminal Court, toutlou, ou Saturday. before Mr. Justice Bruce, Cue trial of the three men, Wallet, Balch, and Noble, for the murder of Dr. iVillistin Kerwain, and of Lee, charged with highwey robbery, was coucluded.—Johu Featherstone, who appeared in charge of warders, Wit that lie was undergoieg a sentence for rezeiving etolea bonds. On October 13th, after his committal for trial, he went to Holloway Gaol in the prison van. On arriving there he was placed in what is called the "receiving box." Two other men were placed with him. These men were Waller and Lee. Waller said that he was there "for muidering an al toll in the borough up a court." Wituees asked how much he got from him? Waller replied, "£1 65." Nt ituess said, " What was he ?" Waller said, "A solieitor." Witness remarked, "How much did you get from him ?" Waller repeated his former answer. Witness said, " Well, that was dot mieth to kill a man for." Waller said, " But we thought he had * lot of stuff on him." Ile added that his mato was going to stab the old geutleman, and iii the Ulilo he (Waller) received a stab in the chin. '1 hey lied some other conver,atiou respecting diet and the work in the prison. Waller asked if they were allowed books to read, and he replied in the affirmative. Lee, Waller maid, was hummer, tha landlady had made a mistake about him. Referring to the deceased, IValler said, "We had been to two or three public houses, and got him boozed.' J. nau ems 'Autry 1.1.1141, me man i o.• et, tor we never meant to kill him." tdros,-eAdmided by Mr. Thompson ; He was undergoing a tetua of nine mouths hard labour. When he was arreeied he had a counterfeit five-shilling piece. The bonds were it respect of a SIMI of to tnatutaineil that he was unjustly convicted.-In'. o icier O'Dea, of the M Division, spoke to being pr :eint when tht prisoners Wailer, Leo, and Balch were charged. He also deposed to visiting and receiviug the etatemout of Featherstone. William Harley, house surgeon, Guy's Hospital, said deceased had died from asphyxia, due to strangulation. kto thought that very greet pres.ure roust have been applied to produce the injuries. This uttered the case for the prosecution.—Couusel for the defence calling no witnesees, Mr. Matthews proceeded to sum up the ease on behalf of the prosecution. Thc learned counsel reviewed the evidence that had been given, contending that the evidence as against Waller and Balch was overwhelming, tie admitted that a more merciful view might be taken of the case of Noble, and they might find him guilty of manelaughter.—Mr. Thetupsou then addressed the jury on behalf of Waller. Ile admitted that Waller intended to rob deceased; but asked the jury to say that the deceased Mgt hie death by falling when in a state of intoxication, awl not by the violence of the rrtsouers.—Mr. Beard then addressed the jury ou behalf of Balch, setting up a similar conteution.-51r. Drake, on behalf of Noble, contented that the prosecution bad failed to establish a case either of murder or manslaughter against his client, and maintained hat Noble should have been tried, with Lee, for tho robbery alone.—His iLordship thou proceeded to suio up the whole case to the jury. tie paid they would hetes to consider three etiestions :—First, whether the deceased man rnet his death by violence; secondly, whether that violence was committed by the prisoners, or by one of them, and which of them; and thirdly, whether the homicide was committed by the prisoners, or any one of them, in snob a manner as to constitute th 3 crime of murder, or only the crime of manslaughter. the Lordship concluded his summing-up at 9.1:2, and the jury retired to consider their verdict. Shortly before ten o'clock the jury returned into court with a verdict of " Manslaughter " against the prisoners. His Lordship sentenced Waller and Balch each to i wenty years' penal servitude, and Noble to fourteen .; ears. Lee, who was charged with highway robbery, mos discharged.