The Northern Daily Times. — 1856-10-14 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

CHARGE OF MURDER.  COMMITTAL OF THE ACCUSED  Considerable excitement has been created in the town of Runcorn during the last ten days, in consequence of widespread rumours that a child, named Mary Brannan, the reputed daughter of Thomas and Margaret Brannan, who keep a rag and bone shop, in Nelson street, had come to its death by unfair means. An annoymous letter has been received by Mr. Blake, the chief constable, with reference to the subject ; in consequence of which, that officer proceeded to make some cautious enquiries. The result led to a communication with Mr. Nicholson, the coroner for this district of the county, who resides at Warrington ; but that gentleman, from some unexplained cause, was unable to attend at the enquiry, which has sub• sequently taken place. A clerk, however, arrived, without, as it has been stated to us, a sufficient authority to act as deputy coroner, and nothing definite was done until Tuesday last, when the inquest was formerly opened by Mr. W. H. Cobb, another clerk to the coroner, and, after two adjournments, the case was brought to a conclusion yesterday, about two o'clock. The evidence of various witnesses was taken in order to show that the deceased met her death through vitro' having been wilfully administered to her by some one, and upon this part of the case the following certificate was given : Royal Institution Laboratory, Liverpool, October 18th, 1856. I certify that I have made a careful chemical analysis of the stomach and intestines of the deceased infant, Mary 11.ennan, placed in my hands by Mr. H. Wibon, surgeon, of Runcorn, on the morning of Thursday, the ninth day of October, instant, and that the following is a true and faithful report of the same examination :—The assophagn and upper portion of the stomach is deeply furrowed by the action of a corrosive liquid, which has destroyed the mucous membrane, coroded the tissues, and dissolved, entirely, a portion of the stomach. A small portion at the lower end of the stomach has escaped contact, the mucous being preserved, upon applying certain tests there was a strong re-action digested with distilled water, and from which sulphuric acid was obtained.—J. BAKER EDWARDS, of Birkenhead, Ph. D., F.O S., lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence at the Royal Infirmary School, &c., &c., Liverpool. It is, however, only just to the accused parties to mention, that their) was no decided proofs offered that either, or any of them, had purchased the deadly drug above mentioned. It is also worthy of remark, that the parties now in custody the magistrates refused to allow to be brought up a second time, a course which certainly created some surprise. It has, however, been positively stated to our reporter that the deputy-coroner cautiwled the prisoners before the usual time arrived, and before any evidence whatever had been given in the case. Yesterday it was proved that the deceased, who had been a fine and healihy child, had died suddenly, and was buried in haste ; afttlr which the remains were exhumed. At the close of the case, the public, and reporters included, were desired to withdraw. We understand that the learned deputycoroner made but a very brief summing up, after which the jury remained near an hour in deliberation, but their verdict. was received in private, the reporters only being casually informed of it. What renders the proceedings more unjustifiable is—the deputy-coroner had promised to send for the reporters when the jury had agreed. The verdict was as follows murder against Thomas Brannan, Margaret Brannan, and Patrick Wain, who were then fully committed to take their trial at the next assizes at Chester, which, it is believed, will be held in December.