The Sun. — 1862-02-08 (London, England)

TILE MURDER IN MARY LEBONE.  Yesterday morning Mr. John Humphreys, acting for Mr. Wakley, commenced an inquiry at the Bedford Arms, South-street, Manchester-square, touching the death of Mr. John Wincott, lately carrying on business as a butcher in South-street. The case excited great interest in the neighbourhood, large groups being assembled in the street eager to hear what decision would be come to. Mr. Beard appeared on behalf of the widow of the deceased. Thomas Allison, brother-in-law of the deceased, identified the body, and stated that deceased was only 36 years of age. He knew nothing of the occurrence which led to his death. _ _  vv Joseph Phar, 30, South-street, assistant to Mr. Wincott, said—On Monday last I was in the shop, while a man named Byles was packing some hones in a cart outside. Four men were coming up the street, and went to a greengrocer's shop, where they broke and threw about some of the goods. They then came up to Byles's cart, when one of them stood on the wheel and upset a basket of bones into the road. The others threw the bones about, and Byles to defend himself struck one of them. They then pursued Byles into the shop, and Mr. Wincott came out to prevent them entering the premises. One of the men named Quail was the first to strike deceased, who in self-defence struck him again, when all the others struck Wincott. One of the men took up a chopper from the board and flourished it round his head, and he called out " Rip the --'s bowels open." The prisoner Quail took up a knife from the board, with which he stabbed Mr. Wincott in the abdomen. (The knife, a heavy butcher's implement, was produced and identified by the witness.) The stab was given upwards. Quail made then a second attempt to run the knife into deceased, but tho latter avoided the blow. The gang then went away, and I followed them into East-street, where I gave them into custody. They were apparently under the influence of liquor. There was only one other person in the shop besides myself and deceased when the gang entered, and we were unable to render any assistance.  By Mr. Beard—l do not know that Quail's mother had any quarrel about meat with the deceased. Could not identify the man who took up the chopper. Wm. Byles, Bower-road, Hackney-wick, corroborated the statement of the last witness. When the stab was inflicted, Quail said, "'Take that." By Mr. Beard—After Quail took up the knife, one of the men called out, " Give it to him." If deceased had not drawn back, the knife would have gone its whole length into him. Wm. Spinks, an assistant at a shop two doors from deceased's, saw the disturbance, and deposed that Quail was the first to get upon Byles' cart. When the men tried to get into Wincott's shop witness went to assist Wincott to keep them out, and took up a bone, with which he struck them. Wincott struck them with his fists, and witness suddenly heard him call out. He then saw Quail rushing at deceased with a large knife in his hand to give him a second stab. Denis Shea—On Monday last I was in Southstreet at half-past 4. I saw a disturbance at a bone cart, made by four men named Dublin, Walsh, Cox, and Poulton. I believe Dublin is also called Quail. When the latter stabbed deceased, he made another attempt, but I caught hold of his arm and wrenched the knife from him, and afterwards assisted to re move Wincott to the parlour. The four men were drunk, and they then went away when I took the knife away. The knife produced is the one I took from Quail.  After some further evidence of a similar character, Mr. Beard applied b the coroner for an adjournment for the purpose of having the four accused brought before the jury, so that the man who took up the chopper might be identified. The coroner said that it was very necessary to have the accused identified before the verdict was given, and he should therefore adjourn the inquiry after hearing the medical evidence as to the cause of death. Mr. Finn, surgeon, of 4, Fair-street, was then examined, and said that when he was • called in he ,found Mr. Wincott suffering from an ezt _ _ agave cut