The Sun. — 1858-04-12 (London, England)

LAI~D.  THE MURDER AT PORTSMOUTH.  APPREHENSION AND EXAMINATION OF TEIE BROTHER OF THE MURDERED MAN. PORTSMOUTH, SATURDAY, APRIL le. This day at three o'clock in the afternoon, being fixed for the examination of Edwin .Hart, the brother of the unfortunate man, Daniel Hart, who was most mysteriously murdered on the night of Saturday, the 13th of March, the entrance to the gaol in Penny-street, which is also used before the police office, was crowded by persons long the stated hour, who were anxious to obtain admission to be present at the proceedings. Hitherto this murder h been completely shrouded in mystery, inasmuch as no object for the commission of the street could be assigned, being perpetrated at the door of the house ;n the presence of a witness, and no attempt at roZ.lbery appeared to have been made. The coroner's investigation tended to throw but little light on lthe traa2saction, except so far as was obtained from Mrs- Ilia:, the keeper of the house where tin deceased lodged as to a description of the person of the man who committed the murder, and that he was dressed in a Macintosh coat, and wore a glazed bat. On Thur.EAsy last Mr. Superintendent Leg' Batt, of the Portsinouth Borough Police, received ..etain information which has led to the appreheocion of the prisoner on suspicion of the murder, tio other than the brother of the murdered being man. eomewhAt remarkable fact that the It is Admiralty coroner, prisoner is a clerk, and was employed in the office of Mr. Swainson, the in High street, Portsmouth, dna that gentleman professionally attended the dOroner's inquiry as to the death of Hart, to watch the case on behalf of the relatives of the deceased. The peculiar circumstances of the case and the person now charged with the commission of this foul deed, have led to an excitement almost without a precedent in this town and neighbourhood. The Mayor presided, and the bench was filled by magistrates, amongst whom were the ex-Mayor, Mr. A. Nance, and Mr. W. B. Carter. Mr. R. W. Ford, solicitor, appeared for the prosecution ; Mr. Field, of Gosport, for the prisoner. Mr. Ford briefly stated the case which tie should have to lay before the court against the prisoner at the bar, and said that it was one of vast importance, not only as regarding the public, but as to its deep and serious consideration towards the prisoner, and most sincerely did he (Mr. Ford) wish that he might be able to give an answer that would be satisfactory to the evidence that he should have to adduce. It would appear that on Thursday last the superintendent of police (Mr. Leggatt) received E. communication, and in consequence of he waited upon the prisoner, and having put some questions to him, his answers were so unsatisfactory that he felt it to be his duty to take him into custody on suspicion of having murdered his brother, and subsequent inquiries led to the discovery of other circumstances, which would be dttailed to the bench. Mr. Superintendent Logga.tt was then called. Mr. Ford—You are superintendent of the police of this borough ? Mr. Leggatt—l am. Mr. Ford—l believe your attentio been n has e called to the circumstances attending a murder cmmitted in this town on Saturday night, the 13th of March 3 Mr. Leggatt—yes, myattention has been drawn to that unhappy event, and I have for some time been engaged xn endeavouring to trace the mur ----, 041-7ORDAT