Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1879-03-22 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

EXTRAORDINARY MURDER AT ANTWERP. An extraordinary murder, which was committed • some weeks ago at Antwerp, has been occupying a good deal of attention. The neighbours of an old lady, who lived alone, heard plaintive cries proceeding • from her house, and, on the police effecting an en-., trance, her lifeless' body wad seen at the foot of the • staircase, while in the !lifting nom was her grandson, Jphn Retain, a rather dissipated young man, lying bound With cords, weeping mid moaning. On releasing him, he stated that he had been with his grandmother, who had left the room tO go up-stairs, and during her absence two men h.ad appeared sad denly, and; seizing him from behind, had placed him hi ' the' helpless state .in which he was found., The police having put the cords, it became impossible to ascertain whether they may not have been tied by Retain himself, against whom there are strong suspicions. No motive can, however, be assigned for on atrocious a crime except his well-known impecuniosity, coupled with extravagant tastes; but as the old lady, with whom he was a great favourite, frequently supplied him with money, to have murdered her would seem an unnecessary act of cruelty isnd ingratitude. While Retain was detained in prison, , another charge waa brought against him, that Of having stolen to years ago a watehand chain beltinging to one of his friends fnom the dressing-room of the rowing club to which they both belonged. The Public Prosecutor took it for granted that he was guilty, and proceeded against liiim with such an evident bias that public opinion veensil round in his favour. The watch which time friend recognised as his own was found in the possession of 'a watchtnaker, whose book showed that R,etsin had sold it to him. but he stated in evidence that before making the purchase he had been authorised to do so by Retain's grandinother. She, it appears, was in the habit of buying watches out of pawn and selling them, and if this is really the identical watch in question, it may have been pawned by the thief, sad afterwards sold to thnold lady. The number of the watch does not, howeier, agree with that mentioned by its alleged former owner. There was thus no positive proof against Retain, and, considering the serious accusation hanging over his head, he might have had the benefit of the doubt; but the judge of the Correctional , Tribunal pronounced him guilty, and the sentence has been confirmed by the Court of Apptal ; it is new being referred to the tour de Caseation. The opinion . seems to be that a man who is charged with the murder ; of his grandmother could steal a watch; and, on the , other band, that he who could steal a watch was ; capable of murdering his grandmother. Retain is not an attractive young man, and any interest felt in him , is dye solely to the circumstance of his having been t apparently harshly dealt with.  county,  he feund Wiltshire people extremely terromed to act a pact and -take "Oome Lord Analog over theg empty stomach and a low pocket,and, to little performaneee in public-hothies way to London to amuse the company, said there was no charge against- him supported on committal, and diseha warning not to repeat the performs, should prove to him the reverse of '  ove, ,unsb jlot Je fee, Po * 0911 be