The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1865-07-22 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE SHIRLEY MURDER.  At Winchester, George Broomfield has been indicted for the wilful murderof Caroline Sophia Colborne, at ;Shirley, on the 3rd of December, ISc4. The prisoner was placed In a chair, and appeared to be in a most scakly state. The Judge sent for the surgeon of the gaol awl asked him if he thought the prisoner sufficiently strong to take his trial The surgeon having expressed an opinion that he was, he was called upon to plead. hut the only answer he Rave was, "I wish to die" The Judge then directed a plea of "Not Guilty" to be recorded. Mr. Bare then opened the case on the part of the prosecution. The prisoner was charged with the wilful murder of Caroline Sophia Colborne at Shirley on the 3rd of December, 1864. The facts of the ease were these :  The _prisoner was 47 years of age; he had been roamed six or seven years, and had been in the service of several gentlemen. In October, 1862, he entered the servicoof Miss Onslow, at Alresford, and remained there until March, 1864. The unfortunate deceased WM also living in the service of Miss Onslow as lady's. maid. .She was a person of attractive face and form, of modest and pleasant demeanour. It would seem that unfortunately she attracted the prisoner, and he fell in love with her and paid his addresses to her She however did not encourage the prisoner, although he still persisted in pressing his addresses upon her. In ' consequence of his importunities she left Miss Onslow'm service and went to her parent's house at Shirley. She was at the time engageif to be married, and afterwards did marry Colborne, and they lived at Shirley. On the 3rd of December last the prisoner was seen at Shirley. He went to the hotel there, had some brandy and water and got change for half-a-sovereign ; lie inquired if a Miss Wing (the maiden name of the deceased) lived there, and eventually be was directed to Colborne's house. He left the hotel, and the husband of the deceased happening to call there, was told that a person had been inquiring for his wife; he at once proceeded to his hoi we an d found his wif e and the prisoner sitting in a room. The deceased introduced the prisoner to her husband, and some conversation took place. After some time the prisoner asked "Carry" to give him a cup of tea; he daid he was goin, to America. Colborne offered the prisoner all the hospitaiity his house afforded. Colborne left the house for about half an hour, on his return he found his wife seated at th, table writing a letter. She told her husband Mr. Broomfield would like some brandy, and he went out and procured some, being absent about 10 minutes. When he came back he fonnd the prisoner folding up is letter. The prisoner then said he was going to America to join the army, either the Federal or Confederate. Colborne said he was not quite sure who was right or wrong. Colborne asked the prisoner if he would like to join him in a pipe, and they smoked together. Mrs. Colborne went out for some domestic purposes, but was afraid to go out by herself, and her husband and her niother went i t with her, leaving the prisoner sitting by the fire. They returned in about three-quartersof an hour. The Fusband then went out to get some potatoes, and he was al-rent about ten minutes, and during that time the fatal eNe, t which they had now to inquire into took place. Wks' happened between the prisoner and the deceased no one could tell, but it was clear that the prisoner caused the death of the unfortunate woman by shooting her with ft pistol. A Mrs. Harris, who lived next door, was alarmed at hearing a noise like a cracker, followed by a fearful scream, and she went out and saw Mrs. Colborne lying by the door. She raised her up, but  found she NVLA dead.