The Sun. — 1864-08-26 (London, England)

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.  ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A WIFE THROUGH JEALOUSY, —John Williams, a saddler, residing at No. 20, Brewerstreet, Golden-square, was charged before Mr Knox, by Inspector Wilson of the C Division, with feloniously cutting and wounding his wife, Annie Williams, with intent to murder her.  William Conquest, 169 C, deposed—While in Leicestersquare last night about half-past 10 o'clock I saw the prisoner and a female (the prisoner's wife) standing together near the Alhambra Palace. When I approached within a dozen yards of them I saw the prisoner go close up to the female and place his hand on her throat, as if shaking her. Before I got close up the female extricated herself from the prisoner's grisp, and ran into the Sab:oniere Hotel. The prisoner ran after her, and caught her by the shawl just as she was in the doorway, and the shawl came off. I then followed the female into the hotel, and found that she had been stubbed in the neck. I then went into the smoking room of the hotel and took the prisoner, who had walked into the room, into custody. On the way to the station the prisoner said, " I am glad I have done it, and shall now die happy."  kr Knox—Was the prisoner in liquor ? Conquest—He was not—he was quite sober. Mr linox,— Was any knife found upon him at the station? Conquest—Fart of the blade of a knife or instrument was found on the pavement, about two yards from the entrance of the Babloniere Hotel, by a young wan, and handed to me.  Mr Eau—Then you believe she was stabbed about that spot?  Conquest—l do, when the prisoner put his hands to the female's throat. On searching him at the station in Vinestreet, a ticket and a few other articles were found upon him. He there said that ho had had only one instrument upon him. Mr Knox—Did he say why he had done it ? Conquest—He did not. Mr Knox—On what part of the throat is the wound ? Conquest—On the left side (near the jugular vein). Mr Knox—What became of the female ? Conquest—After the wound was dressed she was taken home in a cab.  Inspector Wilson, C Division, said, last night about halfpast 10, I was in the reserve room at the Vine-street Police station. I saw the prisoner holding up a locket (containing a portrait of the prisoner, and having some blood upon it). The prisoner exclaimed, " This is my portrait—the portrait of a man who has out his wife's throat. Sce the blood on my hand ; I hope she is dead." There was blood at the time on the prisoner's hand. Sergeant Lees, 9 C, said, last night I went into the Sabloniere Hotel, in consequence of information given me. I there saw a female lying on a sofa. She had a wound on the left side of her neck. Shortly after a medical man attended and partly dressed the wound, but subsequently the female's father, Nr Cutcliffe, a surgeon, residing at  10, King-street, Soho, attended and concluded the dressing, and then removed his daughter in a cab. This morning I found about 50 yards from the Sabloniere Hotel the handle of a knife or instrument with the piece of blade corresponding with the other piece in it. It was on the ground over which the prisoner passed on his way to the Vine-street station.  Inspector Wilson handed to the magistrate the following certificate :  " I hereby certify that Mrs Annie William 3 is incapable of leaving her bed to attend the police-court, in consequence of an incised wound in the throat, inflicted by her husband, John Williams, last night.  " C. CUTCLIFFE, Surgeon, 10, King-street, Soho."  Mr Knox remanded the prisoner.for aweek.  The prisoner, who had put no questions to any of the witnesses, made a remark on his being taken to the cells, which leaves little doubt that jealousy prompted him to attempt to take his wife's life.