Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1886-02-06 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SINGULAR CONFESSION OF  MURDER.  On Monday afternoon, before Mr D'Eyncourt, at the Westminster Police Court Emma Morris (29), s well-dressed young woman, who seemed very vintage in her demeanour, and gave an address at Eaton-place,, Pimlico, was charged an remand with stealing s. pair of hoots in Ebarystreet, Pimlico, on the afternoon of the 24th ult. There were three other charges of stealing boots and umbrellas now gone into, and evidence having been given in support of them, Emma Spencer, wardress at Milbank Prison, said the prisoner was convicted of three charges of larceny at the Middlesex Sessions in 1684, and sentenced to fifteen months' imprisonment. She was released after serving twelve months, in conaequence of ill-health. —Mr D'Eyncourt, having administered the usual caution, asked prisoner what she had to say to the charge.—Prisoner (in an excited manner) : You have not found out the worst charge of all, now.—Mr D'Eyncourt: What do you say f—Prisoner (who seemed very impatient and uneasy in her manner) : You haven't found Ithe worst charge of all, now. If you go to Belmont, Lansdowne-road, Tottenham, where my cousin hats, you will find that I have poisoned his child, and thrown the body in the canal at Tottenham. (Sensation in Court.)—Mr D'Eyncourt What does " Belmont " mean? What is it f—Prisoner That is the name of the house where my cousin, James Bevan, Esq, lives. I have murdered his child, and I threw the body into the canal.— Mr D'Eynoourt: Yes; we will see into that presently; but what have you to say in answer to the charge? There are new three separate charges against you. What have you to say in answer to them f—Prisoner (after some hesitation): I don't wish to say anything, only this—l have got £15.000 left to me, but the money is in the Court of Chancery. It has been there for fifty years, and I cannot get it because one regicter of the birth or death of somebody is muicing.—Mr D'Eyncourt That may be; but what have you-to say in answer to the charges against you P—The prisoner: Haven't I told you I've got nothing to say. I'll do it again directly I come out of prison. As soon as I am discharged I'll do it again. I don't remember anything about the boots, and I don't care, either, anything about it. —Mr D'Eyncourt What is your answer P—Prisoner I say I will do just whatever I think I will until they give me my money. What do they want it for? Don't you call that robbery? because I do. What right have they to keep my money from me, just because one register is missing ?—Mr Richards (the Assistant (Aerk) then proceeded to read over the depositions, when he was interrupted by the prisoner, who shouted in a passionate tone, "How many more times are yougoing to read that over ?"—Mr Richards: Wait a moment, please. —Prisoner (excitedly): I shan't. That's about the third time you've read it —Mr D'Eyncourt Where is your money 7—Prisoner (shouting) : In Chancery. lam entitled to it, and I can't get it. (After a pause) My grandmother died in the Abergavenny mad-house, and my money went into Chancery in consequence.—Mr Richards having finished reading the depositions, Mr D'Eyneourt again asked the prisoner whether she had anything to say.—Prisoner (stamping her foot on the floor of the dock): No, nothing, I've nothing to say; so please let me go out of this place.—Mr D'Eyncourt then committed the prisoner to the Sessions for triaL—Prisoner, upon hearing the result, walked hurriedly out of the dock.