The Sun. — 1858-07-12 (London, England)

THE DAGENHAM' MURDER.  On Saturday morning George 13lowitt, a farm labourer, was brought up for the third titne before a full bunch of magistrates, at the Court-house adjoining Ilford Gaol, Essex, charged with being concerned with several persons in the Murder of Geo. Clarke, a police constable of the K division, who was found lying dead and mutilated in a corn-field in the parish of Dagenham, on the evening of Friday, July 3, 1846.  Mr. 11:awlings, solicitor, of Ronaford, appeared for the prisoner.  Mr. Supeiilitendent Howie, of the K and Inspector Whieher, of the detective force, were in attendance on the part of the Metropolitan Police Commissioners.  The Chairman addressed Inspector Whicher, who had charge of the case since the prisoner's apprehension, and ssked him if he had been able to obtain any additional evidence iu con%exion with the murder ?  Inspector Whicber answered in the negative,. and said that be and other officers had been engaged, but they had not succeeded in getting any o• her testimony. The rumours that were in circulation last week were unfounded. If they had been true they would have been highly important in the case. The Chairman.—Then you have no other evidence to bring before the bench? Inspector Whicher.—No, excepting that this morning, just before I entered the court, the witness Smith said that she had someth;ng mom to say. I told Ler that she had bettor not tell me, but state what she had to say before the magistrates. The Chairman—ls the witness Smith here ? Inspector Whicher—Ye,,,, Sir. The woman Smith was here interrogated, and on being sworn was allowed a seat near the bench. The Chairman—What have you to say in addition to your lest statement? Witirs—l am certain that George Blewitt is the second man who struck the polic,t,rnin Clarke. The Chairman (to the chief clerk)—Then let the depositions be read over. The clerk having done so, the witness Smith said—l also saw Mrs. Blewitt and Henry Blewitt, the son, at the cottage on the night of the murder. I did not see Mrs. Blewitt afterwards. The chairma,,..._Wh-) is Henry Blewitt Mr. Rawliug,, the solicitor (to the prisoner)_ Henry Blewitt is your son 7 Prisoner—Yes, sir. Too chief clerk then inquired if there were any other questions to be asked of the witnesses; when Ins ector Whicher s girl there was one other question he wished to pit to the witness Archer, who made a statement on Monday week last that he saw the deceased (Clarke) late on the night of the murder pass his (Archer's) house, while at the inquest held upon the body of deceased he (Archer) had sta- el quite the contrary. Archer was recallol, and said he did see the deceased on the niriht in question. Inspector Whicher said—l apprehended the prisoner in the parish of Dagenham, Essex, on the 29th of June last, where I charged him with being concerned with other persons in the murder of George Clarke; when he replied, "I will go with you, f.,r I am quite sure that ;;he (Slrs. Smith) cannot say anything to hurt me."  Mr. iiawlings here rose, and wished to ask Mrs. Smith why she Ind not informed the Court before that Mrs. Blewitt and her son were present at the cottage on the night of the murder? Mrs. Satith, in reply, said—Because I had forgo'ten it.  The Chairman said, as they had no other evidence, he and his colleagues would retire, and after an absence of 20 minutes they returned info court. Upon resuming his seat the Chairman said—We have determined that this important and mysterious case, which has attracted so much, public notice, shall be submitted to another tribunal. The prisoner was then addressed by the Chairman, and cautioned in the usual form when he said, " I am not guilty of it." , After a few words from the Chairman, the prisoner was removed from the bar. The whole of the witnesses were then bound over to prosecute, and the trial was appointed to take place at the ensuing assizes at Chelmsford.