The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1883-10-06 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE CHARGE OF MURDER AT BALHAM.  On Friday evening in last week, Mr. Wyatt, coroner for the district of Camberwell and Streatham, held an ir.quiry at Balham respecting the death of Mr. John llimery Bruton, aged 25, lately residing with his parents at The Myrtles, Lower Balham-road, who met with his death on the morning of the previous day at the hands of Harry Powell, who now stands charged with the murder of the deceased. Mr. John Henry Bruton said he was a stone mer chant and builder, and resided at The Myrtles, Lower Balham-road. The deceased was his son and unmarried. He resided at home and assisted witness in his business, and at the time of his death was acting as manager of some building works going on in the Ormley-road. Witness last saw him alive on Thurs. day morning at twenty minutes peat eight. He was then at home and in good health. Witness knew a young man named Harry Powell, and about three months ago entered into an agreement with him to do certain work at the buildings in the Ormley-road. Powell neglected to fulfil his part of the contract in a proper manner, and witness gave him notice that unless he did BO he (the witness) would have to gat some one else to do the work. On last Monday witness engaged some one else, and the deceased was to have met the new man on Thursday morning at the works. Powell had overdrawn his account. The chisel pro. duced (a heavy, cold steel, stonemason's chisel) Powell had no occasion to carry about with him. William Arthur Butcher, an errand.boy, deposed that last Thursday morning, about half-past nine o'clock, he was delivering oil in the Ormley•road, when, on passing some buildings now in the course of erection, he saw Powell striking Mr. Bruton, who was on his back on the ground with a steel chisel or small crowbar, on the head. Immediately after two of the workmen came up.  Charles Frederick Onsman said he was a carpenter and joiner, and resided at Elma•place, Garrett-lane, Wandsworth, He was in the employ of Mr. Bruton at the works in Ormley-road. Witness knew Powell by eight. On Thursday morning Mr. Bruton, junior, arrived at the works about half-past nine, and witness saw him speaking to Powell. Shortly after, in consequence of what a man named West told him, he went to the front of the buildings and found the deceased on the ground in a pool of blood; his head was battered in, and he was quite motionless. Powell was standing close to the body, and said (addressing witness) "I have done it now." Witness said " What?" Powell replied, " I have settled him," Witness then requested Powell to walk to the main road, which he readily did, and on arriving at the Balham Court tavern they met a policeman, and Powell gave himself up. By the Coroner,—l am aware that there was a dispute between the deceased and Powell as to money affairs, but do not know the nature of the dispute.  • Police-constable Part, 259 W, stated that last Thursday morning he was on duty outside the Balbam Court tavern when Powell, accompanied by tbe last w'tnees, came to him and said he bad murdered and wished to give himself up. Witness asked him whether it really was so. Powell replied, " Yes ; come and see." Witness then accompanied him to Ormley-road and found the deceased lying on the ground in a pool of blood, Witness then sent for Dr. Godfrey and took Powell into custody. Powell, in answer to witness, pointed out a steel chisel, which he said he had done it with, and witness took charge of it Mr. Benjamin George Godfrey, surgeon, in practice at Balbam, deposed that last Thursday morning, shortly before ten o'clock, be was called to Ormleyroad, where he found the deceased on the ground in a pool of blood, with his head battered in and his brains protruding. Witness examined him, and found he was quite dead. The chisel produced would cause the injured condition of the head. The Coroner, in addressing the jury, remarked on the shocking nature of the inquiry, and informed them that there was only one verdict which they could possibly return, and that was one of wilful murder against Powell. The court-room was then cleared, and the jury, after deliberating for about three minutes, returned a verdict of "Wilful murder" against Harry Powell.