The Sun. — 1858-08-23 (London, England)

MURDER.—At the Reading police-court, en Friday, Mary Newell was placed at the bar, charged with the wilful murder of her infant on the 9th August by drowning it in the Thames in the King's Meadow. The unfortunate woman came into court weeping and looking very pale. She was accommodated with a seat near the dock, and, although she exhibited little outward emotion, yet it was evident from her appearance that she felt acutely the serious position in which she was placed. A great crowd had assembled outside the police-court, while a number of persons were present during the examination, all of whom seemed to compassionate the unhappy prisoner, the general impression being that she had been driven to desperation, and had committed the act from the heartless treatment she had received. The evidence as given at the inquest was read over to the several witnesses and confirmed, the prisoner declining to ask any glesions of either of them. The usual caution having been given to the prisoner, she made the following statement :—I have known William Francis these six years, and have been in service ever since I knew him. I left Mr. Ice's last Augest, and came to Reading to seek for another situation, and going home I met with him in the street. lie, knowing me, asked me how I was, and if I would go and have something to drink. I refused, but by being persuaded I went, and was in his company some hours. He asked me if I was engaged, for he wanted a wife, but he did not want to marry yet. He said his sister was keeping his house. When we parted he did not ask me my address, or where I was going, nor anything, and I thought he did not care anything about me, only far his own ends. I had a situation, and I went to it. I stayed too tnonths and a fortnight, but I was so unwell I was obliged to leave. I came home end stayed with my mother until I got Weir. Then I came to Reading and told him how I was, and asked him what I was to do. He knew that I was is trouble by him. He said he did not know what I was to de, for he was engaged. He could not have me, but he would keep the child. I said " Why not have me as well as any one else ?" as he knew that I was in trouble by him. After that I went to the union. There I stayed until the 9:11 August. I came out with the intention of going to Shepherds' Green, but I altered my mind, and came to Reading, and got to Reading about half-past seven. Ile was not in the shop when I went there. His sister and some one else were picking fowls. I asked her where her brother was. She said lie would be in in a few minutes. He came in. I asked Ilan what he thought of the baby. I told him I waet,el wytneuultd out tt with he some money. I asked him what he intended to do, and wbat I was to do. He said he did not care what the person who -was picking the fowls. His sister said it was elf] ydtiltili rig! 111 iHeg ht putd. do as his liked --aIL no use for roe to wait, for he might not be hsme until : le or 12, and being destitute of a farthing, I walked about to see if 1 could see anything of him. I saw no tidings of him. The temptation was very great to lead me t- do what. I did. He so frowned en me nod the dear baby—which he knew was his—it drove me to do what I never thought of before. I went on the road for home, and went inside a field and sat under a hedge till morning, and on Tuesday I went home. Mother asked me what I had done with it—where the baby was. I said I couldn't tell her. I then told her I hrd put It out. The mayor, addressing the prisoner, said : You are committed to the county gaol to take your trial at the ensuing assizes.