Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1890-10-03 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

THE MURDLR NRAR BIDALE : PRISONER BRFORE THR MAGISTRATES. —On Tuesday, at the Bedale Petty Sessions, Robert Hitching, market gardener, Leeming, was brought up in custody charged with the wilful murder of Acting-Sergeant James Weedy, stationed at Leeming, on the night of the 19th ult. The court was crowded. The prisoner seemed to take a deep interest in the proceedings, but did not appear moved. Mr. J. W. Teale, solicitor, Northallerton, appeared on behalf of the Public Prosecutor, and Mr. T. E. Jaynes, solicitor, of Darlington, for the prisoner. —Mr. Teale detailed the circumstances under which the murder was committed. Robert Lambert, labourer, of Leeming, gave evidence as to the prisoner threatening to blow deceased's brains out, when the latter requested him to take his horse and cart home on the night of the 19th at Lemming Bar. Sergeant Weedy said he did not want any nonsense, but if he did not go home he would be obliged to report him.— Edtnued Caygill, market gardener, Leeming Bridge, said that prisoner was his son-in-law, and on the 19th ult, he went to bed at eight o'clock, and shortly after 11-0 o'clock the prisoner came to his back door, and lie went to the window and said " Halloo, who's there?" anti he replied, " It's Robert Hitching." He said, "What do you want" Prisoner said "C me down and I'll tell you." He and his non John then went downstairs and opened the back door, and Hitching came in and said he had done for the —, or winiething like that. After dressing he and his son and primmer set off in search of prisoner's wife to prisoner's house, where a candle was lighted. After coming out of the house prisoner pointed to where deceased was lying and said, "He is laid yonder." Witness went and saw the body, and prisoner and his son coming up he said, "He's here, John," and then he said, "I'm going home." They all then went home through the big gate.— John Caygill, groom, employed at Aiskew Hall, said he went to bed stout 9-30 on the 19th ult., and was aroused at about 11-10 p.m. under the circumstances detailed by his father, liCitching said he had "done for" or "shot Weedy." When he was searching for prisoner's wife he picked up a piece of brown paper containing caps, which he placed in his pocket. He went near enough the body to see who it was, and prisoner said, "I will put it on to the road through the gate." Witness replied, "Leave him alone and let's go honte." Prisoner then asked hint to give him a lift, for if he trailed him it would leave a mark, and people could see he had been removed. The body was lying partly on its left side and partly looking to the ground. Hitching took hold of deceased by the shoulders and below the knees, and put it on the grass outside tbe gate, in the same position in which they found him.—By Mr. Jaynes: Prisoner did not tell him how it happened, and he did not inquire, but prisoner said it was a bad job, and he seemed troubled about it.—Evidence was then given as to the fiuding of the body, and Inspector Holmes, of Bedale, deposed to finding the gun produced in the beck, about 85 yards from Leeming Mill. -- Police-constable Janice Nixon spoke to arresting prisoner in Richmond market, when, in reply to the , charge, he said, "Whist, me? What, me' They cannot blame me."—This closed the case for the pre- 1 secution. Mr. Jaynes then reserved prisoner's defence; and after the evidence had been read over to the witnesses, Hitching was committed for trial at the next York Assizes, and was eonvieyed back to Northallertun Gaol.  How,