The Sun. — 1844-06-06 (London, England)

THE SUPPOSED MURDER AT WIMBLEDON.  On Tuesday night information was brought to Great Scotland-yard, that Charles Hall, the plasterer, of Wim• bledon, who is suspected of having murdered his %%ire, by smothering her with a pillow, had been apprehended near Sevenoaks, been examined on that day before a county magistrate, and remanded. The following facts relating to the apprehension of the accused have been obtained from the most authentic source:— On Monday afternoon, about three o'clock, a man answering the description of Charles Hall, who is supposed to have murdered his wife at Wimbledon, and who afterwards absconded, went into the tap-room of the Polhill Arms, New-road, Shoreham, which is about three miles from Sevenoaks, in Kent ; he sat down and had some beer. It was generally remarked by the company that he appeared very depressed in spirits, and the landlord (Mr. Vine) asked him what was the matter with him. He said he was in great trouble. The landlord asked him on what account ? and he replied through finding his wife dead in bed on Wednesday morning last, and that he had not heard of her since. He then admitted that he was the man who had absconded from Wimbledon, and stated that his wife was drunk on Monday night, and they quarrelled ; that on Tuesday night when he went home they fell out, and she pitched in to him, and swore she would murder him ; to save himself from her violence, he put his hand to the side of her neck and pushed her. He then went to sleep, and when he awoke in the morning he turned round to kiss her, and found that she was dead. Hall concluded his statement by saying that he loved his wife as well as a man ought. Mr. Vine took every precaution to prevent the man escaping, and then went to the constable of Shoreham, to whom he communicated the above particulars. The constable proceeded to Mr. Atkins, a county magistrate, residing in the neighbourhood, an d that gentleman went direct to the Polhill Arms, and had an interview with Hall, who, in answer to some questions put to him, observed he had nothing more to say upon the subject. Mr. Atkins then ordered Hall to be apprehended, and given into the custody of the superintendent of police at Sevenoaks, and he was accordingly conveyed to that town, and confined in its lock up. On Tuesday morning, at ten o'clock, the prisoner was taken to the office of Messrs. Austin and Holcroft, the clerks to the magistrates, and placed at the bar before Mr. Atkins, charged upon suspicion of having murdered Charlotte Hall, at Wimbledon, in Surrey. Mr. Vine, the landlord of the Polhill Arms, and his ostler, deposed to the facts above mentioned, after which— Mr. Atkins, addressing the prisoner, said, " Have you anything to say respecting the evidence these witnesses have given ?" The prisoner answered, " No, I've nothing to say more than I've nothing to do with it more than anybody in the world. Besides, it is all settled—the Coroner's jury brought in a verdict Died from natural causes ;' therefore, what have I to do with it." The prisoner, who, throughout the examination, was very restless, and continued plucking the beaver from his hat, was then removed to the lock-up.