The Express. — 1867-06-10 (London, England)

THE ALLEGED MURDER AT BATTERSEA.  INQUEST.-(THIS DAY.)  This morning, at half-past 10 o'clock, Mr. Wm. Carter, the Surrey coroner, resumed an investigation at the Duke of Clarence Tavern, Penton-place, Walworth, respecting the alleged murder of Thomas Falkner, aged 23 years. . .  Police-constable Drew, ZIO W, proved that on lest Saturday evening week he was informed that the deceased had been found lying in an insensible state on the footpath outside Dr. Lesley's ►urgery, in the Queen's-road, Battersea-park. He was rewoved to St. Thoinas's Hospital, where he expired. Dr. Daniel Lesley said that his attention was called to the deceased by two strange men, who said that they " discovered him accidentally." He was in strong convulsions. _ _  George Faulkner, 63, Arthur-street, Battersea-park, said that the deceased was his brother. He had been potman at the Eagle Tavern, Battersea-park. Witness had heard that on the night in question he had been pushed out of the Eagle by a barman. The man gave him a blow on the back. The deceased then reeled across the pavement up against the wall of • house, and putting his hands to the back of his head, cried out, " Oh, oh." He died on Monday.  Mr. Hunter, the landlord of the Eagle, said that he believed that the deceased died from violence, bdt he was of opinion that he had received his fatal injuries a week before the time alluded to. He had made a statement which showed that while he was walking along the road one night be had been knocked down and kicked on the head. Dr. Lees deposed that a post-mortem examination of the deceased's body shows that there was a fracture at the Mum of the skull towards the right side. There was a wound over the right ear. The injuries were very serious, and they could not possibly have been caused a week before death. Such injuries might be caused by either • blow or a fall. They were the cause of death. Convulsions do follow suoh injuries to the brain. Stephen Sandal', a lath-nailer, said that he knew the deceased. On last Saturday night week he was pushed nut of the Eagle, Battersea-park, by a potman. He appeared to be in pain, and said, "Oh." He placed his hand to his heed. The occurrence took place between 9 and 10 o'clock. Witness did not see him fall. He leant up against a door, but his head did not strike against any..  Helen Levett, the wife of a labourer, living at 3, Palmerston-terrace, Batteraea-park, said that between 12 and o'clock on the night in question ehe saw the deceased talking to a stout man outside the door of the Eagle. The house was then cloned and the lamps were out. Witness heard something about M. The deceased said that he was abort in his accounts. He was talking very loud. He was in the habit of having quarrels. Witness walked away and returned in twenty minutes. She then saw the deceased lying on the door-step. No one was there with him. Witness then spoke to him. She said, " What is the matter, Punch Why are you lying there!—get up." He replied, "My head. Go away and let me alone." Witness then left him lying on the pavement. He had no home. He was very ill and he appeared hardly able to speak. He used to sleep in a stable. Witness used to see men illtreating him. After hearing other evidetee, The jury returned a verdict " That the deceased expired from fracture of the skull, but how or under what circumstances be received the said fracture there was not sufficient evidence to prove." The coroner said that the police could, if they discovered any parties who had injured the deceased, arrest them and take them before the magistrate. It frequently occurred that the guilty parties were not found out for some months after the fatal event.