Middlesbrough & Stockton Gazette and General Advertiser. — 1871-12-14 (Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, England)

ALLEOED WILFUL MURDER AT WEST HARTLEPOOL. Ann Nicholls, 30, wife of Richard Nicholls, was charged with the wilful murder of her infant son, Tu. Nicholls, Belle Vue, near West Hartlepool, on the 'l7th July. Mr Skidmore prosecuted; Mr Campbell . Foster defended. The following evidence was given , on the part of the prosecution: Sarah Ann Domaine, wife of Edward Domaine, ironworker, West Hartlepool, said she was a neighbour of the Nicholls' family, and on the 17th of July last Mr Nicholls came to her in an excited state. In consequence of what Mr Nicholls said, witness went with him to his house, in company also with a Mrs Broadbent, and a Mrs Morrissey. On going into the house, witness saw Mrs Nicholls sitting on the bedside in her bedroom. Mrs Nicholls was crying. Witness asked her what was the matter with her. Prisoner replied, " Nothing is the matter with me, but I have killed the baby." Witness asked prisoner where the baby was, and the reply was 'ln the back room." Witness then went into the back room, and there saw the babk lying in the bed quite dead. The baby was undressed, but with a nightgown flung over the body. The child's mouth, neck, and hands were black. A hole was burnt in the pillow on which the child was lying. On witness returning to the room where Mrs Nicholls was sitting, she asked her if the poison in the bottle had been given to the baby by mistake. Mrs Niebolls replied, "I gave the right bottle; but do not know what made me do it." Prisoner was crying very much, and said she wished she could bring the baby back again. Did not hear prisoner say anything about the other children. Had previously heard prisoner complain of being low-spirited. Prisoner had always appeared fond of her children. The prisoner had been suckling the child.—Joseph Niebolls said he was brother-in-law to the prisoner, and lodged in the hoase on the 17th of July last. His brother had kept chemicals about his house for some. time past, for the purpose of studying chemistry. Witness had seen the bottles produced lying in an outhouse on his brothers premises. Did not think that the outhouse was locked. After witness had seen the dead child he asked her why she had killed it. Prisoner replied, putting her hand to her brow, " I do not know, Joe ; I do not seem to have been in my right senses till now." She had appeared very dejected during the previous fortnight.--P.C. Charlie Scott produced a bottle of sulphuric acid, which he had found on the premises occupied by the prisoner, and deposed to apprehending her. In answer to a question put by his Lordship, witness said he had been unable to find Mrs Broadbent, a most important witness in the case, as she had been one of the first persons who had entered the house after the death of the child.—His Lordship said the trial ought to have been postponed, in consequence of the absence of Mrs Broadbent.—P.C. Scott said Mrs Broadbent had removed from West Hartlepool, and all inquiry had failed to discover where she had gone to.—The prisoner was acquitted on the ground of insanity, and she was ordered to be detained during Her Majesty's pleasure.