Widnes Examiner. — 1909-04-10 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

CASE DISMISSED.  At the Borough Police Court before Mr. 11. Roberts (Chairman end other magistrates), on Tuesday, Beatrice Betley (19), a single woman,4l, Parr-street, was charged with the wilful murder of her child on FebruarylSth.— Mr. F. G. Frayling prscee3nted on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions,and MrsT.S.Steel,defended.—Mr. Fr-ruling stated that an ierqusst ,sas.held en the body of the child, but the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," not knoe lag how' the injuries, which consisted of a wound so the right eye, fracture of the skull, and scratches on the breast, shoulder and cheek were caused. On the morning of the 16th of February, the prisoner did not go to work and about dinner time her mother had occasion to go out for a few minutes. On arriving back she was suddenly called upstairs by the prisoner and told to look iri the front room where she would find a baby. The mother did so and found a child lying by the fenfler, with a skirt thrown over it. The strange part of the case was -that althopgh the girl was residing with her mother in-Parrstreet until Fequary 15th and the moth-:r swore that she did not kiviw of her daughter's condition. The ' prisoner used some serious threats both to herself and the child. When charged the prisoner made no reply.-A mass of evidence sir-railer to that tendered at the inquest was then heard.—Ellen Hunter, midwife, Mersey-street, stated thst she was called to the prisonsr. When she picked up the child it began to cry, and prisoner said Put your hand over its mouth or my dadda will hear it." She also said " Give it to rue and I will throw it out of the wineow." The child was suffering from the injuries as described.—ln answer to Mr. Steel, witness said prisoner did net appear to be in a frenzy when she seoke.—Mr. Steel (to witness) : Did you tell Sergeant Stuart thst the prisoner looked wild when you visited her the first. day ?—Witness: I cannot tell you.—Mr. Steel : Did you tell him that the girl appeared to he out of her right mind ?—I cannot tell you.—Did you tell the Coroner that ?—She 'MIS wild in her tilk.—You were under the impression that she was out of her mind ?—Wou are trying to make me tell filet of lies.—Did you not tell the coroner that she talked in a crazy way ?—Yes.—Do you attach an importance to the girl's statement as .to her wanting to throw the child out of the window ?—No.—Dr. Manson described the child's injuries and stated that in his opinion the cause of death was a fracture of the skull. He did not think the injuries could have been caused accidentally; he consider..rd violence must have been used. The injuries were very extensive and the force applied must have been great.—ln answer to Mr. Steel witncss said he was of opinion that prisoner had had an epileptic fit before he reached the house, and it was probable that she did no know what she was doing or saying. Witeess thought the girl had been in a frenzied state since the child was born, and would have no recollection of what took place.—The Bench then discussed the matter "in private, and on their return the Chairman said there wftS not sufficient evidence to justify them to convict the girl on such a serious charge.—Mr.Steel : therefore apply to you for her discharge.—The Chairman: Yes, she is discharged.