The Sun. — 1852-01-13 (London, England)

THE BANBURY MURDER.  This atrocious crime has caused an intense excitement here, for, in addition to the peculiar circumstances of the act itself., the deceased was highly respected in the town and neighbourhood. During the whole of Sunday the scene of the catastrophe was visited by continuous crowds of the curious.  Yesterday, at twelve o'clock, an inquest was held at the Crown public house, Wilscot, by John Churchill, E-q., of Deddington, coroner for North Oxfordshire. A most respectable jury having been sworn to make inquiry touching the death of Giovanni Kalabergo, they proceeded to an out-house, where the body of the deceased bad been conveyed, and where a post mortem examination of the head had been made by Mr. Thomas Harris, surgeon, of Wardington. Two shots had taken effect, one entering the frontal bone, and the other at the back of the head, which last caused instantaneous death. The following witnesses were then called:— Jane Sawell, who had known the deceased for 40 years, was coming from Banbury on Saturday about half-past five in the evening, in the van of John Ward. She got out to walk up Wilscot-hill, and, about half-way up, saw something lying on the road which ahe thought to be a coat; but, taking hold of it, found it to be a dead man. The fingers were then cold, but the body was warm. By the light of a lantern she recognised the deceased to be Giovanni Kalabergo. Previous to this sho met a cart which she knew to belong to the deceased. It was empty and unattended. A baker's cart was a short distance in advance of this vehicle. Met no one on the road. There was a pool of blood near the body. She saw no weapon. James Ward, the carrier, corroborated the evidence of the first witness, and a person, named Ryrie, went to Wilscot for a cart, which being provided the body was removed to the village. Another hat, besides that belonging to the deceased, having been found, witness went in search of another man along the road, but nothing was seen. Did not meet anybody walking on the road before the baker's cart before mentioned, nor after that until the body was found. The ground was hard and there was a little snow, but it was too dark to notice footmarks. _  Mr. Thomas Harris, surgeon, of Wardington, was next examined. He had made a post mortem examination. He found a bullet had passed into the brain through the posterior inferior angle of the right parietal bone, and passing through the brain, was lodged under the dura mater, about the centre of the left parietal bone. There was likewise a contused lacerated wound on the forehead. The ball entered near the right ear, and was lodged an inch above the left ear. There was no doubt the weapon was fired close to the deceased's head, as the cravat was burned. The external laceration behind the ear was an inch square, quite black with gunpowder. This wound was the cause of death. The lacerated wound on the forehead might have been caused by a shot from a pistol; the ball might have glanced along the scalp; a bullet was found in the roll of his coat. The inquest was then adjourned until Friday. The young man charged with the offence is about 24 years of age, and has been in England only two months, during which time he has assisted his uncle in businsss. He cannot speak English with fluency. At present no evidence has been adduced affecting him, nor was he present to-day.