The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1846-03-31 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

HEATH. Nathaniel Currie, (31,) stood charged with having, at Newton Heath, about two miles from Manchester, wilfully murdered Mine Ellison by throwing her into a canal. The case appeared to excite considerable interest, the court being filled at an early hour. Mr. Sergeant Wilkins, assisted by Messrs. Monk and Sowler, conducted the prosecution. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Joseph Pollock. Mr. Wilkins gave a continuous narrative of the circumstances which are detailed in the evidence of the following witnesses : Benjamin Booth, a surveyor, of Manchester, produced plans of the ground where the occurrence took place ; they were handed to the jury for inspection. Mr. Ellison, father to the deceased, stated that he lived in Maria-street, Manchester. The deceased, his daughter, was 21 years of age in October last. She was a big piecer of Murray's factory, and prisoner was a strecher at the same place. Deceased was a teacher at a Sunday School, and was a regular and good girl. Was not aware that she had any follower. On Wednesday, the 10th December, she returned from her work a little after seven, and she seemed lively, and in her usual spirits. She went out about seven o'clock, saying she was going to see Jane Pilling. Went to bed about ten, and was called up about ten by his wife, who stated that deceased had not come in. Witness went to various places in Manchester., and continued walking about until four in the morning, and about five saw the prisoner, and asked him if he knew anything about Ann, as she had not been home all night. He said he had been at the new Trades' Hall, and could not get in, and he appeared confused and agitated. The factory bell rang and he went away. In the course of the morning he sent his daughter Mary to make inquiry about Ann. Did not tell her to say anything about Ann being drowned, as they did not know anything about it. About nine o'clock, gave information to the police, and during the forenoon received information that a body had been found in the canal. Went to the Three Crowns, and found the body of his daughter. On getting back, found the prisoner's wife, and she said something about the occurrence width had taken place. He then went out, and in the evening, when he got home, after making arrangements as to the body of the deceased, saw the prisoner, and owing to what had been said by the prisoner's wife, told him he was the villain that had destroyed his daughter, and threatened to turn him out of the house. He afterwards went away. The body was buried in the Ardwick cemetery, but was afterwards exhumed, and a post modem examination made by the surgeons. Jane Pilling lived in Kennedy-street, Ancoats, and was a jack tenter at Murray's mill. Knew the deceased, and gave evidence to the effect that she had made no appointment on the 10th of December. Cross-examined by Mr. Pollock.—Had not observed any difference in the demeanour of the deceased immediately before the time of her body being found in the canal. Mr. Darby called.—Worked at Murray's mill, and knew both prisoner and deceased. On the 10th of December saw them in Elizabeth-street, near Shaw's factory, about a quarter to eight in the evening. He appeared to be enticing her to go somewhere with him, and she did not wish, but she afterwards went with him in the direction of Butler-street. He next morning heard of the drowning when he got to the factory, and mentioned what he had seen the preceding evening. Cross-examined by Mr.