The Sun. — 1856-07-16 (London, England)

MARYLEBONE.—THE LATE ATROCIOUS CASE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER OP A YOUNG WOMAN IN PADDINGTON.—John Cole, a journeyman gardener and nurseryman, living at No. lA, Hardington-street, New Church-street, Portman-market, was brought before Mr. Broughton, on remand, charged with having attempted to murder a young woman, named Emily Luker, servant to Mrs. Clay, 9, Howley-place, Paddington, by firing off at her a pistol, loaded with gunpowder and small stones. The particulars of what transpired upon the first examination have already appeared at some length in our paper, and it will be remembered that from the effect of the explosion, the female Luker was entirely deprived of the sight of one eye, and that it was doubtful as to whether the sight of the other would be preserved or not. The court was much crowded during the proceedings. Mr. Broughton, to Inspector O'Brien D—What fresh evidence in this case have you to offer ? Inspector—l have here, sir, the person of whom the pistol was purchased, and another witness, a policeman. Mr. Broughton—Who is the first witness you propose to put in the box, Mr. O'Brien ? Inspector—The party by whom the pistol was sold, sir. George Mosley was then sworn. He said—l am an as• sistant to Mr. Keen, a pawnbroker, , Nos. 13 and 14 Chapel-street, E4geware-road. Mr. Broughton—Look at the prisoner, and tell me if you know him. Witness—l do, sir.  Mr. Broughton—What do you know of him ? Witness— On Saturday evening, the sth inst., he came to our shop and brought in a pistol which had been exposed for sale outside of the premises. He asked me what I wanted for it, and I told him 4s. He offered me 3s. 6d., which I refused to take, and he went away. In a few minutes afterwards he returned and gave me the price which I had in the first instance asked him for the pistol. A pistol was produced by Williams, 141 D, by whom it was taken from the prisoner almost immediately after it was fired off. Upon his taking possession of it the barrel was quite warm. Mr. Broughton—Who do you propose to call next, Mr. O'Brienl Inspector—A police-constable, sir. Mr. Broughton—Let him stand up. Paine, 235 D, said—On Monday night week the prisoner came to the Paddington-green Station-house, and said to me, "I am your prisoner." He was asked what for, and he replied, " I have taken life." He was then locked up on the charge, after it had been entered in the regular way by the inspector on duty, and I was desired to be with him in the cell. While he was locked up he said to me "I did it—l intended to do it." , Mr. Broughton— Prior to his making this observation, had you put to him any questions ? Witness—Certainly not, your worship. Mr. Broughton—Did anything more pass? Witness—Prisoner said, " I intended to have done it a week before, but I thought I would give her another " , determined week to send to me an honourable letter, to say why she broke off md y company. upon I made answer, and said to him job ;"when he said to me, "Policeman I was taking her life." , " It's a b Mr. Broughton—Are you quite sure he used those words ? Witness—l am, sir. Ho further told me that he bought the pistol in Chapel-street, and that he had enough powder in it for three charges—adding, " If I had fired at the very moment the girl came to the gate, I should have killed both of them (meaning the girl and the young man by whom the parcel was delivered), but I hope I have not hurt him. I don't think I could have donee*, be I pulled