The Express. — 1848-02-05 (London, England)

GOLDISN-LANIL—IIar rid Parker, 38, was indicted for the wilful murder of Amine Blake, by forcibly pressing both her hands upon the mouth and nose of the deceased and thereby destroying and suffocating her. There was a second indictment against the prisoner for the murder, by similar means, of another child, named Robert Henry Blake. Mr. Bodkin and Mr. Clerk conducted the prosecution on behalf of the crown. The prison. r would have been without any profesional assistance but for the kind and humane interference of the sheriffs, and through their instrumentality Mr. Clarkson defended the prisoner.— Mr. Bodkin having opened the case, the examination of witnesses was commenced. Robert Henry Blake—On the 31st December last I resided in Cubitt's court, St. Luke's, and the prisoner had lived with me two years and a half as my wife at that place. I have a wife living. She at present resides at Birmingham. I had two children by my lawful wife. Their names were Amine and Robert Henry. The girl was tight, and the boy between five and six years old, and they lived with me and the prisoner. I came home from my work between 6 and 6 on the evening of the 31st Dec. ; and II told the prisoner to make haste and get tea, as I was going to the theatre. She wished to go with me, but I would not take her, as I said I was going with a Mr. Hewlett, a Mend of mine. I had my tea and put the children to bed, and went out to the Duke of Bedford public-house close by. The prisoner followed me, and said she would go where I went. Hewlett was in the public-house, and I asked him to go for a walk, and we went out together, the prisoner still following us. We went go through several streets, and I several times told her to home and not abuse me, but she replied that she would fellow me wherever I went. The prisoner at this time bad a piece of lead tied in a handkerchief in ber hand, and I remarked that it was a curious thing for her to have. The prisoner then said I should find the very devil in her that night. I and Hewlett went nandlic-house in Old-street, and the prisoner also came drank some gin with us. When we came out I again told her to go home, but she said she would go where I was, and we all thre went again to the Duke of Bedford. As we were goings along I board a female of the name of Jones mention my name. I had known this woman for four or five days, but had not been on terms of intimacy with her before that day. Hewlett and I sat down on a bench in the Duke of Bedford, and while the prisoner was in the act of speaking to the landlord, I slipped out without her perceiving me, leaving Hewlett behind, and I spent that night with Jane Jones. I returned home between 10 and 11 the neat morning, and then saw the dead bodies of both my children. Crosaexamined : I was not at work on the day in queetion, and bad been drinking for several days before. I beame acquainted with the prisoner at Birmingham, and Ica she was married when I brought her away. I did not intend to go to the theatre with Jane Jones, but met her quite promiscuously. I never told the prisoner that 1 bad got az women all married like herself, neither did I taunt her about my other women on Mit night ;bat While Me was Owing