The Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser. — 1871-12-30 (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England)

THE ALLEGED MURDER OF A BETTING MAN. At the Lambeth police court,•Duadon, Wed nesday, Jelm lloberts was charged before Mr with causing the death of William Coat, alias Walsh, ”!,',l Shandon, under the follov,ing circumstances: Emma Thomas a married woman, stated that she had lived with the deceased for twelve months. On Saturday month, about half-past ten o'clock at night, Roberts came to their house, and asked for zihandon. She told him he was not at home, and he said he would sit down. He went into the room and sat by the fire, and sent for some gin and some beer. Some time afterwards. Collitt came in and placed a bundle on the table, which he untied, and amongst ether things, took out part of a leg of mutton. Some badinage ensued, and Collitt left the room, as did the witness. On their return, Collitt said "Where is the meat, duckey ?" when Roberts said he had thrown it to the dog. On looking under the bed she found it there. A quarrel ensued, during which Roberta called Thomas an opprobious name, ' and Collitt said, "101 you ever know her do anything wrong while she was with me ' He then seized a poker,. and Itoberts tin-hung a' sword. (Mat caught it by the handle and drew it from the scar:bard, which remained in the hand of Roberts. Witness then managed . to push Rob,r:s out of the room, and locked the door upon. him. He then kicked- in the nand, and burst open the door, rushed at and struck him on the head with the scabbard. Thomas called out " Murder " and " Police," when a policeman arrived and asked Collitt if he 'would give Poberts into custody. Collitt replied, "No. I shall ha all right when the blood le. washed away." The policeman said You ou:ht to be ashamed of yourself for not 1. ckin 4 him up. Oh, I es you arc all of a kidney." Ile then left, said Collitt went to the hospital, and remained an Out-patient them for a week. At tlIc: end of that time he became worse, and went into the hospital, where he czjere.:in an hour and a half after lw his ad. it:mance.  Eliatbuth Kelly. the companion of Thom!;.s, gr.re somewhat different evidence as t the beginning of the affray, stating that lylore the poker was taken by Collitt he had struck Roberta on the nose, the latter returning the blow. She corroborated Thomas's evidence in most other particulars, but stated that Collin took the sword down. Collitt was the most violent of the two. John Turner, genend dealer, said he was with Roberts in the room when he threw the muttou under the bed. Some bad huaguage ensued, whaa Roberts tried to kick Mrs. Thomas. Collitt rocked at bite in hand, hut they Rel-,crts out of the room. Collin said, Let me gut at him. 111 cut his ---- Lead off." r. Jones, house ureuu aL Guy's Hospital, proved the nature of the injuries. There was a around from the top to the bottom of the head, 2A inches in :ength, and so deep that the bone of the skull was exposed. The cause of death was inflamation of the brain, caused by the severe injuries to the head. After 3011se other evidence, the prisoner was committed for trial. Roberts had left L mdon before the coroner's warrant for his apprehension was issued, and he was arrested at Leeds. A:large number of the betting fraternity were pres:mt during the el:mlination.  NAPOLEON ON TkIE