Darlington & Richmond Herald. — 1874-09-19 (Darlington, Durham, England)

WIFE KICKED TO DEATH IN  NEWCASTLE.  On Saturday morning at an early hour a woman died at her residence, in Newcastle, from wounds alleged to have been inflicted by her husband, who at the tune was said to be under the influence of drink. From the particulars ascertained, it appears that about nine o'clock on Friday night information was despatched to the Westgate Police Station that a woman was dying at her residence through the ill-usage of her husband. Inspector John Heppe' proceeded to the place, and he there found that the woman's name was Isabella Vass, wife of John Lawson Vass.who is a brother of the unfortunate man of that name who was hanged in Newcastlein April,lB63,for the murder of an old. woman in Stowell-street. The xvonian in question seemed to be in such a prostrate condition that it was deemed advisable to send for a medical gentleman, but on the arrival of the doctor he pronounced the case to be hopeless. The poor woman gradually sank, and a little after foal-o'clock she ceased to exist. The officer, on making iurther inquiries, found that th,, woman with her husband rented a room at No. 34, Thorntonstreet, of Mr Reed, landland of the Falstaff Hotel, Thornton-street, and on the night of the 22nd of August, as Mr Reed was about to retire to rest, he heard the shrieks of a woman as if in great agony proceeding from Vass's room. He hastily ran to the spot, and on pushing the door opeu he there saw Vass striking and kicking his wife in a mosl brutal manner. He stepped in between them, and the poor woman, seeing that her husband WaS threatened with the law, said, "Don't interfere, Mr Reed; it's all my fault. I have provokea him." The following day a doctor was called in, but she gradually sank and died. On Saturday night, Mr J. T. Hoyle, borough coroner, held an it.qusst on the body of deceased.. Mr Reed and several of the neighbours gave evidence as to the circumstances which was sib' stantially in accordance with the tants gathered by tue police as stated above. Dr Murray said on Sunday, the 23rd ult., atter death, along with Dr Page, 12e made an examination of the body. The fourth rib of the left side was broken, and the left lung was in a state of inflammation. In his opinion the Kielts, the fractured rib, and the inflammation would produce coma, and would accelerate death. Dr Page gave similar evidence.—The Coroner said he thought the only verdict the jury could give was one of manslaughter against Vii66.—Tile jury returned a verdict to the effect that the woman's death was accelerated .by injuries ieflicted by her husband.—A juror asked if the verdict would acquit the hushaud.—The Coroner: No, not at ail. The effect of it Is quite the reverse.—The juror:, Does it amount to manslaughter ?—Tho Coroner: The effect of it does.  John Lawson Vass (27), was brought before the Newcastle Bench of magistrates on Monday afternoon, charged with having violently as- . saulted his wife, Isabella Vass, on the 22nd ult., and having caused her death by striking and kicking her about the body. Evidence having been taken which was substantially similar to that given at the Coioner's inquest en Saturday night, Mr Alderman Gregson said it appeared quite clear to them that the woman had been badly used, and that her death hail been nirectly accelerated by violence. They therefore ordered the prisoner to take his trial at the Assizes on the charge of manslaughter. An application for bail was refused.