The Statesman. — 1823-12-13 (London, England)

CONFESSION OF JOHN PALLET. enaLlitsroltO, FaMAT. • John Pallet, the prisoner committed under the Coroner's warrant for the Commission of the above atrouious offence, arrived in town last night. He was brought from Newport in a chaise cart, with Kidmao, who was examined as 4 witness before the inquest, and the constable and gaol:r of Newport. Hir hands were confined with hand cuffs, and bis person was otherwise secured. Throughout the journey he exhibited a mixture of hardened villaiay, and a. strong disposition to avow the deed. At length, as be ipproaebed Chelmsford, the latter feeling prevailed ; although *ere was still no manifestation of regret for what he had done., He male 1 declarations which betrayed the rear state of the fact ; and on arriving in front of the Court. house, which he at once recognised as the place- of his trial, be expressed a wish to see Mr. Hall, the attorney for the prosecution. Mr. Hall was at the Saracen's Head I no,and immediately came out and went to the side 9f the earth) which the prisoner sat. The prisoner then addreebt ed him, and said, " Mr. Hall, there Is no use in denying it; I murdered Mr. Momford." He then went on to detail the particulars. He stated his previous hostility to Mr. Momfocti for having pounded his pigs, and having had him finer, ht. for being drank. On the night of the warder he was on the road when the Walden coach arrived, and heard Mr. Melt' ford's name mentioaed; he then resolved to put hii sanguinary intentions into execution, end went to a place which he described, and cat the stake which he afterwards used to effect his diabolical purpose. Mr. Stamford, who was a very small man, git years of age, and extremely short sighted, prooeeded down the lane, towards his father's haws, and witlaa Slice which he had borrowed was feeling his way; when the prisoner first saw him, he had advanced some dispinee. bet he soon overtook him ; he was then about to strike the fatal blot, but his heart failed him, and he denoted ; Mr. Mainfir hearp some perion near him, het from the defect In'his v41°11,1141 thit darkness of the night, he could not see who it wee ; he, holes'''. asked.ia a tone of alarm, " who's Caere?" the prischer made tie answer, bat stood still, and withheld his breath; Mr. Maalox/ then again went on; and the prisoner by • short cut Wiroueb a field got before him, and stood by a gate, ready once pore to strike; his heart again mi wive him, and be again desisted,; Mr. Mustard went on to the spot in which his body was felt • s en by Mr. Smith, sod thither the prisoner followeditim, and made finally a desperate blow at his bead with the bludgeon. which knocked off his bat ; with a second blow he felled him elv thelground, sod then, by repeated stroke., literally smashed bis skull to atoms. Having thus accomplisieed his dreadfdl purpose, be retired a short distance from the scene df slaughter, and resolved to run away; bat overpowered by the consciousness of his villainy be became as It wee rivetted to the spot, sod bad not rise power to move one foot before the ether, his eyes being still directed towards the body of his victim. In this state, in the retired part of the road, be 'remains-I till Mr. Smith came up ; litfas• him approach the body and ride away ; but still be did WC more. Once more be era led to escape, and to quit else dreadful spectacle, but be could not resist the impulse * • , again approach the body I and, without exactly dot, real log on what he should to, he took it epos his shoulder, throwing the head belshad, and was carrying it in that Ivo when he was deleard. It does not appear that Mr. Mew. ford wade the slightest resistaaee ; indeed, Compared sub the prisooerAte was utterly incapable of coping with such ea antagonist. On being searched the rimier led but  Per C •ent ( 7 4:titit 'N -C-1! • • . ,ill.. '''' ."1 tyy „''./02, • „.. 111 t . 111 ( I 1 P"IIIII r 1 al R D . . I) I I .illf