The Sun. — 1856-12-06 (London, England)

MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN BY THEIR FATHER. Nine o'clock this morning was the time fixed for this important and interesting- trial, and as soon as the doors of the court were open to the public, such a rash into the building took place as has not been seen in Chester for many a day. At a quarter past nine his lordship arrived, and took his seat upon the bench, immediately after which the prisoner was brought to the bar. The Jury having been sworn, the clerk read the indictment, charging the prisoner, William Jackson, with the murder of his son, John Edward Jackson. • Mr. Swetenham and Mr. H. Lloyd prosecuted ; the prisoner was undefended. Mr. Swetenham rose, and said he would at once call the witnesses, as the prisoner was undefended. His lordship said such a course was not merciful, as it was always the best plan to give a plain statement of facts, so that the accused party by that means would be informed of what was to be brought against him. Mr. Swetenham then proceeded to state the case. The prisoner was a married man, and the father of four children. Last May his wife left him and went to reside at Manchester, leaving a girl and a boy, about six years old, with him, the murder of which boy was the subject of the present trial. These children had been taken care of by a Mrs. Hancock, a relative of the prisoner. On the 27th of September, Mrs. Hancock sent them to the Coach and Horses 'public-house, where the prisoner was lodging, and there they were left. Soon after that time the prisoner went out, and in a short time returned to the house, when he took away the little girl, coming back in about half an hour. He then took out the boy, and did not return until the afternoon, when he was alone. He was seen by different parties going towards an orchard, belonging to a Mr. Rogers, carrying the children, and he was seen by other parsons returning without them. The absence of the children gave rise to various rumours, and in answer to the inquiries the prisoner gave evasive replies. At length, about three weeks after they had been missed, the mother of the children came to Chester and communicated with the police, who at once instituted inquiries into the case, and on the 22d of October the prisoner was apprehended. On the following morning, police-officer Whittaker and his retriever dog were in the garden towards which the prisoner was seen carrying the children, and on approaching a pit the dog began to scratch the soil. A spade was obtained, and on removing one sod the naked foot of a child was seen. Mr. Hill, the chief constable, was infOrmed of this fact, and he and his officers went at once to the spot, and on removing more soil came upon the body of a little boy, beneath which was found the body of a little girl. Near the boy was also found a bag of toys, which the girl who took him to the Coach and Horses on the 27th of September would identify as belonging to the boy, who carried it with him to the house, and after' wards had in his hand when his father was carrying him towards the orchard. When the bodies were examined, it was found that the throat of each was stuck in the same manner as a butcher would kill a pig or sheep, separating the carotid artery and the jugular vein without cutting the throat across. The prisonec had formerly been in the habit of assisting his brOther as a butcher ; his own trade was that of an upholsterer. The learned counsel having called several witnesses to prove his statement, Mr. Macintyre briefly addressed the jury for the prisoner, who without leaving the box, after consultng for a few minutes, returned a verdict of Guilty. His Lordship then put on the black cap and passed sentence of death upon the prisoner.