The Warwickshire Herald. — 1895-09-19 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

OLD BAILEY. At the Central Crimifsid Court, on Monday, before Mr. Justice Kennedy, Molterle. Allen Orernheie 13r was indicted for the murder of his reethrte; John Fox, aged 39, described as a. . was Indicted for being an accessory- after the fact, and Nathaniel George Cornbult 12, described as a schoolboy, was indicted on the coroner's inquisition with the capital offence, but the magistrates did not commit him upon the charge. Mr. C. F. Gill and Mr. Horace Avery prosecuted for the Treasury; Mr. Grantham defended R3bert Coombes, and Mr. Sherwood, Fox. The boys upon entering the dook, with a light air, did not seem at all to realise their position; and, indeed, the eldet boy smiled as he cenfronted the judge.—Mr. Gill said he should not offer any evidence against the younger prisoner—Robert Coombes, in acswer to the charge of wilful murder, pleaded guilty, but counsel asked that a plea of not guilty might be entered, and this the judge permitted.—The jury returned a formal verdict of not guilty against the younger prisoner, and he left the dock. Counsel for the Crown opened the case against the prisoners, telling the story of the crime as elucidated in the statements of the boy Nathaniel Coomt es and of the prisoner Robert Coombes. There was no doubt, concluded Mr Gill, that the woman met her death at the hands of Robert Coombes. It would be suggested, however, that the lad at the time of the commission of the crime was not responsible for his actions. Emily Coombes, the sister-in-law of the deceased, said that Ribert Combos was 13 years of age. The witness spoke to the circumstances under which she discovered the body of the deceased, and to conversations she had with Fox and Robert Coombes. Robert told her his mother had gone 0 Liverpool, that a rich aunt had died, and that all he knew was that now lie was rich.—Cross-examined: Robert Coombes was quite frank and did not appear to appreciate his position. She had never seen Fox until she saw him at the house a few days before the discovery. Nathaniel George Crotches said that on the Sunday night his brother Robert slept with his mother. In the morning lie told him that he had killed his mother. The witness said: "No, you haven't." Robert said: "Yes, I have. Come and have a look." He went to the bedroom door. He heard his mother groan, but could not see her. On the Friday or Saturday previous Robert had told him that he meant to do it. Robert said that he wanted to get away to some island. He sliewed him the knife, saving: "This is the knife I am going to do her with." Robert told him on the Saturday that when he (witness) coughed twice, he (Robert) "would do it." Robert brought his mother's dress into the room and took the money out of her purse. They halved the money between them. The witness explained how he and his brother spent their time after the murder up till the discovery on July 17th. The witness was qua itioned with the object of chewing what his brother's actions were.—Re-examined: Robert told him that lie intended to let the body He on the bed and outer it with qu.ekliine. Dr. Kennedy, divisional surgeon of t•olice, said that de ith was due to two Ptabs threegh the heart. —The testimony of neighbours was given bearing 'on the conduct of the lad Robert Connibes after the murder, and as to statement.: he male. Fox was tiemiibeil as being "half-witted."—The trial was adjourned.