The Sun. — 1860-09-03 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.--ALLEGED MURDER OF A WIFE BY HER HUSBAND.—At a late hour on Saturday Patrick M'Carthy, a middle-aged man, described as a labourer, was brought before Mr. Burcham by Sergeant M'Cloud, charged with causing the death of his wife by violence. The officer said that he was on duty in Redcrossstreet, Southwark, about one o'clock on Saturday morning, when he was called to No. 7, Thorn'sbuildings, and in the upstairs front room he perceived a female lying dead on a bed. The prisoner was there, and several other persons, and witness asked him whether he was her husband. He said that he was, and that it was a bad job for him, but he did not use any violence. Witness told him he must take him into custody, and as the prisoner was about to say something he gave him a caution. The prisoner then said that his wife came home drunk and fell down.  Mr. Burcham asked whether the woman appeared to have died recently ? Sergeant M'Cloud replied that she was quite cold when he was called in, and appeared to have been dead three or four hours. Before leaving the house the prisoner said that he had severely injured one of his feet, and when his wife came in he was sitting on the edge of the bed bathing the foot. She had a child in her arms, and she asked him to take it. He told her that he could not take it just then, and she slapped him on the head. He put his hand up and pushed her away. She fell down, and her head came in contact with a large box. She vomited very much, and he immediately took the child from her, and tried to lift her up. but his foot being so bad he could not, consequently he called in a man from tbe lower part of the house, and then he found her to be insensible. They bathed her temples and rubbed her hands, and finding that she did not revive he sent for a doctor, who immediately attended, and found she was dead. Mr. Burcham—W ere there marks of violence on the body ?  Sergeant M'Cloud—l did not perceive any. Hu nose appeared to have bled very much. Dr. Leach attAndA her, but he is not.preseut. Mr. Burcham (to the prisoner)—You have heard what the officer has stated. Have you any questions to a,..1c. him ?  Prisoner—No, sir. It's all true what he stated. My feet are very sore, and while I was bathing them she came in, and I was afraid she would fall against me, and I put up my hand to keep her off, when she fell down. John M'Carthy, a lad about eight years of age, son of the prisoner and the deceased, said he was at home when his mother came in, and she was very passionate. She wanted father to take the child, and he pushed her, and she fell backwards against the large clothes box. She never spoke afterwards. Helen M'Carthy said—l am in service. The deceased is my sister, and unfortunately she has lately been much addicted to drink. The prisoner, however, is a very sober and industrious man. I have not been in their house for some time, but I know they were not very happy together. Mr. Downs, the builder, of Queen-street, here came forward and said—l have known the prisoner some years, and he is a very steady man. Unfortu• nately for him, he hurt his foot lately, and has not been able to work. Mr. Burcham—This is a very painful case, and one that I cannot deal with. The prisoner must be remanded for the attendance of the doctor, who will make a post mortem examination of the body, and then can explain the probable cause of death. The prisoner is therefore remanded until Wednesday next.