The Sun. — 1862-12-01 (London, England)

CHARGE OF MURDER TN THE VIC 7 ORM  DOCK-ROAD.  ____,__________ A considerable degree of excitement has prevailed during the last few days in the vicinity of the Victoria Docks, in consequence of a report Sf a brutal murder on the person of Arthur Merton, aged 21 years. a porter at the Tidal Basin Station of the North Woolwich line of the Great Eastern Railway, by a number of mariners alleged to belong to the screw collier steam-ship James Dixon, the property of Messrs. Cory and Sons, coal merchants. It appeared that the deceased went into the Victoria Dock Hotel on Monday night last, and after leaving that place he was attacked by a number of sailors in a drunken condition, who maltreated him and his companion, whom they kicked, and after leaving deceased in an insensible state, he was discovered by the police, who removed him ; but deceased never rallied, and died on the following morning at eleven o'clock. The Coroner for the district, Mr. C. C. Lewis, opened an inquiry at the Victoria Dock Hotel, Victoria Dock-road, Essex, u on the body of deceased, and after the identity was proved on Wednesday the proceedings were adjourned until Saturday morning at eleven o'clock, when the following important evidence was adduced : Edward Lowe stated that be knew the deceased, and he went to the Dock House Tavern on the night in question with Thomas Dyson. They remained there until half-past eleven o'clock, when they left. Dyson and witness walked on, when they saw Mitchell and other sailors, who struck him and Dyson. He then saw Mitchell run after Dyson, exclaiming, " I have done for one, and I will do for another." Mitchell then approached witness and struck him. Witness saw the deceased lying on the ground and heard a man named Hewett say, " Go it George, give it to the —." At the police station Mitchell offered witness money not to appear to press the charge. Thomas Dyson, railway porter, deposed that he and deceased left duty at five minutes to ten o'clock that night, and repaired to the Dock House Tavern, and, after remaining there until 20 minutes to 12, they proceeded on their way home ; but just after they left Mitchell struck witness, exclaiming, " I know you." Witness replied, " If you do know me you need not strike me." Shortly afterwards he saw deceased lying on the ground. The police were called, and deceased was taken home. Witness remained with him all night, but he never recovered his senses or his speech, and expired next morning. James Wallis, a police-officer in the service of the Great Eastern Railway Company, said that on Monday night, shortly before 11 o'clock, he was alarmed by a cry of " Police !" He proceeded to the spot from whence the sound issued, and found deceased upon the ground lying by the side of a lamp-post. Mitchell was by the deceased, and witness distinctly saw him kick the deceased twice on the head as he lay upon the ground. Witness was only about 10 or 12 yards from him, and clearly saw Mitchell use his foot. When Mitchell was in the act of kicking deceased, the man Hewett said, " Let the have it, George." When witness reached deceased he was quite insensible. Witness assisted in carrying deceased home, and he was quite insensible until death. Mr. J. Morris, surgeon, stated that he was called to the deceased, and made a post mortem examination of the body, in conjunction with Dr. Mugliston. The immediate cause of death was effusion of blood on the surface of the brain, produced by fracture of the skull and rupture of the bloodvessels of the brain, which must have been produced by a violent fall or blow. He did not believe the injuries were received accidentally. After some remarks from the learned coroner he suggested another adjournment, as several important witnesses were absent on board the James Dixon, which would be in the docks again in a week's time. The proceedings were accordingly adjourned. The two men, Mitchell and Hewett, were brought up at Ilford Petty Sessions, on Saturday, before a full bench of county magistrates, on the charge of causing the deceased's death; but after the examination of several witnesses, the prisoners were remanded for a week, and were again conveyed to Ilford Gaol.