The Sun. — 1851-04-18 (London, England)

CLERKEN WELL. Mary Ann Coster, a pretty-looking woman, 20 years of age, who resided with her parents, at No. 55, Yorkstreet, City-road, was placed at the bar for final examination, charged, at the instance of the parish authorities of St. Luke's, with the wilful murder of her illegitimate infant child. Inspector Brennan stated to the bench that a coroner's inquest had been held upon the remains of the deceased child, and he handed in a copy of the verdict returned by the jury, which was as follows:—" That the child was found dead in a pail of dirty water, apparently from drowning; but when, how, or by what means it became so dead there is not sufficient evidence to show, but the evidence produced a case of strong suspicion. From the contradictory state of it it cannot bo relied on." The following evidence was now adduced before Mr. Combo, the presiding magistrate:— Mrs. Phcebe Kedge having been sworn, stated that she lived in the same house with the prisoner and her parents at No. 55, York-street, City-road, St. Luke's. Had known her eighteen months, and came there about that time with her father, mother, brother, and two sisters. They lived on the second floor, and witness on the first floor. The prisoner complained to witness that she had an abscess on her left breast. This was five months ago. She said her father knocked her down against a chair. Witness looked at the prisoner's breast, and told her, that judging from the appearance of it, if she was a married and not a single woman, she (witness) should say she was four months gone in pregnancy. The prisoner made no remark. She told witness that she was iu the habit of being visited and addressed by letter by a gentleman, and she received a letter from him last Wednesday fortnight. His name, she said, was O'Brien. When witness spoke to her with reference to the appearance of her breast, she said, " I have got my lying-in cap on." The father and mother locked the door of the back room every night the last thing. The pail now produced I know to be that belonging to the prisoner's parents, and in which the body of the deceased child was found. Mrs. Ann Kedge, sister-in-law of the last witness, deposed that she lives at No. 2, Mason's-place, Cityroad, St. Luke's. Was in the habit of calling on Mrs. Kedge. She confirmed that part of the evidence with regard to her breasts. I said to her in joke, " The sooner you get married the better, Mary Ann." She only smiled. I told her I did not think it was her first child. She made no answer. This happened at the latter part of October last. She mentioned the name of Mr. Thomas O'Brien—that she was going to see him. She had known him a long time. He was in some office at the west-end of the town. She was in the habit of receiving letters, which witness read to her; they were signed "Thomas O'Brien." Mr. Mack and Mr. Courtenay, surgeons, gave evidence that they had made a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased child, and having tested the lungs, they were satisfied in their opinion that the child was born alive. On examining the lungs some dirty water was found, like that in the pail in which the child was discovered dead. Sergeant Harvey, 14 G, deposed that ho found the pail (now produced) on the Bth inst., nn the landing of the second floor, close to the front room door, which was occupied by the prisoner, where he saw her in bed. He took her into custody to the workhouse. and subsequently brought her to this court on the charge of murder. Other circumstances of a peculiar nature are connected with the case, which rendered it necessary that further inquiries should be made by the police, and the prisoner will be brought up on a future day. Mr. COMBE, however, said he should commit the prisoner for trial on the charge of murder, and she was accordingly committed. In consequence of the prisoner's weakly state she was, by order of Mr. CeernE, conveyed to prison in a cabriolet, and ordered to be properly attended to there. With reference to the case of Mr. George William Dowling, which appeared on Wedpesday, the question I put by Mr. Mould should be, " Did you hear him dare