The Northern Guardian. — 1896-06-08 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE READING MURDERS.  THE CONDEMNED WOMAN DYES.  EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS. The Weekly Despatch states that on Saturday . R. L. Woods, solicitor, awl Mr Knight, his reanag.. log clerk, attended at the Royal Courta of Justice and obtained from Lord Russell of Kißowen a sublaena, issued under the seal of the Crown, for the attendance of Amelia Dyer, now awaiting execution in Newgate, at the forthcoining Berkshire Assizes, to be held at Reading, on the 16th inst., w give evidence in the case of her daughter, Mrs I'almer, now awaiting trial. The subvena ws immediately served on Chief Warder Scott at New.. gate, and also on the Home Secretary. Dytee execution is fixed for Wednesday. When Messrs Woods and Knight presented themselves at Newgate Prison and inquired for the Governor, Colonel Milman, they were received by Chief-Warder Scott, who infotmed them that the Governor was at Holloway Gaol, and that he, Le Chief-Warder, was empowered to act in any matter appertaining to prison affairs. Mr Woods then drew from his pocket a letter addressed to Mre Amelia Dyer, which contained a copy of the otheiai Crown subpi_eua and 18s conduct money, this being the precise fare for herself and her accompanying wardress. 2dr Scott was greatly taken aback, ara remarked, "I cannot take this; you had better wait."  "No," replied Mr Woods; "I asked if you had charge of Mrs Dyer, or, in other words, whethershe was present in this building, and your reply Wait, eti, I have charge of her.' Therefore you. are the most responsible person I can serve with this Crown subpoena." '1 shan't take it," replied the Chief Warder.. Mr Woods then quickly answered : " You esa do what you like with it. You are the responsible aficer in authority, and the document, the orig:ual of which I herewith produce and show yet:, is ionied under the seal of Her Majesty and Lord Russell of Kfilowen, and it Mra Dyer be executed on Wednesday next in this gaol, before she kits eiven ev:dence on behalf of the prisoner, May Palmer, now lying at Reading Gaol, you will be responsible. Tnis is, in fact, a command of Her :Majesty, issued by form of writ, and a copy of it I intend to at once serve upon Sir Matthew White Ridley, the Home Secretary, at the Home Office. In the face of this document. the Sheriffs will iuzur the gravest responsibiltiy if they dare to carry out the sentence passed by Mr Justice Hawkins next Wednesday." The Chief Warder again asked that Mr Woode. should wait for the arrival of the Governor, but Mrs Palmer's legal adviser replied : "I have executed the serving of this subinena in the strictest possible legal manner, and I must ask you to immediately intimate to the Governor and to Mrs. Dyer that such a document has been served epee. you as the official in authority." Mr Woods then entered a cab in waiting, and, proceeded to the Home Office at Whitehall. He was unable to see the Hume Secretary personally, but Mr Simpson, an important official of the Home Office, received Mr Woods, who at once made known the object of his visit to the Home Office.  " Well," remarked Mr Simpson, "1 iba:es—been. here many year, but I never knew of a person lying under sentence of death to b subpmaaed a witness. It is unique in the history of criminal procedure, and raises a most iniportaut and momentous point. The death warrant of the prisoner, Amelia Dyer, has been already issued. Mr Woods Quite so, but that order is now obviously countermanded by the issuing of this Crown eubpcena." Mr Simpson: Very well. I thoroughly appreciate the importance of all you say, and I will at once communicate to the Horde Secretary the fact that this Crown subpiena has issued, and has been served on Amelia Dyer at Newgete Prison. You will doubtless hear from us almost immediately." No official decision has yet Leen strived at, and so tar as can be ascertained, the execnt ion of Mrs Dyer, which is fixed for Wedneeday rnernieg at Dine &chick, has not been alterefL