Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1870-11-05 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

COMMITTAL OP THE ACCUSED.  At the Borough Court, Bradford, on Monday, Patrick Riley, twenty-six, and John Riley, twentyfour, natives of Galway, lately employed at Water. lane Forge, Bradford, and who resided in lodgings at Longlands-street, were brought up on the charge of wilfully murdering Thomas Leach, water turner, in the service of the Bradford Corporation, on Saturday night, in Westgate. The murder had caused great sensation in the town, as the deceased, a quiet, inoffensive man, was well known. The streets near the Court-house were crowded with spectators, and the court itself was crammed with people. The magistrates on the bench were the Mayor, Aid. Law, Mr J. Light, and Aid. Brayshaw. The chief constable briefly opened the case, detailing the particulars of the murder. Mr Rubinson (Terry and Robinson) examined the witnesses, and called Mr John Walker, landlord of the Pack florae Inn, who deposed to the row in the house, the ejection of John Riley by the deceased, the return of Leach into the house after he had been stabbed, and his death in about four minutes afterwards.— James Walker, son of the landlord, corroborated. his father's evidence, and said that while Leach was on his knees in Westgate, over John Riley, he saw Patrick Riley run in and strike Leach with something in the breast, and attempt to strike Geo. Berry, stable boy, and others who were about. Patrick Riley then disappeared in the crowd, but he (witness) positively swore to him as the man who thrust something at Leach's breast. Leach was quite well before he seized John Riley, and ' just previously he had said that he would not be at the house next Saturday, as he was going to the firemen's annual supper. Elijah Clay, ostler, described his seizure by John Riley, the coming up of Leach to his rescue, the struggle of Leach with John Riley, and the fall of the men in Westgate, but lie did not see Patrick Riley strike the deceased. —George Barry, stable boy, gave similar testimony. He ran to Leach, and was in the act of raising him from behind, having hold of his arms, when Patrick Riley rushed up and struck Leach in the breast. He also tried to strike witness. Deceased walked into the house, sat on the stairs, was helped into the kitchen, and died after witness had poured vs little brandy into his mouth, saying faintly, just before his death, "Oh, I'm done."—Dr Dunlop and Mr Parkinson, surgeon, who had made a post mortem examination of deceased, described the wound as five-eighths co: an inch in length, and inches to 4 inches deep, penetrating to the heart. The knife had passed through the middle of the breast-bone, severed the right ventricle, and one through the pericardium.— , Police-sergeant Wilson produced the portion of Patrick Riley's muffler, and the prisoner immediately exclaimed "that's mine." The Chief Constable said he had another witness, who had come to give evidence before the coroner, but he thought there was sufficient to convict Patrick Riley. Both prisoners repeatedly denied the charge. Patrick Riley was then ordered to be committed for trial at the assizes on the charge of wilful murder. —Mr Thomas Taylor, coroner, held an inquest into the death of Thomas Leach, at the Pack Horse Inn, yesterday mo.ning, when the evidence was fully gone into, and Patrick Riley was four RileysaHocoot: afuromitur s er:igmvmngilsi. committed committed elgodvdli odvonieni it: plißreidtr Evidence jerisee:ooyila se: John forlognori riinfix assaultingtl.oeeer ny' osloiannfwtiiottaphihirnetresialpsnE. prisoner's warrant onji raraneetrha cetkrhnce,hseeti xca‘rc:yto violent conduct, co os nt derum; cbatoi tnn Mr :11rse I 1r deceased‘ raJlat. Ve rat i ke statingtor at isaa. landlord Cdwal johrorei hdyl Rileynti Leach ha the s onPackww, asof Vincent-street, who was engaged in the row which had so fatal a termination, but who was taken into custody by Police-constable Wartiman Craven previous to the tragedy, was charged with refusing to leave the Pack Horse when requested by the landlord, Mr Walker. The prisoner pleadea that he had never been before the magistrates previously, and as Mr Walker said he was not one or the worst behaved, he was fined ss, with fis costa, or ten dart in default, the _Mayor severely reP rimanding him for hio conduct.