The Sun. — 1858-11-23 (London, England)

THE LATE POACHING AFFRAY NEAR  HULL.  On Saturday last six men were charged before a bench J magistrates at the East Riding Sessions House, Beverley, with being concerned in the murder of the gamekeeper Jet, who was killed during an affray with poachers near Hull, the particulars of which have already been given in The Sun. The following are the names of the prisoners: —Joseph Playforth, 20, labourer, Market Weighton ; Michael M'Grath, 21, labourer, Market Weighton ; Charles Franklin, 30, labourer, Brigg; Thomas Johnson, 27, labourer, Hull ; George Pell, 23, labourer, Swaffham ; and George Smith, 27, labourer, Beverley. The prisoners maintained a most resolute demeanour during the whole of the examination, which lasted nearly three hours. Smith, in particular, who was convicted for poaching two years ago, and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, conducted himself with great coolness and unconcern.  Mr. Earnshaw, of the firm of Lightfoot, Earn-ef shaw, and Frankish, Hull, conducted the case for the prosecution. The prisoners were undefended. After similar evidence to that given at the inquest had been adduced, Superintendent Gibson, of Beverley, was called. In the course of his examination he said that the two white pearl buttons which he had picked up on the scene of the encounter, and which he supposed belonged to some of the poachers, he now found belonged to the clothes which Jex wore on the evening he was murdered. He then stated that on leaving Bishop Burton he proceeded to Market Weighton, and apprehended Playfair at his mother's house. When charged with the murder; Playfair said, " I can prove that I was not there. Witness then saarched the house, and found & loaded gun (produced). Mr. Shepherd, the governor of Beverley House of Correction, had " drawn'' it in the witness's presence, and it was found to contain shot and slugs corresponding with those which had been extracted from the body of the under-keeper, Geddes. Superintendent Hartley apprehended M'Grath at Market Weighton the same morning. Both the prisoners were imme' diately conveyed to Bishop Burton, and on being taken into the presence of Geddes, he identified them, saying that, to the best of his knowledge, Playfair was the man who shot him. Witness said further that about ten o'clock the same night (Wed" nesday) he apprehended Smith at his lodgings in Beverley, and before he had charged him with any' thing, Smith said, " I know what you are coming for, Mr. Gibson, but I am out of this mess, 'for was at Hull that night, and I was drunk. I left Hull about eleven o'clock, and returned about flour in the morning, having slept in a straw stack dui' ing the night." Mr. Brcreton, surgeon, of Beverley, deposed to the nature of the wounds the murdered man had received. He said that Robinson was a little better, having spoken a few words the previous night (Friday), and there were now hopes of his ultimate recovery, though he was by no means out of danger. Geddes was improving rapidly. Superintendent Young said he apprehended Pell at a beerhouse in Driffield, on themorning of Wee' nesday. He had a bundle with him, and on witne° opening it he found it contained amongst things, a shirt, which appeared as if it had been lately washed at a roadside pond. On hearing the charge: he said, " I am out of that mess; I slept at Garton all night, and came here about half-past eight this morning." There was no other evidence of importance ter dered, and after a short consultation the magistrates, decided to set Pell at liberty, being of opinion that the evidence was not sufficiently strong against him, and remanded the other prisoners until Satoday next.  Another poacher was apprehended on Friday night at Brigg, and examinedprivately at Beverley on Saturday, but we believe we are correct in ing that he was one of the gang at Bishop B urton' though, it is said, he has had important intelligence to communicate. stating is also pretty well understood that the real murderer, and the most violent members of the gang, are yet at large. Their names and appear" ante are, however, well known to the Hull detectives, and there can be little doubt that in a day or two they will be in safe hands.