The Sun. — 1859-07-05 (London, England)

BRUTAL MURDER IN HULL.  On Sunday afternoon the inhabitants of Blackfriargate, Hull, and neighbourhood, were startled by a rumour that a most foul murder had been committed. The rumour spread with great rapidity through the town, and upon inquiry it was found to be too true. It appears that for some time past a man named John Ryley and his wife, and two children (aged respectively eight and eleven years), have resided in Mariner's •court,Blackfriargate. They have livektogethermostunhappily, however, and it is only a short time ago since the wife had her husband before the stipendiary magistsate for violently assaulting her. Her face upon that occasion bore evidence to the brutal treatment that she had. received, and the magistrate considered it such a flagrant case that he committed the husband to one month's imprisonment in the gaol. His term of imprisonment had only just expired, and he had been liberated from prison when he had recourse to his former treatment, and upon this occasion apparently with a firm determination to end the poor woman's existence. On Sunday afternoon, about three o'clock, a female named Mary Thompson went to Ryley's house for the purpose of getting a saucepan. She knocked at the door, but no one answered her. She then looked in at the window, and not being able to see any one stirring about, she threw it open, when to her dismay she saw Ryley suspended by the neck from the bed. pa immediate alarm was given, and the door burst open, when, to the horror of the parties, Ryley's wife was discovered in bed weltering in her blood, with her throat cut from ear so ear. A surgeon was at once sent for, and Ryley was cut down just as he was beginning to turn black in the face. Under the care of the surgeon Ryley shortly afterwards recovered, and he was then conveyed to the station-house. The poor woman's life was quite extinct. The murder appeared to have been committed with a dinner-knife, and while the woman was asleep in bed. Ryley was yesterday brought before the stipendiary magistrate, and the case having been proved, the prisoner was committed for trial at the ensuing York Assizes.  Re-examined by Mr. Kennedy—The letters referred to were in the affidavits, and were read on the second trial. She stated that she was present on the 16th of June and saw Mr. Swinfen. She had been there on the 16th. My husband died on the 15th of June, but I do not know what day old:Mr. Swinfen was told of his son's death. Mrs. Rowley went into the room of Mr. Swinfen on the 23d of June, and that was the first time witness was in the testator's room after her husband's death. When Mrs. Francis arrived it was unknown to witness that the carriage drove up. Before that time I had not known her. Mrs. Charles Swinfen was there. A solicitor came with her. A long conversation took place before Mrs. Francis asked to see Mr. Swinfen. At that time Mr. Swinfen was not in a position to be seen, and she told Mrs. Taylor (the nurse) so. Mrs. Francis was a stranger to witness, and Mrs. Charles was almost a stranger to her. Mr. Simpson was also a stranger to her. First saw him in 1852. Never made any objection to what was done as to the proposed issuing. of a commission of lunacy. Dr. Evans, of Birmingham, was sent for, to say whether ie testator was in a condition to make a will, and he said he was not. The Judge—ls that so ? Witness—lt was so. Re-examination continued—Had not since received the whole of the rents. Had nothing to do with the transfer of the £7,000. It was done by Mr. Charles Swinfen. Had been re-transferred before any bill was filed. At 5 o'clock the further hearing was adjourned • until to-morrow (this day) at 10.