The Sun. — 1870-08-27 (London, England)

THE EXTRAORDINARY CONFESSION OF  MURDER IN AUSTRALIA.  At Bow-street yesterday, George Dyer, 47, clerk, late of 2, Halliford-street, Islington, was finally brought before Sir Thomas Henry, charged upon his own confession with wilfully slaying one George Wilson at the Loddon Gold Diggings, Victoria, Australia, in 1867. The prisoner was first brought up before Mr. Vaughan at this court on the 10th January of the present year, from which period until now he has frequently been brought before the magistrate and remanded. The first portion of the time he was admitted for dial. Communicationhad been made with Australia,_ the result of which was that a telegram was sent to this country, requesting the authorities to detain the prisoner, as his statement was fully corroborated, and an officer with a warrant for his apprehension had already started for England. The mail having arrived with the warrant officer, the prisoner Dyer was placed at the bar on Thursday afternoon, and the deposition.; taken on the former occasions were read over by Mr. Burnaby, the Chief Clerk. Dyer in these documents declared that he had struck his victim with a spade after the latter had drawn a knife on him. Mr. Thomas ordered the Australian police officer to be called. Robert Fulton Homes said : I am a sergeant of police stationed at Brighton, near Castlemaine, Australia. I produced a warrant signed by Mr. Thomas Dennis Stratford Heron, police magistrate for the colony, and that is his signature signed in my presence. The warrant is for the apprehension of George Dyer, for the murder of 'George Wilson. I also produced some depositions taken at Castlemaine. (The warrant was here read to the prisoner), and can certify that they are true copies of the originals. I was present when the witness were examined upon oath. I was not present at the inquest on the body. Mr. Burnaby then read copies of the evidence taken in Australia, of which the following formed a part. Evidence of Victor Henry Charbrunet :—I am at present a storeman in a firm at Ballarat. In 1857 I was at Guilford, near Pennyweight. I was with a mate named. Hypolite Riesa, gunsmith. I remember George Dyer and Wilson. They were working together. -.Dyer was a very small man with dark hair (the description exactly corresponded with the prisoner at the bar). Wilson was bigger and stouter built, but not very fat. He had dark brown hair. A bout the end of that year Dyer left Pennyweight. I was more intimate with him than Wilson. About a year after I met Dyer. I think Wilson said he had been a sailor. Dyer, I should think, is 35, and had piercing eyes, and was very excited when irritated. Another witne-s said : I was employed in duck shooting at the time in question. I know the hole at Mia-mia Creek. It is the only- well near there used for drinking purposes. A tent was fixed near the spot, occupied by two men, who peeped out suspiciously when I passed. I passed the tent on my return, and it was stripped. Shortly afterwards the body was found in the well. Sir Thomas Henry finally cautioned the prisoner, and asked him if lie wished to make any statement. The prisoner, in a firm and clear voice : When I made the statement, Sir Thomas, I was certainly out of my mind. I wish to say that no quarrel ever occurred between George Wilson and me, and I certainly never killed him or any other man. But even assuming my statement to be correct, it contradicts in time and place the circumstances of the murder at Miamia Creek. I wish to say nothing further. Sir Thomas Henry then committed the prisoner to take his trial in Australia, and in answer to the prisoner said that there would be as little delay as possible.