The Sun. — 1848-08-08 (London, England)

POLICE INTELLIGENCE. CLERKENWELL.  William Merrick, a sullen looking fellow, who was described in the police sheet as a labourer employed at the General Post-office, was charged with the 410 murder of Amelia Merrick, his wife. _ Joseph Lawrence, having been sworn, deposed that he resided at No. 2, London-passage, Whitecross-street, j St. Luke's. On Sunday afternoon, ust before two o'clock, he was in his parlour, when he was attracted by a noise and scuffling outside. On looking out of the window he saw._ the prisoner dragging a female (now deceased) by the left arm, in a violent manner. She was trying to get away from him, and saying, "I will go with you. The prisoner said nothing, bat seizing her by both arms near the shoulders, dashed her head against a wall and some railings. He was in a passion. Ho repeated his violence, and put his knee against her stomach, and struck her with all his force, when she fell down, and never afterwards uttered a word or a cry. The prisoner let her lie there, when several neighbours proceeded to her assistance. A woman said to him, " You have killed your wife." The prisoner, replied. " Then go and get some brandy and drink it all round. I will pay for a bottle.of brandy if she is dead." The crowd followed him, telling him that his wife was dead. A surgeon was immediately sent for, when the prisoner and others helped the body into a house. The doctor arrived, but the woman was quite dead. Mr. COMM asked the prisoner if he wished to put any questions to this witness ? Prisoner (crying)—He has told many things very false. I never dashed her against the railings. The witness added, that during the whole of the time he was ill-treating the deceased he was smoking a cigar. Charlotte Westbury deposed; that at about two o'clock on Sunday afternoon she saw the deceased lying on the ground in London-passage. The prisoner took hold of her arms and dashed the back part of her head against the wall and some railings. She fell down. Witness told him his wife was dead. He replied, " Go, and get some brandy, and we'll soon see whether she is dead." He then lifted her up, and placed her head between his knees. He forced his knees against deceased's stomach in a violent manner, whilst her back was against the railings. She then fell down. Caroline Miles gave similar testimony. James Hooker, of No. 5, London-passage, deposed that he is a .packing-case maker, gain confirmatory evidence, and added that the prisoner struck deceased a most desperate blow on the head with his clenched fist, when she fell down on the ground insensible and motionless. William Taylor, glass-cutter, Barbican, deposed that he saw the prisoner and the deceased together at halfpast ten o'clock on. Sunday morning, when the prisoner handed her some money, and told her to get his dinner ready by one o'clock. Witness was in London-passage about two o'clock, when he saw the prisoner strike her on the bead with his clenched fist, and knock her down. Heard him' 'ay, "I told you to have my dinner ready at one o'clock." He then lifted her up, and dashed her head against the wall, and some iron railings. Witness saw her fall insensible on the ground. Richards, 77 G, apprehended the prisoner. Witness said he hal been informed that he had killed his wife. He denied the charge, saying he did not strike her head agailist the rait hies v.. ucr s tnnuallea with the prisoner all night in his cell. He said it was a very bad job. He was very sorry. He little thought it would have come to that occurrence when he came out in the morning to look after his wife. Witness cautioned him that he need not say anything to him. Mr. Parker, surgeon, deposed that he was called upon to examine the body of the deceased, which lay at a house in London-passage. She was quite dead. Mr. COMBE now asked the prisoner if he wished to say anything in defence of the charge. He was no bound to do so. He declined saying anything a present. Mr. CONDE then remanded the prisoner for a week.