The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1880-10-30 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONER.  At the Hammenrmith Police-court, before Mr. Shell, George Pavey, a painter, was brought up in custody, charged with the wilful mardet of Ada Shepherd, aged ten years, the daughter of John Shepherd, a decorator, carrying on business in Cowper-road, Acton. Mr. Superintendent Eccles, of the X Division, watched the case on behalf of the police. The prisoner was placed in the dock. He had a juvenile appearance, as he was clean shaved. He placed a low-crowned hat on the dock, and listened attentively to the evidence. The father of the deceased was sworn. He was much affected, and gave his evidence in a low voice. He said: The prisoner worked for me. I left him painting in my yard while I went with my wife to Norwood-junction to see her mother. I left at half-past eleven in tbemorning, and told him to give an eye to the place. I returned home with my wife at half-past six in the evening. I found the place in darkness, and I thought I had gone to the wrong house. I opened the door with a latch-key, and the first thing I came tenon was my daughter, lying in the kitchen. She would' have been eleven in December next. I found her in front of the fire-plarte, lying on her back, with a handkerchief over her head. I ran first across the road for matches. When I came back I lit the gas. She was lying under the gas in front of the fireplace. Mr. Sheil: How far from the fireplace? Witness: About three feet. Mr. Sheil : Was she dead at that time? Withers: Oh, yes. When I pulled the handkerchief off her face, of course I could see her throat cut. There were no signs of a struggle. A gentleman fetched the doctor. I and called the police. Mr. Eccles here suggested a question as to the state of the bedroom. The father said he found the bedroom door broken open. He kept a wooden box in the room unlocked. In the box he kept a till locked. It had teen broken open by a screw-driver. He had not left any money in it. The prisoner was aware he had sold a house, and he told him that he had a cheque for it. The Prisoner: You never told me you had a cheque. Mr. Shell : That is not a question. Prisoner: I have nothing else to Bay. Mr. Clement Frederick Fenn Murrell, a surgeon, who was called to the deceased, said be found a penetrating wound in the throat, extending from left to right, showing that she had been stabbed right through. A white-handled • table-knife was produced, and the doctor said the wound had been indicted by an internment of that description. He added that the deceased appeared to have been dead between three and four hours. The face was generally bruised and swollen, apparently by continual pressure. Inspector Santee deposed that he was at Paddington Ellice - station when the prisoner was brought there in custody. He showed him the hailikerchief, which was stained with blood. and said it was found on the face of the murdered girl. Ho said, "That is my handkerchief; I put. it there." Ile then showed the knife. He said, "I know nothing al:out that.' When the charge was read over to him he said, "Yee, very well." He then extim:ned hiselehes, and found spots and smears of bliod Irwin them. Witness said, " Do you me these spots of blood on y...ur ehirt and trousers? They will be used in ev;denee j against you." The prisoner looked a! the ehirt end I said " Yes." Mr. Shell then remanded the prisoner j for a week. The prisoner was remoied willmut I saying a word.