npedrazzini/19thc_murder_suicide_news huggingface dataset:
The Sun. — 1859-11-26 (London, England)

SMETHURST'S CASE.—LAW AND MEDICINE.— The Home Secretary has recognised the duties of the position in which inexorable logic has placed him in reference to the case of Smethurst. A jury had declared this man guilty of murder. The extra-judicial and very keen analysis of the evidence had so shaken confidence in the justice of the verdict, that Sir G. C. Lewis felt it to be his duty to stay the execution of the convict. Having gone so far, it became necessary to follow out his decision to its consequences. He had, in the belief that the sentence was unjust, arrested the course of the law ; he had rescued the condemned man from the punishment decreed for the crime of which he was declared guilty : how could he consistently inflict another punishment.? A secondary punishment could only be inflicted either for the crime of which, by reprieving him, it was acknowledged that Smethurst was innocent, or, at least, not proved to be guilty ; or for some other crime for which he had not been tried. Sir G. C. Lewis has fairly mot the difficulty. He has granted a free pardon for the crime of murder, and has instituted a prosecution against Smethurst for the offence of bigamy. If punishment is to be undergone, it shall be on fresh conviction, after a special trial. By this course, it is to be hoped that the action of our criminal code will be sufficiently reconciled to the dictates of reason.—Lancet.  MlNES.—There has been a good deal of fluctuation and excitement in the Mining Share Market this week, but scarcely an average amount of bona fide business transacted. Speculating for the " account" in one or two of the mines offering peculiar facilities for the operation, and which seem to be worked up and down to suit certain " books," has, since our last, been the prominent feature in the market. Copper is advancing, and there seems a very general impression that it will rise considerably, and we should io,,k forward, therefore, to more business in good dividend mines. South Caradon shares have still been sought after by parties connected with the locality, and they leave off at 255 to 265 ; we have not been able to learn the truth otherwise of the report of a new lode being cut, as ncticed last week. West Caradon have slightly given way, and leave off at 155 to HO. Wheal Trelawny have been in request, and have advanced to 29+, 3N. Mary Ann hay;,) risen to 35, 37%. Herodsfoot flatter, at to 171, and very little business doing. Wheal Buller more dealt in, at 110 to 1121. Devon Great Consols, 425 to 435 ; at the meeting, a dividend of £8 per share was do. dared for the two months. Ilingston Down, after being flat for some time, became in demand on Thursday, left off at 4.-} 1. East Russell shares have been way fluctuating, and such a strong feeling has been excited against the management at the mine, that an investigation, we think, must take place before public confidence, so much shaken by the jobbing transactions in this company, can be in any way restored. We hoar tne Stock Exchange men have declined to deal in the mine again' and we do not wonder at it,—Mining Journal, of this day.
The Sun. — 1859-04-05 (London, England)

THE Q UEENBORO UGH MURDER.  Our readers will remember that at the late assizes for the county of Kent a young man named Fredk. Prentice was indicted for the murder of a young girl, named Emma Coppins, at Queenborough, by cutting her throat. The evidence clearly established the guilt of the prisoner, and indeed he never attempted to deny that he was the author of the crime, and when he was placed at the bar before Mr. Baron Martin he pleaded guilty to the charge, and although the learned judge earnestly impressed upon him the serious consequences that would inevitably result from such a plea, he persisted in it, and the prisoner was thereupon sentenced to be executed. The unhappy young man, who is only twenty years of age, his victim being only seventeen, appears to have conducted himself in the most exemplary manner ever since he has been in the gaol at Maidstone, and has paid the most earnest attention to the discourses of the Rev. Mr. King, the chaplain of the gaol; and it also appears that since he has been in prison he has learned to read and write. The only motive that can be assigned for the commission of the dreadful crime by the prisoner appears to be that he was deeply attached to the deceased, and that she had rejected his addresses, and, in fact, for some reason or other, she appeared to be afraid of the prisoner, and always seemed desirous to shun him ; and, finding that there was no likelihood of his inducing her to become his wife, he came to the desperate resolve to destroy her, and carried out that intention in the manner alluded to. It appears that some communication took place between Mr. Baron Martin and the gaol authorities after the sentence of death had been passed on the prisoner, during which the learned judge stated that, if any steps were taken to procure a commutation of the capital punishment, and the Home Secretary should think fit to save the life of the culprit, he should not stand in the way of such a course being taken. A copy of the depositions was sent to the Home Secretary, and on Saturday, Mr. Palmer, the under-sheriff for the county of Kent, went to the Home-office to ascertain what decision had been come to, and he was informed that, upon a careful review of all the circumstances connected with the case, and the facts contained in the depositions, the Secretary of State for the Hume Department could not see any ground for recommending the prisoner to the mercy of the Crown, and that the law, therefore, must take its course. A notification to that effect was sent down to Maidstone on the same day, and it was communicated to the prisoner, who received the dreadful intelligence with the same calmness that he has evinced ever since he has been in custody. The execution will take place on Thursday next, at 12 o'clock.
The Sun. — 1859-03-25 (London, England)

THE MURDER NEAR BOSTON.  The following confession has been made by Pickett, one of the men charged with the murder of William Stevenson : " Myself and Carey left the public-house on the evening in question, between ten and eleven o'clock, and went towards the house of my father, who had gone to bed. We then crossed the drain in a boat of my father's, at the request of Carey, to go to Sands's for two rabbits he had shot. As we went Carey drew a large stake up, and told me to do the same, as he said we might be attacked by dogs, but I would not. When we had got a little distance, we overtook Mr. Stevenson. Carey said Let's kill the old b-- • he's got some money.' I advised him not, but 'he went up to him and hit him on the right side of the head, wen think knocked him down, and sat on his head, and put his ham. in his pocket and took the money out, and then got up and hit him three or four times with the stick. He then said Take hold of his head,' but I would not, and he said, ' If you don't I'll serve you the same.' I then helped him to throw the deceased into the sewer ; he picked up his stick •, the old man stood up in the dyke, and he went and struck him two or three times more ; the old man climbed up the bank on the other side, and I went round to help him up ; but Carey came round the other way, and with a stick knocked him down again, and struck him seven or eight times, breaking the stick which he used to atoms. The old man tried to get up, but Carey struck him with a hedge-stake until he was dead, and then trailed him to the hedge next th esewer dyke, and said to me 'take hold of his -legs and we'll throw him into the sewer.' I said what for, let him be.' He then reared him up on his head on the hedge layers and tumbled him into the sewer; ho went on towards Mr. Stevenson's house, and I went to Joseph Coates' house ; when I got on the bank Carey overtook me, and said the old man is dead, he does not stir in the water at all.' I've got £1 2s. 6d., and a handful of papers and two bags. We went to my ather's seven-acre gate, and he hid them there under some grass, on the bank side against the tunnel. We then went on to my father's boat, and crossed the river in it. I said I would go home, and as Carey waited to go with me, I wouldn't take him, and so we went to Sands's house across the fields, as he was afraid the policeman would see us if we went round by the road. I slept in Sands's outhouse, and Carey in the beast-hovel. I awoke early in the morning, and went to him about halfpast five. Mr. Sands came into the hovel and tumbled over my foot. We then went to Richardson's (the Ship publichouse), and there Carey pulled out two bags he had taken from Stevenson, and the stolen money, and put it in the bags, and also a stone, and threw them all into Richardson's pit. I afterwards left him and went home."
The Sun. — 1859-03-25 (London, England)

THE MURDER NEAR BOSTON.  The following confession has been made by Pickett, one of the men charged with the murder of William Stevenson :- " Myself and Carey left the public-house on the evening in question, between ten and eleven o'clock, and went towards the house of my father, who had gone to bed. We then crossed the drain in a boat of my father's, at the request of Carey, to go to Santh's for two rabbits he had shot. As we went Carey drew a large stae up, and told me to do the same, as he said we might be attacked by dogs, but I would not. When we had got a little distance, we overtook Mr. Stevenson. Carey said ' Let's kill the old b-; I think he's got some money.' I advised him not, but he went up to him and hit him on the right side of the head, and knocked him down, and sat on his head, and put his hands in his pocket and took the money out, and then got up and hit him three or four times with the stick. He then said Take hold of his head,' but I would not, and he said, If you don't I'll serve you the same.' I then helped him to throw the deceased into the sewer ; he picked up his stick ; the old man stood up in the dyke, and he went and struck him two or three times more ; the old man climbed up the bank on the other side, and I went round to help him up ; but Carey came round the other way, and with a stick knocked him down again, and struck him seven or eight times, breaking the stiok which he used to atoms. The old man tried to get up, but Carey struck him with a hedge-stake until he was dead, and then trailed him to the hedge next th e sewer dyke, and said to me take hold of his legs and we'll throw him into the sewer.' I said what for, let him be' He then reared him up on his head on the hedge layers and tumbled him into the sewer; he went on towards Mr. Stevenson' shouse, and I went to Joseph Coates' house when I got on the bank Carey overtook me, and said the old man is dead, he does not stir in the water at all.' I've got £1 2s. 6d., and a handful of papers and two bags. We went to my father's seven-acre gate, and he hid them there under some grass, on the bank side against the tunnel. We then went on to my father's boat, and crossed the river in it. I said I would go home, and as Carey waited to go with me, I wouldn't take him, and so we went to Sands's house across the fields, as he was afraid the policeman would see us if we went round by the road. I slept in Sands's outhouse, and Carey in the beast-hovel. I awoke early in the morning, and went to him about halfpast five. Mr. Sands came into the hovel and tumbled over my foot. We then went to Richardson's (the Ship publichouse), and there Carey pulled out two bags he had taken from Stevenson, and the stolen money, and put it in the bags, and also a stone, and threw them all into Richardson's pit. I afterwards left him and went home."
The Sun. — 1859-01-13 (London, England)

THE CAPTURE OF THOMAS BLACK. The following account of the capture of Thomas Black, the murderer of his wife, is taken from the papers : • ‘ Thomas Black, the husband of the unfortunate woman who was found murdered in Deane•street, onlSunday morning, was yesterday morning ar-, rested ; or, perhaps it may more properly be said dehvered himself up. It appears that the remains of the murdered woman were brought for interment ye4terday morning to Glasnevin Cemetery, and we •e followed by a numerous concourse. Among thEl spectators. Black was observed, after the funeral, by two men, one of whom first pointed him out to his companion, and, going over to the wretched man, laid his hand upon Ins -shoulder, and teld'him thqt he was ' a Queen's prisoner,' and that there was no use in offering any resistance. He then accompanied them quietly until.they came to policesergeant Delany, into whose custody he was delivered. Another account of the transaction represents that Black first called out the names of the two men, whom he knew, being in the same trade, and that they thereupon stopped the car on which they were returning home, and that he then gaie himself up to them, observing that he could not rest. It is evident that he attended the-funeral with the intention of surrendering himself to justice, being impelled probably by feelings of remorse. He, was immediately brought to Chancery-lane station-house, where his pockets were searched, and on 'his person weilta found a pair of long, sharppointed scissors a putty-knife, a sharp trowel, a wide-bladed knife, and two newspapers, containing the, account of the murder and the proceedings at the inquest yesterday. It is conjectured that the murder was perpetrated with the scissors. He stated that he had read the newspapers, and knew that he had no chance of escape, asserting at the same time, however, that he knew nothing whatever of the crime he is charged with, as he was quite drunk on Saturday night, and that he did not know his wife was dead till he saw her in the morning. A messenger having been. despatched for Mr. Hyndman, city coroner, he soon attended at the station-house, accompanied by Surgeon Porter. Colonel Lake, chief of the police force, was also present, and at his request Mr. Porter examined the clothes worn by the prisoner, and found that the back of his shirt and the flannel vest which he wore were stained with blood. The form of committal upon the coroner's warrant on a charge of wilful murder, pursuant to the finding of the coroner's jury, was then made out, and the prisoner —who is a middle-sized, dogged, and dirty-looking man, about 35 years of age—was conveyed away in a covered car to Richmond Bridewell, amid the execrations of a dense concourse of the lower, classes, who soon got word of his arrest, and congregated about the vicinity of the station-house. A large crowd also assembled in front of the head policeoffice, supposing that he would be brought up there, eager to catch a glimpse of him before his removal to the gaol. He will be tried at the next commis-sion, which will open on the Bth February."
The Sun. — 1859-02-14 (London, England)

MURDER BY A LUNATIC AT HAN WELL ASYLUM.  On Saturday a most deplorable event, which has taken place at Hanwell. County Lunatic Asylum, was investigated by the local bench of magistrates, and subsequently by Mr. Wakley, the coroner. On Thursday morning a man named William Roberts and another man named John Brady were taken out as usual, with about twenty other patients, for the purpose of being employed, under the superintendence of James Birch, one of the gardeners, in spade husbandry. Roberts, who is 28 years of age, has been in the asylum 14 years, and having three years ago made a sudden attack upon a fellowpatient, he was considered a dangerous lunatic, and was therefore, while at work, kept twenty yards from any other inmate. On Thursday morning Brady happened to both' next to Robert, who was working a large iron pronged fork. Suddenly hearing a noise, Birch, the gardener; on. turning round, saw poor Brady on the ground, and Roberts belabouring him about the head with the iron pronged fork with all his might. On assistance going to the spot Brady's head and face were found covered with blood, and one of his eyes laid out of its socket upon his cheek. Roberts was immediately secured, and Mr. Begby, the medical officer sent for, who had Brady removeei. to the infixmary and put into a warm bath, bu t he was found to be dead. On taking the accused to his room, Birch said to him, " William, are you not sorry that you have committed such a :rash act on a brother patient ? " to which he replied, " I meant to kill some one." The magistrates felt it their duty to commit the accused to New gate for trial on the charge of murder, but as the c oroner was about to sit, directed that his removal should not take place till the inquest had been held. Before the pry Mr. Begby, the surgeon, proved that the injuries were the cause of death, and that the accused was an epileptic patient, who beca me exceedingly violent before his fits, and that he vas not responsible for his acts. e added that if there was all increase of the medical staff, each patient might be inspected every morning before going to work. The coroner, in summing up, expressed his conviction that it would be useless to put the county to the expense of sending the irresponsible being thejurY had had before them for trial, as no jury in tbe. world could convict him on the capital charge 01 wilful murder. The jury concurred with the coroner, and returned a verdict of m isadventure, at' taching thereto the following :—" The jury sitting on the inquest on John Brady would earnestly recommend that no patient who has committed anY serious assault on any person should never after, while kept in the asylum, be entrusted with all tool or instrument with which he could inflict anY serious injury on any other patient, or upon anY officer." The jury also recommend that the meal' cal staff of the asylum shall be strengthened, in order that the patients may be subjected to a more frequent medical inspection." Notwithstanding this verdict, the accused was subsequently removed to Newgate on the magistrate's warrant.  CO
The Sun. — 1859-09-12 (London, England)

THE CASE OF DR. SZKETHURS7.  It would seem that the authorities at the Home Office are in great difficulty as to the course that should be taken with the prisoner, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, and not the slightest intimation has been given as to what is likely to be his ultimate fate.  A good many persons appear to think that as the fact of his being reprieved necessarily implies a serious doubt of his guilt, the prisoner ought to receive a free pardon, but there is no doubt that such a result is quite out of the question, and it is a very common practice in cases where there is no doubt that the act was committed by the prisoner, fur the capital sentence to be commuted to one of penal servitude or transportation for life; and among many instances of this, there may be cited the cases of Corrigan, for the murder of his wife in the Minories ; Kirwan, for the murder of his wife at Dublin by drown!ng ; and that of the woman Rutter, who was convicted at the summer assizes of the murder of her husband by cutting his throat. In all these cases the punishment of death was commuted to penal servitude for life, and if a similar course were taken with regard to Dr. Smethurst, it would be quite in accordance with tjie precedent that has been established. According to the gaol regulations, in the case of every prisoner who is under sentence of death, the governor of the prison is bound to have persons in charge of the culprit night and day during the interval before the execution. This was done with Dr. Smethurst until the receipt of the reprieve • but since then this surveillance has been taken off, and the prisoner is treated as an ordinary convict. He has no opportunity of associating with other criminals, as Horsemonger-lane gaol, where he is confined, has recently undergone extensive alterations, in order to carry out the separate system of confinement, and he is in all respects treated as an ordinary criminal. Before he was reprieved, he was visited by his brother, under a special order of the magistrates, but he now sees him, as any other prisoner would be visited, at the times fixed by the visiting justices, and he is the only person who has seen the prisoner since his conviction, except his attorney, Mr. Humphrys, who, it appears, only saw him upon one occosion. The prisoner still continues to assert in the most  earnest manner his entire and absolute innocence of all participation in causing the death of Miss Bankes, and there appears very little doubt that he is strongly impressed with the idea that he shall receive a pardon.. He has addressed several letters to the Home Secretary, and in one of these communications it is said that he states that he cannot prove his innocence unless he is set at liberty, and declares that if he has this opportunity he will prove conclusively that he is entirely innocent of the crime of which he has been convicted.  TRUE VALUE OF THE SIGNS OF DISEASE FOUND IN THE BODY OF _MISS
The Sun. — 1859-09-12 (London, England)

THE LEEDS MURDER.  The examinat'ou of the prisoner Normington was resumed on Saturday morning at the Leeds Town Hall, before Ralph Markland, Esq., and .other magistrates. Bearder was also brought up on remand.  After several witnesses had been examined, and the depositions had been read, the persons in the dock were ordered to sit down, and Mr. Barr told the prisoner that he was charged with the murder of Richard Broughton, on the 6th of August, near Roundhay. Mr. Markland then charged the prisoner in the usual way, and Mr. Barr asked him if he had anything to say. The prisoner replied " Yes ; well, it was not me that did it ; and after observing that he was relieving himself as the old man passed, he continued— Just after I had got down I heard, the old man scream, and I jumped up and saw -the old man sit down against the stoop in the foot road. I ran with my breeches down. There was another man standing over him with a stick over his shoulder. Then I ran, and the other man overtodk me in Foundrylane, and when we had got a little past there he showed me a watch, and I asked him where he had got it, and he said he had pushed yon old man do xn, and then hit him with a stick on the side of the head and maddled him. I said to him, " Where's the stick ?" and he said " I have thrown it away." I said to him, " Have you hurt him?" and he replied, "No." I told him that I had seen a drop of blood running down his cheek as I set off running, and I said to him " Thou murderer ! if I had known, I would not have come up fields with thee ;" and he replied, " Thou has no occasion to be frightened as long as it is me that's done it." I said, " Well, I know thee, and can tell thee when I see thee," and he replied, " The next time thou sees me it will be in a farther country." I said, " Well, it doesn't choose where I see, I shall know thee." The prisoner was next charged with stealing the watch.  The Prisoner—l have nothing to say on that charge.  Mi. Barr—There is a distinct charge that you robbed the man. The Prisoner—l did not rob the man. The other man did, and. I did not know of it until he had done it.  The Bench then committed the prisoner for trial at the assizes on both charges. The man Bearder was next ordered to stand up, and  Mr. Markland said—There is not sufficient evi• dence against you on this charge, and, you are therefore discharged, so far as this case is concerned. If any other evidence transpires we shall know where to find you. Bearder asked if he could not have his clothes hack with him ; upon which Mr. English said they were in the custody of the West Riding police.