The Sun. — 1861-12-07 (London, England)

MURDER. The case of Jemima Morgan was called on this morning. Jemima Morgan, otherwise Elizabeth Thompson, 19, servae+. % fnn. nt,qr whittinr,ton, was indicted with having at the city and borough or unester, on the 27th October last, feloniously, wilfully, and of her malice aforethought, killed and murdered one George Henry Davies. The prisoner was also charged on the coroner's inquisition with the same offence. She is a fine interesting-looking young woman, and was respectably attired. She pleaded not guilty in an almost inaudible tone. While in the infirmary the prisoner volunteered the following statement to the surgeon, as he was walking with her up and down the ward:— " I went to Liverpool with George Henry Davies yesterday, After being there some time we had some refreshment, and took a late train to Chester. During our journey he showed me a bottle which he said contained laudanum, and he said he was determined to poison himself. I said, you shall do no such thing,' and at the same time took the bottle from his hands, and emptied it out of the window, saying ' You never shall, for if you do I'll die also.' From the refreshment-room at the Chester station we walked to Mrs. Wasem's. About eight o'clock we went back to Frodsham-street, and he wrote a prescription, which the boy of the house took to the nearest druggist's, in Foregate-street. About 11 o'clock we went upstairs and sat in our room. After being there about a quarter of an hour Davies again expressed his wish to take the poison. We then agreed that he should pour out my portion, and that I should pour out his. He saw that I delayed to touch the glass when the fluid was poured out, and he said I will take all of it. We then filled our glasses with some beer we had purchased while walking along the streets. I still failed to touch mine, and he leaned over as if to take all of it. I then took it up and swallowed the whole contents of the glass—the beer and laudanum mixed. He then swallowed his portion. We got into bed, and in about a quarter of an hour after he began to breathe rather heavily. I became alarmed, got up, and called for assistance. Two persons who were in the house came upstairs immediately, and seeing the state in which we were sent off for a surgeon. On his arrival he recommended them to convey us to the infirmary. I did not give Davies the laudanum ;he took up the glass and swallowed the contents. I put in his glass about two ounces, and I believe he put the same quantity in mine. I had been living with him about three weeks. He gave me this ring (pi educed). He came from Shropshire. He has had a great deal of money lately, with which he was to have set up in business, but instead of doing so he has spent it. All this caused him to despond very much ; and on that account he determined to do away with himself. He has been doing nothing for the last three months ; before that time he was assistant with a chemist at Rhyl. I have been in Chester about six months. I did not know Davies before he made my acquaintance. I left home because I hated my father—ho behaved very badly towards his family. I have several brothers and sisters. lam determined never to return home." She then said " I wish to know how Henry is," and on being told that he was asleep, she remarked " I wish to die with him ;" and inquired " How is it the poison has taken such an effect upon him and not upon me ? I wish it had." After the summing up of the judge the jury found the prisoner not guilty, and the announcement was received with cheering, waving of hats, &c.