The Sun. — 1854-03-27 (London, England)

LIRBAROUS MURDER AND ROBBERY—SENTENCE OP DEATH. William. Thompson, aged 21, was indicted for the wilful murder of Lorenz Beha, an Italian, a travelling jeweller, and stealing from his person two 51. notes, and divers other monies, of the value of 151. The murder was one of a most atrocious character. The deceased resided in Norwich, where he kept a watchmakers' and jewellers' shop. He was in the habit of travelling the country with a box of watches, trinkets, &c., &c. On Monday, the 14th of November, he left Norwich, on one of his monthly journeys. The last time he was seen alive was on Friday, the 18th of November, about half-past twelve, when he called upon a person at Wellingham. A little after three that same afternoon, a person passing along the road from Wellingham to Tittleshall, observed a pool of blood. He followed the track to a place in the fence by the side of the road, where something appeared to have been dragged through. He went over the fence, and on the other side found the dead body of Beha. Near the body he found an p.xe, which had blood upon it and a very small portion of hair. The body was examined, and a deep wound was noticed on the back of the head, as if inflicteiii by an axe, and which was sufficient to account for death. On the body being turned over, three similar wounds were seen in the face, any of which would prove fatal. The pockets of the deceased had been turned out and were empty. His box of jewellery was lying by his side, but it had not been broken open. It would appear that the murder had been committed between half-past twelve and halfpast three on the Friday afternoon. Inquiries were then instituted, and it was ascertained that the prisoner, who is a labouring man, living with his father at Tittleshall, was seen near the spot between twelve and one, and that he had an axe under his arm. He was again seen about half-past one coming from the road where the murder was committed ; he appeared hot, as if he had been walking fast, and he had no axe under his arm. Later in the day he paid two sums of money, and he was noticed to be dressed different to what he was in the morning. That same night he was apprehended, and by his bedside were found a pair of trowsers, which were spotted with blood from the knee to the bottom of the legs. The slop (smock frock) he wore was stained with blood, as also the trowsers' pocket. On the following morning a watch was found in an old oven in the cottage where the prisoner lived, and the deceased's purse under the roof of an outhouse. In the purse were found two watches, two 51. notes, and about Si. in gold and silver. It was learned that the deceased bad recently given change for two 51. notes, which were proved to be those in the purse. Much circumstantial and confirmatory evidence was adduced as to the prisoner's excited demeanour at the period of the murder, and the axe found near the body was said to resemble one which belonged to his father, and a few days after he had been committed to Norwich Castle he sent for Mr. Peirson, the governor, and made a long rambling statement, to the effect, that as he was walking along he saw a large pool of blood by the side of the road, and observed the track of it to the fence, where something had been (ragged through. He looked over into the ditch, and saw a man standing over the body. He was the same man he had seen in a plantation just before. His hands were wet and covered with blood. He said he would go and tell somebody, and the man caught hold of his trousers and daubed his legs, and swore he would chop him down if he said anything about it. He told him he would not. The man then took out the deceased's purse and gave it to him, and told him to go. The man was blind with one eye, and wore a Tom and Jerry hat, and said his name was Walter Edding. The jury found the prisoner guilty. His lordship then put on the black cap, and in the usual terms left the convict for execution.