The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1877-05-25 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE PENGE MYSTERY. THE SUMMING-UP OF THE OORONER.  VERDIOT OF WILFUL MURDER AGAINST FOUR DEFENDANTS. The proceedings connected with the inquiry into the death of Harriet S. Staunton were resumed on Saturday, before Mr. 0. J. Carttar, coroner. Mr. Percy Gye represented the husband; Mr. Straight appeared on behalf of Mr. P. Staunton ; and Mr. Poland, instructed by Mr. Pollard, watched the rase for the ireasiary. Mr Louis Staunton was calle.l, but did not_apprar..  The Coroner, It was thoroughly understood that Mr. Louis Staunton WM to be here when he should be called upon to-day. Mr. Gye: I understood that the witnesses would be atm mooed by the police. . .  The Coroner: Itwq understood that these persons were to be here to be ready to appear when called upon. Mr Gye; I asked you, sir, to give proper instructions for the witnesses being rummoned. Mr. Poland: Nothtug con he clearer, sir, than your instruc'ions. Mr. Louis Staunton gave aft the only reason for his not being here on a prevloui oc:asion the excitement which prevailed on the subect. Mr. Gye: That is the reason why he doe, not appear now. .  The Coroner: And I said that I would take care that proper protection should be afforded him. Mr. (lye: Ile thinks he should not come here to subject himself to indignity similar to that which he 'Bettered the other day. There is hut a very small force of pollee, and there is &great crowd outside. The Coroner The police force is quite strong enough to protect Mr. Louis Staunton in case of necessity. Is was his duty to be hero, and If the case lasted a mouth be should be here every day. Mr P. Staunton was then called, but did not appear. Mr. Straight : I fear we are only going through a dramatic pen f ormance. The Coroner : Whether it be a dramatic performance or not, it is my duty to go through it. Mr. Straight I may say at once that Mr. P. Staunton Is not here by iny advice. It would be affectation on my part, after the cross-examinition to which he was exposed, to doubt what the jury meant to Co with him. The Coroner: You have no right to say that with reference to the conduct of the jury, Mr. Straight: It would be affectation on my part to , say that the jury have not formed a very dectded opinion. I say plainly and at once that Mr. Staunton Is likely tube placed in the position of a defendant,and he has had no caution administered to him. The Coroner; It was not legally necessary to caution the witnessMr Poland: He has bad every opportunity of explaining his conduct. The Coroner: 'This Is a court of investigation, and the depositions taken on occasions of this sort have , been actually admitted in the superior courts over and over again. Mr. Straight: I do not question that. The Coroner: in one case the murderer sat in the board room unknown, and gave his deposition of his iwn free will, and the depositien was admitted. Mr. Straight: Ido not dispute that. 1 eicoply state he advice I have given to Ur. P. Stauuton. Clara Brown and Alice Rhodes were called, bat did aot appear. Mr. Straight: My observation applied only to Mr. P. Staunton. Mr. Gya: And mine only applies to Mr. Louis Staunton. Mr. Straight: It is very wrong that the women are not here.