The Sun. — 1858-07-12 (London, England)

THE DAGENHAM MURDER.  On Saturday moraing George Blewitt, a farm labourer, was brought up for the third time before a full bench of magistrates, at the Court-house adjoining Ilford Gaol, Essex, charged with being concerned with several persons in the murder of Geo. Clarke, a police constable of the K division, who wa, iuun.l 1 ,1-n 1 n'l mrifilated in acorn-field in the parish of Dagenham, on tne evouing .L day, July 3, 1846. Mr. Rawlings, solicitor, of Romford, appeared for the prisoner.  Mr. superintendent Howie, of the K and Inspector Whicher, of the detective force, were in attendance on the part of the Metropolitan Police Commissioners.  The Chairman addressed Inspector Whicher, who had charge of the case since the prisoner's apprehension, and asked him if he had been able to obtain any additional evidence in connexion with the murder ?  Inspector Whicher answered in the negative, and said that be and other officers had been engaged, but they had not succeeded in getting any other testimony. The rumours that were in circulation last week were unfounded. If they had been true they would have been highly important in the case. The Chairman.—Then you have no other evidence to bring before the bench?  Inspector 'Vlaicher.—No, excepting that this morning, just before I entered the court, the witness Smith said that she had something more to say. I told her that she had better not tell me, but state what she bad to say before the magistrates. The Chairman—ls the witness Smith here ? Inspector Whicher—Yes, Sir. The woman Smith was here interrogated, and on being sworn was allowed a seat near the bench. The Chairman—What have you to say in addition to your last statement ? Witness—l am certain that George Blewitt is the second man who struck the policeman Clarke. The Chairman (to the chief clerk)—Then let the depositions be read over. The clerk having done so, the witness Smith said---I also saw Airs. Blewitt and Henry Blewitt, the son, at the cottage on the night of the murder. I did not see Mrs. Blewitt afterwards. The Chairman—Who is Henry Blewitt ? Mr. Rawlings, the solicitor (to the prisoner)— Henry Blewitt is your son ? Prisoner—Yes, sir.  The chief clerk then inquired if there were any other questions to be asked of the witnesses, when Inspector Whicher said there was one other question he wished to put to the witness Archer, who made a statement on Monday week last that he saw the deceased (Clarke) late on the night of the murder pass his (Archer's) house, while at the inquest held upon the body of deceased he (Archer) lead stated quite the contrary. Archer was recalled, and said he did see the deceased on the night in question. Inspector Whicher said—l apprehended the prisoner in the parish of Dagenham, Essex, on the 29th of June last, where I charged him with being concerned with other persons in the murder of George Clarke, when he replied, "I will go with you, fcr I am quits sure that she (Mrs. Smith) cannot say anything to hurt me." Mr. Rawlings here rose, and wished to ask Mrs. Smith why she had not informed the Court before that Mrs. Blewitt and her son were present at the cottage on the night of the murder? Mrs. Smith, in reply, said—Because I had forgotten it.  The Chairman said, as they had no other evidence, he and his colleagues would retire, and after an absence of 20 minutes they returned into court. Upon resuming his seat the Chairman said—We have determined that this important and mysterious case, which has attracted so much public notice, shall be submitted to another tribunal. The prisoner was then addressed by the Chairman, and cautioned in the usual form, when he said, " I am not guilty of it." After a few words from the Chairman, the prisoner was removed from the bar. • The whole of the witnesses were then bound over to prosecute, and the trial was appointed to take place at the ensuing assizes at Chelmsford.  NEW Swiss