Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1887-10-15 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

HIS CURATE.  EMITTED  - The Rev. Arthur Gilbert-Cooper, curate of Cretingham. Suffolk, has been brought up on remand at Framlingham Police-court, charged with the murder of his vicar, the Rev. W. Farley, of Cretinghaus. Five magistrates were on the bench, and both the prisoner and Mrs. Farley were represented by solicitors. The prisoner appeared to be quite composed. Mr. Moseley, for the prosecution, related the particulars of the murder. He said the law presumed malice in such a case, and it was not for him to suggests motive, but there were several very strange circumstances connected with the occurrence.  The magistrates clerk handed to the magistrates a letter from the resident surgeon of an asylum, who ' said that the prisoner had been under his care suffering from homicidal mania so strongly develoced that I his removal to another institution was necessary. Another London doctor wrote offering to give proofs of the prisoner's insanity, while the vicar of Milton informed the Bench that Mr. Gilbert Cooper was some years ago dismissed summarily from a school at Godalming, where he WWI assistant master, for a passionate attack upon a pupil. Mrs. Farley repeated her evidence given before the coroner as to the events of the fatal morning. While she was telling of her offer to read the prisoner to sleep on the night preceding the tragedy, the a ~lused rose, and in an incoherent manner said something about appealing. He was persuaded by the constables to resume his seat. He rose thrice afterwards as if to speak, but said nothing . . • .. .  v- . Cross.examined by the solicitor for the prisoner, Mrs. Farley said she knew nothing about the prisoner before ho came as curate, except that he was well recommended. Her husband and the curate did not get on well for the first few montba, but afterwards they were all right. The prisonts had only been back a week from a three weeks' holiday when the murder took place. When he returned she noticed that he was depressed and thin. He ate nothing, and he told her that he did not sleep at night. He was, however, very attentive to her husband, who declared that he could not have been nicer. Thinking he was not in a fit state for duty on the evening before the tragedy, she wanted to get some one for the next day's service. The prisoner's solicitor : Did you consider his head was not in a fit state?  Mr. Moseley : I must object to this question. I know what the defence is, but we must have it regu. larly. Mrs Farley's solicitor Is there the slightest foundation for saying that there was ever any impropriety between you and the prisoner . .  The m4atratea We will not go into that. Dr. George Jones described the wound In the vicar's throat. He said that he visited the prisoner during the week following the murder, and found hsa en cited and unsound in mind. He, of course, could not say whether the prisoner was insane three days pre. vioualy. Other witnesses repeated their evidence given before the court, and Lisa case for the prosecution being closed, The prisoner's solicitor said he need not tell the magistrates what the defence was. It was a defence which could not be raised thcre, and therefore he had no observations to make.  The prmoner wts then committed for trial at the assizes. He mumbled something about appealing, re. peatedly put on his hat in court, and otherwise behaved in a strange manner.