The Sun. — 1844-05-13 (London, England)

AND OTIIER COMPANIES' STOCK. o'clock at night when we got there. Clewley went on to the towing-path, which was his direct way home, and I went over the bridge which leads to Ebbern's house. We bade each other good night. I saw George Skelsey on the bridge ; he called to some one who was in a boat on the canal, and said, " Hav'nt you heard me talk to you about the b—r that owes me a sovereign ?" He answered, " Yes, I have, George." Clewley must have heard him, as at this time he was nearer to the man in the boat than I was. Clewley kept walking on at a slow pace, along the towing path, perfectly sober. When Skelsey had finished talking to the boatman, I heard him say—but whether speaking to himself or any one else, I could not tell—" Now I'll go and pay the b—r," and immediately ran after him. I heard no conversation between them, but saw Skelsey knock Clewley down. I had remained on the bridge, in consequence of what I heard Skelsey say. The first time he struck deceased was at the second stile from the bridge, going into Ebbern's field, which is forty-four yards from the first stile. While I was on the bridge, and when he was knocked down , he called to me, and said, "Bill, you won't see me murdered, will you?" I answered, " No," and immediately went to his assistance. He lay quite still till I got to him ; when I came up, Skelsey said to me, " Now, you old b—, if you interfere, or say one word, I'll serve you the same ; I'll throw you into the canal and drown you. I began to talk mildly to him, and got him away four or five yards from where Clewley was lying. He called after me, and said he durst not go home by himself. I asked him to go back with- me. He took up a reticule basket, a can, and a stick, which had fallen from him when he was knocked down, and walked behind me and Skelsey till we came back to the first stile nearest the bridge. I was talking to Skelsey all this time with a view of drawing his attention from Clewley, who, when he came up to the first stile, got over, and Skelsey immediately jumped over after him, and instantly knocked him down and kicked him on his right side. Thomas Winterberry, Daniel Budd, and Francis Deming, came up at the time, and saw what took place. Clewley never spoke a word while he lay on the ground. We kept Skelsey in conversation, and whilst so doing, Clewley got up and went away over the stile into the towing-path, which was his nearest way home. He left all his things behind him, on the spot where he was knocked down. Winterberry, Deming, and myself kept talking with Skelsey, in the hope that Clewley would get home out of his way. Skelsey very shortly, indeed in a moment left us, and said he would follow the old b—, and give him another putting up. He ran along the towing-path in the direction which Clewley had taken. I then requested the other two to go down with me to Clewley's house, and when we got there we saw Skelsey at the door, throwing his arms about, and saying to Clewley's sister, " I've done for your b— of a brother, and now I'll do for you before I sleep." Clewley was then lying on his back upon the floor, and a great deal of froth was issuing from his mouth and nose. Skelsey immediately after this left the house, and I left also. The other witnesses corroborated Eave's testimony in every particular points. The jury, after a consultation of not more than a minute, returned a verdict of wilful murder against George Skelsey.