The Sun. — 1860-09-26 (London, England)

THE ROAD MURDER.  FROME, TtESDAT.  It has already 1 (en stated that Mr. Slack, who is conducting the investigation into this most mysterious affair, has su'Aritted the results of his inquiries, up to a certain point, to the Wiltshire Magistrates, by whom he is employed. This was done at the Court House, Trowbridge, which is within three miles of the scene of the murder, and the place where the former magisterial inquiries have been conducted. The magistrates present were Mr. H. G. G. Ludlow, Mr. W. Stancomb, and Mr. J. P. Stancomb. These gentlemen have from the first taken an active part in the investigation, and it is understood that they regard the fresh revelations which have been made as very important, and likely to lead to practical results. Everything which has been elicited bas been kept profoundly secret, the only parties present besides Mr. Slack and his clerks being Mr. Dunn, who is Mr. Kent's solicitor, and Mr. Wole and Mr. Foley, the superintendents of police. Up to the present time the witnesses examined are Mr., Mrs., and the Misses Kent, the boy Alliday (not Holliday, as hitherto printed), Mr. J. Parsons, of Beckington, the surgeon who made the post mean examination of the murdered child's body, and the female domestics, including Elizabeth Gough, the nurse. Emma Sparks, said to have been a servant at Mr. Kent's a year and a half ago, has not been examined yet. Miss Constance Emily Rent, who, it is well known, was, at the instance of Inspector Whicher, the metropolitan detectiva, taken into custody on the charge of being the perpetrator of the horrible crime, has undergone a very searching examination. The fact of her having been publicly accused and examined before the magistrates on the charge of murder, and of her father being still under recognisances to produce her for re-examination if required, rendered her position one of extreme difficulty. Mr. Edlin, of the western circuit, who defended Miss Constance when before the magistrates, and Mr. Dunn, the family solicitor, were consulted on the subject ; and the result was that, with the full consent of the young lady, she was interrogated with extreme minuteness. That some decisive measures will be taken is the general opinion here ; but until the presentation of Mr. Slack's final report to the magistrates it would be premature to conjecture the result of the investigation. Meanwhile; it is said that since the digging up of Miss Constance's garden, and as a general result of the inquiry, the impression as to her entire innocence has been strengthened, Popular opinion, which at one time was very strong against Mr. Kent himself—so strong, in fact, that he could scarcely venture from his home without protection and dread of Lynch law—now almost entirely exculpates him, especially as he has, so far from showing any disposition to frustrate, in every possible way facilitated Mr. Slack's inquiries. Mr. Dunn has been stated to be merely a passive listener in the course of the investigation. This is scarcely correct. Mr. Dunn has the interests of his clients to protect, and, though not an obstructor, has been an active participator in the examination. Mr. Slack to-day is examining some gentleman who is resident at Trowbridge. His name and the nature of his evidence have not been allowed to transpire. It is expected that Mr. Slack's report to the magistrates will be presented to-morrow.