The Sun. — 1845-03-07 (London, England)

THE MURDER AT HAMPSTEAD. (FURTHER PARTICULARS.) It has been mentioned that the deceased Delarue was known to be in the habit of wearing two rings, and although the most valuable one was discovered by the unfortunate father of 'Thomas Hocker, amongst some of the cuttings of the shoe materials at his house, still up to the period of the prisoner's examination on Tuesday, at the Police-court, no trace of the second ring had been found. It appears, however, on the return of Mr. Hocker, sen., to his residence, in Charles-street, that his wife had also, during his absence, found the second ring ka kind of gold keeper) amongst some rubbish. Mr. 'Locker, sen., lost no time in placing this further evidence of the guilt of his wretched son in the hands of the police. It is still believed, as was the case in the first instance, that there was more than one person concerned in the murder, and this supposition is strengthened by facts which, subsequently to the holding of the coroner's inquest, have transpired. In the North-road, and but a very short distance from the Swiss Cottage, a penknife is stated to have been found, having the handle covered with blood, and it cannot be identified as having ever been seen in the possession either of the accused, Thomas Henry Rocker, or of the murdered man, Mr. Delarue. The facts which have transpired in evidence also tend to show in some measure that more than one was concerned. In the first place, Delarue was, as compared with the accused, a much more powerful man, and therefore, single handed, would have been likely to have had the best of Hocker. Again, the cries of murder from deceased were heard for two or three minutes, therefore that fact does away with the impression that Hocker must have pounced on the murdered man unawares, and stunned him. The police aro actively engaged in tracing out, if possible, the owner of the penknife alluded to.  During the inquest, it will be remembered that when the coat of Thomas Henry Rocker was produced, there was evidence of a bloody hand having been thrust into one of the pockets. Shortly after the verdict of " Wilful Murder" was recorded, Mr. Wakley directed the summoning officer of Hampstead, in whose custody the clothes of the deceased are place d, to examine the pockets minutely, in order to ascertain if, when they were rifled by the murderer, he had blood on his hands. On Hunt's return he stated that there was not the slightest spot of blood on any of the pockets, and the only blood observable on the trousers at all was a long streak passing down the front in the direction of the left thigh. The extraordinary manner in which the police have got up the evidence in this case has been the subject of general remark, and the anxiety manifested by them all, as it were, to have " a finger in the pie" is still more singular. For instance, in the first place, Inspector Partridge holds the watch and ring, identified as having belonged to the murdered man. Secondly, Inspector Shackel holds the mackintosh, trousers, &c., covered with blood, belonging to the accused. Thirdly, Inspector Haynes holds the gambroon trousers, drawers, coat, waistcoat, stockings, and shirt of Rocker, as also the button found on the mantelpiece. Fourthly, Inspector Gray holds the letter signed " Caroline," and other documents. Fifthly, Sergeant Scotney holds some letters found at the accused's lodgings, addressed by him to a Miss Batty. Sixthly, police constable Thomas holds the button found on the spot where the murder took place. Seventhly, Inspector Tedman holds some obscene books and prints belonging to the accused. Inspector Furlong holds something else ; and lastly, Hunt, the constable, holds the deceased's clothes. It has now been ascertained beyond a doubt that had not [locker been taken into custody on the night he was, that most, if not all, the above-mentioned evidences of his guilt would have been removed or destroyed. It appears that on the following morning after the capture of the accused, the copper at his lodgings was found filled with water, the fire laid, and everything prepared for washing, and all this was done entirely without the knowle lge of the landlady of the house. The letters in the custody of the police are said to deeply criminate the murdered man as well as Hacker.