The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1891-02-05 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

THE ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER IN CARLISLE..  THE MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY.  At the City Police Court, on Monday, Thomas Hind, collier, Greenhead, was charged on remand with maliciously wounding and causing the death of Elizabeth Wright, on the 15th November. Mr Johnson appeared for the prosecution, and Mr J. S. Jackson was for the defence. Alice Newsom, Glasson, sister-in-law to the deceased, said that her husband and deceased's husband were both turnkeys in the gaol. In company with deceased and her daughter witness went to the six o'clock Silloth train, which, however, they missed. On their return they were accosted on the Viaduct by a man who tapped deceased on the shoulder and said, " You are the canniest little body in Carlisle." Here witness said she thought the man in the dock was the one who accosted deceased. The whole party went to deceased's house, where the man sent for a pint of ale or beer, and sixpennyworth of rum. The man drank the ale, and witness, deceased, Mr and Mrs Roberts, the deceased's son-in-law and daughter, shared the ruin among them. Witness went upstairs about half-past ten for some bedding, and afterwards heard a disturbance. Witness could not get downstairs because of the bedroom door being blocked by the kitchen table. She shouted, Open the door," but there was no answer. The door was at last opened by a strange woman; and when witness got downstairs she found deceased sitting on the stairs, and was asked by her for a drink of water. Deceased showed witness her foot, which was twisted round and hanging by a piece of skin. The poker was lying on the hearthrug.—Cross-examined She never saw the man before he came up on the Viaduct. She was not in a puLlie-house on the way to the Station.  Hannah Roberts repeated her evidence, already published.  Dr Lediard and Dr Stevenson also repeated their evidenee.—ln cross-examination Dr Stevenson said there were traces of the woman having had some drink when admitted into the Infirmary. . .  Dr Hall said that he was called to the house of deceased on the day in question, and found the woman lying on the floor—Cross-examined: The woman was not in drink.  Edward Roberts swore that the prisoner was the man who was in deceased's house when he was called there at seven o'clock on the night named. Deceased said to him, "I'm glad you've come, Edward, because there's a young man from Newcastle here who knows your brother." Cross-examined--I am a conjuror by profession, but a labourer by trade. My mother-in-law would not see anyone want a bed if she could make one up. Margaret Mc.Gann, West nails, deposed that she lived near the deceased's house, and on the night named, about 10.30, she heard some • awful murder shouts." She went to Mrs Wright's house, opened the door, and Mrs Wright said, •‘ I've not got the sovereign." Then, to witness, "This man has come into my house to murder me." Witness asked "Who is the man," to which Mrs Wright replied "I don't know." Deceased further remarked, "This man has broke my leg." Witness was positive that the prisoner was the man. Mary Ann Johnston and Police-constable Hind having given their evidence, Mr JACKSON submitted that there was not sufficient evidence upon which to commit the prisoner for trial, the evidence being most contradictory. He urged that there was even evidence of robbery against the deceased, and ridiculed the idea of 6d worth of rum being sufficient for four people that night. The magistrates decided, however, to commit the prisoner for trial at the Assizes on the charge of manslaughter.  THE GREATEST VALUE