The Express. — 1864-04-06 (London, England)

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE IN PESTONY IL LE  PRISON.  An inquiry of a melancholy character waa instituted by Dr. Lakeside Let evening at the Pentonville Model Prism, relative to the death of a pneoox Valentine 13anibrick, aged 28 yews, who wee found dead and hanging in his cell on Friday evening last. Last week a similar inquest was held. Mr. Charles Lawrence Bradley, medical officer of the prison, said he had been told that he Iprieoner) fretted, as he was being unjustly punished for a crime of which be was not guilty. His mind was no doubt impaired, sod he had suffered from delirium tremens. A letter was written on • slate by deceased, which might be worth the attention of the jury. On the production of the slate the Coroner read the following letter : My dear dear Friend. and Family,—Becoming quite tired of my ;rule miserable existence, I am about to rash into the praise°, of my Maker uncalled and awaked. To you I appeal for forgiveness and pardon for all the unhappiness I have ever caused you. I dare not ask for mercy of God. lam doing that which admits of no pardon, but if He will hear my prayer, I pray to Him to grant you consolation in your hour of affliction, for I know that, notwithstanding all my faults, that love which you always manifested towards me is not withheld yet, and therefore the news of my unfortunate fate will make time sorrowful. Pray for your unfortunate see. " Vat. Bausuce." " P.B.—Before I die, I protest solemnly my entire innocence of the charge for which I was punished, all but the Result, and that was due under the circumstances before mentioned to you in my letter. "God bless you all. Love to all my relatioes. Pity even while you condemn • Pooa Vat."  John Potter, a prisoner, said he was in the next cell to the deceased. He did not know until that afternoon that he was dead, when the deputy -governor sent for him and told him. He only knew deceased by his number. C 21. Deaseesd bad spoken to him twios. The first time he said, " I have sent out alspecial letter, and I expect to be discharged." The second time he said he was an innocent man. The Coroner—Have you any complaint to make of the diety have riven to you ? ri:oter—Mo, sir ; I have meat every day. A juror—When the dspirty•governor called you down, did he instruct you as to what you were to my here? Primmer—No, sir.. _ _  The foreman: referring to the statement made by the prisoner they bad just examined, wished to keow whether that 'postal letter had been forwaredtothe friends  Captain Craig (the governor who had been sent for) in. formed the jury that on the 26th of February. the crimper applied to him for permimion to write •special letter. and as he was a well-behaved man he granted the application. Prisoners were only allowed to write • letter on their entry, and then one every three months. The deceased was not entitled to writs until this :moth. That special letter was forwarded to his family directly. A petition followed, and there was no doubt that if • certain woman bad been found the deceased would have obtained his release. The deceased mine from Winchester Gaol • the governor there, feeling highly interested in the prisoner endeavoured to get a commutation of sentence. Hii.cousidered be was perfectly innocent, as did also he (Captain Craig). The deceased was charged with stealing a Victoria Cross and several medals from • soldier who had created a disturbance in • brothel at Aldershott with • prostitute. The woman screamed "Murder," and the dewed (who was also • soldier) went to protect her. He thrashed the other soldier, during which his medals fell off. Deeemed picked them up and put them on the mantelcimlf. They were, bower, lost, and the demeaned wm accused of the robbery. The deceased also had • Victoria Crow sod medals, and • pension of 101. a year for life ; the latter was, however, forfeited by the conviction. While the deceased was in that prison an order from the Secretary of State arrived, directing that the Victoria Cross which had bees obtained by the dewed should be also forfeited, and this also affected the dewed. _ _ _  A juror willed to know if= of Qs letter on tho slate would be forwarded to tbe  Captain Cm* replied that so tranowipt would be made, but the original became their , acid would be forwarded to them with the decision of miaow's jury. The body could either be buried by them or otherwise. After some remarks on the very inalsnaholy chanter of the ease, The under u jurynsound retume mind d a verdict of "Suicide, while labouring  AN