The Sun. — 1862-01-29 (London, England)

THAMES.  A SAD CASE.—MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED SISTER'S IfITSBAND.—A poor woman, an invalid, and in a very weakly condition, who gave the name of Catherine Pick.ford, of 14, Charles-street, Globe-fields, came before Mr. Woolrych to ask his advice and assistance under the following painful circumstances.  The poor woman said she was married to her husband, George Pickford, at the district church of St. Jude, Commercial-street, Whitechapel, on the 19th Feb., 1855. For some time past her husband had acted in a very tyrannical manner towards her, and in a fit of despondency, caused by his ill treatment, she attempted to commit suicide. She was taken into custody, brought before his worship, and remanded to the Clerkenwell House of Detention for a week. At the expiration of that time in consequence of a favourable report of her conduct from the chaplain, she was discharged. That occurred a fortnight ago, and her husband had abandoned her ever since. She was now in a state of great destitution. Her husband had declared his intention of marrying another woman named Mary Staines or Stales, and the banns of marriage between them had been twice published at Shoreditch Church.  Weston, a carpenter, said he was in the employ of the last witness at the premises in New-street. On the 27th of December ho went with Becket to the house; there were three other men with them--Boyce, Gregory, and another. On entering they all went down to the basement, and tried the pantry door and found it fastened. The prisoner was in the room, and he (witness) called out " now, Flynn, you had better come out quietly." He said, " I won't come out for the policeman (meaning Becket) was there." Becket said he'd get in same other way, and that he wculd go and get a constable, He then left to do as he had said, and while he was absent the prisoner said in answer to something that had been said to him by one of the men, " I will not come out, and the man who enters the room I will run him through." Becket returned with the constable, who advised that the door should be broken open. The prisoner N.% as then again called to come out, but as he refused to do so, the door was broken open by Gregory. Becket was the first to enter, when witness saw him put his hand to the lower part of his person and he called out, " I'm stabbed," Quigley was then secured by the police, and the deceased was taken to the hospital. The knife with which the injury was inflicted was picked up by the woman Flynn and given to the police. Cross -examined—He saw Becket enter the room. Before the blow was struck he saw the prisoner holding out the knife. The deceased was at that time about two feet from the door. He saw Becket had a stick in his hand threatening the prisoner, and touching his shoulder. He then saw the prisoner stab the deceased. Gregory, one of the ether men who was present at the occurrence, confirmed the evidence. Police-constable Wooler, 129 D, said he was present when the occurrence took place. He knew that the prisoner was called to to come out of the place quietly. After the door was broken open Becket entered the place, and in a few seconds after he heard him call out that he was stabbed. He saw the prisoner close the knife and throw it out of the window into the area. On his way to the station-house the prisoner said he had been quarrelling with the woman because she would not get up and get his breakfast.  Mr. Woolrych—lf your husband marries again in your lifetime be can be indicted for bigamy.  The applicant—My husband says he has a right to mart y again, and that out marriage is unlawful. Mr. Woolrych—How does he make that out The applicant—l am the sister of his first wife. He married me after her death, and took me from a good situation.  Mr. Woolrych—That is very unfortunate indeed. I am inclined to think he can marry again. Marriage with a deceased wife's sister, or a deceased husband's brother is  The woman, sobbing loudly, asked if that was the law of the land ?  Mr. Woolrych—lt is, indeed, my good woman. Your marriage is unlawful.  The applicant handed in a certificate of marriage, by banns, at St. Jude's church, on Feb. 19, 1855, between herself and George Pickford, boot clicker.  Mr. Woolrych—Yes ; the marriage was quite regular, and the banns duly published, but it is an illegal marriage. There is nothing to prevent your husband marrying another woman, if any woman will have him. Are there any children living, the issue of your marriage ? The applicant—None, sir. My sister had two children by him, one is nearly eight and the other in its tenth year. Mr. Woolrych—Your husband must keep them whether .he gets married or not. It is a very hard case, but I cannot help you. have yoil been to the parochial authorities of Mile-end, Old-town, for relief ?  Cross-examined—He could not say whether the prisoner had boots or slippers when the occurrence took place. The prisoner did not say ho was using the knife in cutting the heels of his boots.  The applicant—Yes, sir, and it was refused. I was told to send my husband.  Mr. Woolrych directed one of the summoning officers of the court to take the woman to the relieving officer of the Hamlet of Mile-end, Old-town, and request that she should be relieved. He had no doubt that, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, the presence of the husband would be dispensed with. He wits afraid the guardians could not compel the heartless fellow to support his afflicted wife,  Mr. Marshall, tho house surgeon of Middlesex Hospital, said the death of the deccasQd arose from the wound in the abdomen. The knife produced would inflict such a wound as that he found on the body of Becket.  The deposition of Becket, taken previous to his death, having been read, the case for the prosecution closed. Mr. Ribton submitted there was no evidence to support the charge of wilful murder. Baron Channell was of a contrary opinion.  Mr. Ribton having addressed the juty for the prisoner,  The learned Judge summed up the evidence. Tho jury, after a protracted absence, returned into court at half-past four with a verdict of manslaughter. The learned Judge then sentenced the prisoner to 20 years' penal servitude.