The Express. — 1861-11-13 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OF MURDER.  George lukpen, a young man twenty years of age. described ss • hammerman. of 37. amelia-terrace, Deptford, was charged yesterday at the Greenwich policecourt with attempting to commit suicide by throwing himself into the Surrey Canal, in company with Margaret Edwards, who was drowned.  Inspector Ellis, R division, said from information received he went, at half-past ten on Monday night, to a house in A inelia.terrace, Deptford, where he saw the prisoner. Witness took him out, and on proceeding up the street questioned him concerning the deceased being in the canal, and asked if he could point out the spot, when he said he would tell him all about it. The prisoner then said he had been to a race or running match in London that day, and bad got out at the railway station, High-street, Deptford, that evening, and that after going to the house of Bennett, a barber, he proceeded to the Lord Douala public-house, New Cross' road, and had something to drink. While there the delceased, who lived in the neighbourhood as domestic servant, entered for the family's supper beer, when he spoke to her, and they went out together. She theni wished him to drink some of the beer, which he did, and she drank some also, and then they finished the whole of it Having done this the prisoner remarked that the deceased said, " It is no use living, my friends are always nagging, me ;" adding, " Will you follow me r He replied, ' Yes, wherever you go I will go ;" and that they then turned down the Mornington-road, and went together to the 'Surrey canal, where the decemed asked him if he had got a handkerchief. He replied he had; but she said it would not be long enough to go round them both. Re then said he had got some boot laces, which he bad bought in London, and that on her saying they would do, they tied themselves together. Previous to euterio,, the water the deceased said, Ido not think I shall sink, when he asked her why she said so, and she replied, "because of my cri• nubile." The prisoner then said they both got into the canal and rolled over and over • she soon turned, but did not for some time sink. The bootlaces breaking, he got out on the opposite side, and tried to save her, but not being able to do so, he got into the canal again, swam acrom, and returned home. Witness and the prisoner then proceeded towards the canal hank, and oo asking the prisoner if he felt himself better, he replied,." I was very bed, and she had to hold me up, but lain all right now, and if I had been as well a while ago I should not have done this." Witness asked him if he had been drinking, and he said he bad been drinking freely. The prisoner then pointed out the spot where they entered the water, and the drags having been procured, the body of deceased was found and brought ashore. The prisoner said her name was Margaret Edwards, and that he had been keeping company with her three years. Prisoner appeared anxious to see the body of deceased, and, oo allowing him to do ao, he said it had made a great alteration in her features. Witness then took the prisoner to the polioe.ntstion, and the charge having been taken he said he would give him his word that what he had told him was the truth. Witness assisted in taking the body of deceased to the dead-house, examining it to see if them were any bootlaces or handkerchief tied about it, but could End neither. There was a bruise on the left temple. Os going to the prisoner's house, witness saw some wet clothes in the room. This being the whole of the evidence, A friend of the prisoner inquired the nature of the charge against him. Mr. Trail said it would resolve itself into a charge of murder against the prisoner, who was then remanded until Wednesday neat.