Darlington & Richmond Herald. — 1874-05-23 (Darlington, Durham, England)

AYTEMPAID SUICIDF.I OF THE ACCUSED.  sin,cTity wag he day appointed for the litiagiateriat examiL.Ati.,-,n in the case of William Jjacksbn„ who, it wili remembered, was rem:mad on the 11th instj. on the charge of murdeting his sister, Elizabslth Jadicson, at Kirkfington, on the evening of tlac. sth inst. The:. time fixed for the examination wag a quarterpast eleven, and long before that the lage of Wath presented a scene of unwonted exciten;qntThe arrival of the first train from Northallerton, indeed, was watched by a crowd of persons at Melmerby Junction, in anticipatipn of the prisoner's coming by it. The crowd was disappointed, however, as the prisoner came by road, in a conveyance from Northallerton, under the charge of Captain G. Gardener, the governor of Northellerton Gaol, and Mr John Palliser, one of the warders.- Daring the tide , by Learning Lane and Kirklington, the prisoner, we learn, seemed tolerably cheerful, and con: versed freely with his companions, pointing out, as they passed, many of the spots of interest on the route, and especially the fields where his father worked. On arriving at Wath the prisoner was hurried past the few groups of persons without being recognised, and was at once placed in the cell in the neat little policestation. This was about ten minutes to nine and before nine o'clock it was discovered that Jackson had attempted suicide. The report proved true. From all that could be gleaned, it appeared that the prisoner was searched, as usual, before leaving Northallerton, but, in spite of this, he had managed to secrete on his person a piece of tin, in size and shape much like a razor, and rubbed till it was nearly as sharp. 'With this, immediately on being left alone in the cell, he had inflicted -a jagged wound five inches long on his throat, but without inflicting more than a severe flesh wound. Police-constable 1 then discovered him bleeding profusely, and at once gave the alarm. Steps were taken to stop the effusion of blood, and Dr. Thomas Slater, of Ttipoil, and Dr. D. Mickle, of Kirka lington, were sent toe. Before the arrival or these gentlemen, Drs. Heb Jen and Frankland were on the spot, so that in a comparatively short time all that medical skill could do had been done, and the wound sewn and dressed.  Two magistrates—the Rev. S. 11. Powell, chairman of the Hallikeld Bench, and Mr George John Seargentson, of Camp Hill, Carthorpe—were present at the appointed time; with Captain T. Hill, the Chief-constable of the Riding; Superintendent M. Walmsley, deputy chief-constable; Mr Dale, of York, who appeared to prosecute; and Mr J. F. A. Coppin, clerk to the Bench. Their services were not brought into reqtfsition, as, after a brief consultation, it was deemed that the state of the prisoner was such as to demand a further remand. Formal medical evidence was then given in the cell, before Mr Powell, that the prisoner was unable to undergo the examination, owing to the wound in his neck, and he was accordingly remanded for eight days. A strict enquiry will, of course, take place as to how he was in possession of the instrument with which the wound was inflicted. Prisoner remains at Wath, where he has every attention, bat will be watched day and night. It is believed that, beyond the weakness through loss of blood, no serious results hu.ve followed.