The Sun. — 1856-08-06 (London, England)

THE LATE DOUBLE MURDER AND  ATTEMPTEI) SUICIDE.  EXECUTION OF MURDOCK.  LEWES, TUESDAY.  31ANSLAUGHPER AND SINGULAR ARREST.  CANTRRBURY, Tuesday Evening.—Derlea, the murderer of Caroline and Msria Back, lies in a very precarious state in the hospi-al, at Canterbury. He has inflicted three wounds on hirnse!f. one of dram havirg extended, it is believed, to the left lun:;. The incisions are about six inches in depth, but not necessarily mortal. Bedanius apnears to be a man somewhat above the common level of his ceunt:ymen ; he is a Servian, and comes from Belvrade. He speaks very good,German (the Austrian dialect), and cm also converse in Italian, having served in the Austrian ar:nv. His c mntenance is rather mild and intelligent. Dr. Rhost, a linguist at St. Au gustine's Colleve, has been to see him, but he does not appear inclined to say much at present in reference to the crime he has committed. He merely alludes to it in general terms, and states that "he did it out of love." During the night, when he was quite composed and sensible, one of the nurses in attendance asked bow he could have done it? Bedanius merely replied that he stabbed her, and she was dead in a minute. When asked by Dr. Rhost it he wished to make any voluntary statement, or was desirous of communicating with his friends, he replied, " Not at present : I am too weak to speak yet." About 11 o'clock on Zilonday evening it was expected that he was near his death, and upon being asked if he should like to see the priest, Bedanius replied in the affirmative. The Rev. Mr. Siddens, the Romau Catholic priest of the district, was therefore sent for. Upon the arrival of the rev. gentleman the usual questions were put to the sufferer, and subsequently the rites of the Roman Catholic Church were admini-tered to him. At a later period, however, he asked for his knife, as he wished to finish himself. He is watched by a constable, in case he should make any further attempt upon his life. He has not shown any kind of delirium.  The extreme penalty of the law in the case of this un happy culprit for the murder of the Hastings gaoler, Weilard, was carried into effect to-day at 12 o'clock, at the east end of the county gaol. S.:ine sympathy was manifested in the public mind on his behalf, anii the rgeommendation of the jury for mercy on the ground that they did net believe it was the culprit's intention to commit murder, but merely to incapaci ate the gaoler from making any resistance to his escape from custody, met with general approval. All attempts, however, to arrest the judgment of death proved fruitless. Since the culprit's condemnation, on July 16, his demeanour in prison has been in every way befitting his awful position, and the spiritual efforts of the chaplain, the Rev. R. Burnett, have had apparently the effect of producing a repentant feeling in the culprit's mind. At times he exhibited signs of intense grief, and in reference to the murder, although he admitted the deed, he has always qualified it by saying he had no intention to take the old man's life. On Saturday last his mother and stepfather visited him, and the meeting and separation was a painful scene. At the hour appointed for the execution, 12 o'clock, there were not more than from 1,500 to 2,000 persons present to witness it. The unhappy man walked with a firm step across the prison yard, and ascended the scaffold without assistance. He took a slight glance at the people, but made no attempt to speak. On being Waced in proper position, Calcraft put on the white cap, adjusted the rope, and then withdrew the bolt, and the wretched criminal appeared to die almost without a struggle. The crowd was very orderly, bat some few gave expression to their ft:elings by exclaiming "Shame" and " Murder." It is said that Murdock has written a letter to the son of the deceased gaoler, expressing his contrition for depriving his father of life.  Oa Fri•lay last an icquest was held by Mr. w. Carter, Coroner for Last Surrey, on the body of Mr. John William Adams, a traveller in the employ of Mr. Fleet, soda-water menufocturer, at Walworth ; and the evidence tended to chow that the death was caused by his having been stroek under the ear by Frederick Fisher, also in the same establishinect. A verdict of manslaughter was returned against Fisher, who was in the court at the time, but when his name was called by the coroner was found that he bad su,idenly disappeared. The warrant for his committal to Newgate was placed in the bands .of Thomas Cooke, the coroner's of cer, for execuMon. The funeral of the unfortunate deceased took place on Monde and on account of some information be bad received,yithe officer proceeded to North-street, East-lane, her e h and on onenin •mourning coaches were in waiting, Cooke Bras about tth door of one of them he saw Fisher. so earnestly, arrest the accused, but be begged Y. end with the . . a„ et, the urea ,eet pertinacity, to be , churchyard, tnhai7 theatt• odcficer cfonsented, at Old Deptford.cburahoh7sseet.ed, but also gut into the coach and accompanied baying previously to etartiripe, real the warrant aver bhp. After the funeral ceremony, at the officer'' v.," cloak and Fisher immed band, entered a tclaiebtewlyb cohokivoaffs twhaeitniizrnainngd s conveyed to Horsemonger-lane Gaol. The proceedings connected with the arrest were carried out in such a manner that not the slightest disturbance took place, and it is but just to add that Fisher was deeply affected and evidently felt most acutely the position in which he was placed, the deceased and himself basing known eacb. ether for several years. On the day prresling the funeral Fisher called at the residence of Gooke to give himself up, but that officer was not at home. The assizes at Guildford are now pending, and the prisoner will be tried there.