The Sun. — 1834-08-15 (London, England)

CORONER—I told you before you were not bound to state anything that could criminate yourself. A surgeon, Dr. Newsom, the reporter understood, and who was said to be employed by Mr. Green, called out, Answer the question ; tell everything ; you have nothing to fear."  The witness then said, " Ves, I was present." Juror—And who were present besides ? Witness—l deelineanswering that.  Dr. Nevvsom-LAnswer it, answer it. Witness—l have no objection to tell. When he died his two sons and myself were present ; my daughter, to the best of my belief, was not in the room. Juror—Did you do anything to the body previous to the woman coming to lay it out ? Witness—l put a half-crown on each eye.  Juror—Did you tie up the jaws by putting a handkerchief under the chin ? Witness—l can't say whether I did or not ; I cannot recollect. I assisted in laying out the deceased.  Juror—That was after the woman came. I want to know what you did before she came. Witness—l cannot be certain whether or not I put a handkerchief round his head.  The Juror said he had no more questions to ask. The CORONER told Mr. Green he might retire, or he was at liberty to stop if he pleased.  Mr. Green retired.  Mr. Whitehead, undertaker, proved receiving the order for the coffin early on Monday morning, and was desired by Mr. Green to get it ready as early as possible. It was to be an elm coffin with furniture. Was told the deceased died suddenly. He took the measure of the corpse, which was that of a corpulent man. The body at the time was still warm. It was not usual to be called on to measure a' corpse till it had become cold.  111 r. R. Tribe, surgeon,-ofChatham, had attended the deceased two years ago for a pain in his side, which witness attributed to disease of the heart. Such a disease was likely to terminate in sudden death. Dr. Dods recalled—Denied that there was any disease of the heart likely to produce sudden death. Mr. Tribe was invited to attend the post ntortem examination, but declined doing so. The CORONER, in summing up, observed, that as to the tests employed, they were by no means infallible, for it was a fact, and he knew it to be the opinion of an eminent chemist, that the natural secretions of the stomach would produce the same results as in this case were stated to be the effects of poison. It appeared remarkable that the tests should apply to the presence of two poisons. He thought it not likely the deceased would, if he meditated suicide, swallow both ; and still less probable that any party would administer both to him, because the appearances would be more likely to lead to detection. There was no proof of the purchase of any poison, or that any was in the house. The circumstances connected with the apple-pudding and the beer had been satisfactorily accounted for. He advised them to take no notice of the rumours they might have heard. The undertaker had recommended the early closing of the coffin on account of the heat of the weather and the corpulency of the deceased. The body itself, it seemed, presented no remarkable appearance. Mr. Essell made the will, and the deceased assigned his reasons for so disposing of his property. Besides, it did not appear that the Greens knew the nature of the will. Supposing they determined on a verdict of natural death, they might say died by the visitation of God ; or supposing they considered poison to be the cause of death, they might find that he died from poison, but whether taken of his own accord, or administered by some other party, there was no evidence to show. The Jury continued closeted about an hour and a half, when they brought in the following written verdict :—" It is the opinion of-this Jury that the deceased died from poison, but by whom administered the Jury have no evidence before them to show."