The Herald of Wales. — 1887-06-04 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

KILLING A BROTHER.  At the Central Criminal Court, on Friday, before Mr. Justice Hawkins, William Holt Brandt, 20, was charged with the wilful murder of his brother, Tom Smiley Brandt. The prisonet lived in the same house as his brother, who was a cab proprietor, at 12, Constancieroad, East Dulwich. On the night of the sth, or morning of the 6th inst . the prisoner, who had quarrelled with his brother, shot him with • revolver. On being arrested the prisoner said, "Tom annoyed me once, and struck me with • whip last week." He added, "Life would not be worth having if things went on like this; I struck him first with • mallet, and then shot hie, with a revolver." HO further said that he had got the moneyto purchase the revolver by picking a isorket at • Socialist meeting. After the murder the prisoner absconded to Croydon and hid himself in a wood, but on the following day gave himself up, saying he would not have shot his brother had he not intended to conimit suicide. Some doubts were entertained of the sanity of the prisoner, bat the prosecution felt it their duty to place the facts before a jury, and let them decide whether the prisoner was re. sponsible for his actions or not.—A. third brother gave se idence as In the quarrel, which was about a dog the deceased had been ill.treating.—There was nothlng unusual about the prisoner at the time. He had been drinking, but was quite sober. Prisoner had a craving for reading reports of police canes and murder trials. He WU greatly interested in the Holton murder, and said Currell was a brave man to shoot a woman in the way he did. He said he would himself shoot anyone whom he disliked. They often had conversations about dying, the prisoner repeatedly saying he wished on going to bed that he might be dead before morning. Witness had a conversation with the prisoner after lie had been charged at the police-court. He (prisoner) laughed the whole of the time, and seemed not to realise the gravity of his position.—The prisoner's sister gave similar testimony, adding that their father died of paralysis and some nervous disorder. Her brother constantly complained of pains in his head, and would hold his head in his hands as though suffering greatly—For the defence some medical witnesses and others who had known the prisoner for enllle years, deposed that the prisoner was always "soft "and silly. One witness said he was always talking about violent deaths, =Midis, murders, and hangings. On one occasion the prisoner told him he was going to do a hanging job.—Mr. Poland, for the prosecution, caled rebutting evidence, including Dr. H. C. Bastian, of University College, who said he had examined the prisoner, and con sidered him neither imbecile nor insane. —Dr. Gilbert, medical officer of Holloway Prison, gave corroborative testimony.—The jury found that when the prisoner committed the crime he was not responsible for his actions, and he was ordered to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure.  . The Lochinver constable, while serving summonses pl the township of Clashmore, Assynt, on persons implicated in the late deforcement of • sheriff-offieer there, was seized by • band of women. the papers taken from him, and burnt on the spot. Only two of the summonses had been served,  As • train from Woolwich was entering Lewisham station on Friday, an old gentleman was observed on the line. Hit was knocked down,e.nd the greater part of tint train went over him, but be escaped with his life 11 a• i;h11 hand, however, was terribly Smashed. Sat he vasiostrond Ciay's  i TO