The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1882-02-11 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE NOTTING-HILL POISONING CASE.  In London, on Monday, Dr. DanfOrd Thomas held an inquest at the House of Detention, Clerkenwell, on the body of Mark Fahey Kavanagh, 25 years old, late of 78, Acklam-road, Notting-hill, who was found dead n his cell while under remand from Hammersmith Police-court for causing the death of Hellen Hawkins, with whom he had cohabited.  A few -days ago, it may be remembered, Kavanagh and Hawkins were discovered dying from the effects of poison, and Hawkins shortly afterwards expired. Kavanagh was taken to St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington. Subsequently he was charged before Mr. Paget with having caused the death of Hawkins, and was remanded to the House of Detention.  Inspector Brewster deposed to finding Kavanagh and Miss Hawkins lying in a room at 78, Acklamstree the latter being dead. Kavanagh, who had taken poison as well as the deceased, was removed to the hospital named, where he said, "I will follow her as soon as possible, for I have nothing now to live for." Witness had heard that he had expressed his intention to kill himself if he could get possession of a knife. On Thursday witness took him to the police. station, and charged him before the magistrate with causing the death of Miss Hawkim. Witness told Mr. Paget, the magistrate, of the suicidal tendencies of the deceased, who was remanded for a week. Charles McLean, warder at the House of Detention, stated that he found Kavanagh at 2.25 on Friday afternoon suspended by his scarf, which was attached to the "hopper," or peg of the window. He cut the deceased down, and the doctor was called in, but Kavanagh was dead.  Chief Warder Moore deposed that he saw the deceased on his admission. A memorandum was attached to his commitment paper stating that the deceased's case was " special," and witness heard that he was likely to commit suicide. The warders were verbally crdered to carefully watch the deceased, and they would make a note of the order on their slates. Deceased's cell would be looked into every quarter of an hour.  By the Coroner: The scarf would be taken away from the prisoner with his other clothing at night, and restored to him in the morning. If he (witness) had been in time to save the deceased's life he should have put him under restraint, and have handcuffed him. Had witness known all the facts connected with the deceased as they were then revealed at the inquest he should have taken greater precautions. The Coioner read a letter of the deceased's, from which it appeared that he was married to Miss Hawkins. It was stated that on the 17th of January last he was discharged from the Metropolitan Police force, in which he was a constable, for his drirking propensities.  _ _ The jury returned averdict to the Elect that the deceased committed suicide while of unsound mind, and added :—" The jurors, having heard in evidence that the deceased was charged with murder, had taken poison for the purpose of committing suicide, and stated on several occasiGns, as well as by letter, that he fully intended to take his life—facts known to the police authorities would suggest that some arrangements be made for fully reporting such facts to the prison authorities, inasmuch as the chief warder states that he should have acted differently and taken greater precautions with the deceased had he known all the facts now mentioned at the inquest; and, with regard to the reception of pexsons of supposed unsoundness of mind and likely suicides, the jury would further suggest that without delay they should be examined by some medical authority specially. skilled in mental diseases, in conjunction with the prison surgeon, for the purpose of deciding the question as to the sanity or insanity of such persons, and with a view of such persons, if found to be insane, being sent to an asylum forthwith."