The Express. — 1861-11-14 (London, England)

THE SUPPOSED MURDER IN DEPTPORD.  INQUEST.—(THIS DAY.) This morning Mr. Carttar, coroner for West Kent, held an inquest at the Trinity Anna, Church-street, Deptford. on the body of Margaret Edmonds, aged 24, who was drowned in the Suirey Canal on Monday evening last, under circumstances which have given rise to a charge of murder against her sweetheart, George i_leig,Peo, who attempted suicide at the same time. The body of the deceased was identified by her father, who said that she was always of a very cheerful disposition. Mrs. Russell. of 7:3, Florence-road, New Cross, said that deceased was in her service, and she appeared a very lively girl. There was nothing to make her unhappy that she was aware of. _  Dr. Anderson, Douglaeterrace, Hig'puttee', Deptford, deposed that Le had made e postmortem examination of deceased. Death had been the result of drowning. There was a mark on the temple, but that might have been caused by the drag. There was an appearance on the left arm, which might have been occasioned by its being tightly grasped. There was no other mark of violence. Stephen Barrow, 37, Amelia-terrace, Deptford, clerk, said —At twenty minutes past goo Monday night, I went home and found George lokpen, his brother-in-law, who lodged with Lim, in Led shivering. Wittman asked bin: what was the matter. He paid, at first, nothing ; but he then asked him to fetch Kr. Wright. When Wright came, Inkpen asked witness to leave the room, which he did. In conesqueue. of what Wright told him, they both went to the police-atatkin, where they law Inspector Ellis, and all three returned to Amelia-terrace. _ _  I :nurse Wright, a blacksmith, said that be found lokpen, crying and confused. It was some time before be became sufflcieetly calm to speak. lie they said that he went to the Lord Duncan, and had something to drink. A young woman came in for beer, and after she got it she called him out ■ad she offered him a drink, and she also drank and then threw the pot down. She then said she was tired of her life, and did not care what became of her, u her mother and sister were " going on " with her. She then asked him to follow her, and upon that they walked away together towards the wad. When they gut there, she asked if he had a handkerchief, but she said it was too short to go round them. He said he had ■ pair of laces, which she said were likewise too short, sod she produced a Piece of tap, sad with the tape and laces they tied themselves together. She put her arms round his neck. They then threw themselves into the water, where they rolled neer and over. He then changed his mind and tried to get her over to the other side, but the string gave way, earl she sank. He got out himself, and after sitting down a few seconds, jumped into the water to find her, but as being able to do so, be got out again and went home. Witness told him to tell him the truth, u be should tell it again. Witness could not speak es to his being drunk or not, as he was in bed, but he had mentioned that he took some brandy in town with a young man named Day. Witness tool him that he would go to the police and give information. He MAO DO reply. His hat and east were wet below stairs, but he had a dry shirt on in bed. Tapes was a young man of excellent character. Louisa Carr, 5, ltegent•street, said that she was at Nil. Jackle's on Monday main; when she saw lnkpen came in. He was quite wig. She afterwards took his clothes from ►le ream, and they were completely saturated. He said nothing to her. She afterwards heard some one say that Margaret was no more." She could not swear to the  kV 100 100 100 100  Elizabeth Inkpen. mother of Oswego inkpen, deposed that after nine o'clock on Mooday night she saw her son come home with every shuMieg gait. Shesald, "You appear in a hurry," hut he made no answer but went upstairs. She said " You appear to be tipsy." He looked very wild. He said, "Ask nie nothing." She naked him where Margaret was, and he answered, "I km't ask me on move." She did not know exactly what he meanOnit thought it must be to ask no more niaestioes. She did not hear him say anything shout Margaret's being dead or murdered. Was not aware that deteased had a miscarriage. She warn a somewhat forward girl. livery Day said that he was in King William-street on Monday with Inkpen, when they both bought some boot. laces. On their way home he noticed Inkpen was very much flushed in the face. They bad been drinking some brandy and ale. . . . _  Inspector Saunders *aid that he and Inspector Ellis went to the canal with lnkpen on Monday night. Inkpen took them to the railway arch over the canal, and laid "There is where we went in." After dragging the spot for sin minutes they found the body of deceased. There was so shawl ma the body, and nooe has been found since. On Wednesday neat the same spot they found a piece of boot lens and a bit at tape. (The hoes were produced and ideotided by Day.) An attorney's clerk applied to have the inquest adjourned, so that Inkpen or his solicitor might be present, and h►ve as opportunity of creee.examining the witnessed. After aonie conversation, this request was complied with, sad the inquiry was adjourned to a future day.