The Express. — 1868-05-08 (London, England)

FRIGHTFUL SUICIDE FROM THE PARAPET OF A HOUSE.  An inquiry was held by'hir. W. J. Payne, the deputy coroner, last evening, at St. Bartholomew's Hoy pital, respecting the death of HUM& Louisa Velloweth, aged 38 years, who committed suicide yesterday by leaping from a housetop in Cannon-street. A witness named Frederick Beecher said that at 6 o'clock in the morning he taw the deceased standing on the parapet of the 4egsr Loaf. Her face was towards the street. She appeared to be in her sleep ; but she jumped off the top of the house, which was three storeys high, and fell on the pavement. She alighted on her feet, and then fallbackwards. She did not hesitate, nor did she spring like • person intending to leap off. He thought she was asleep ; she was only partly dressed. Sophia Velloweth .said that her slater was not in the habit of walking in her deep. -John Death, pot boy at the Sugar Loaf Tavern, said that he had known the deceased two months. During the last month he had often seen her crying. When asked what was the matter, she observed " trouble." At 9 o'clock on Wednesday night • young man called upon her, and after speaking to her for half an hour he left. Witness did know him. She had been out for half en hour that evening, and she said that she had gone to see a doctor. She took supper, and went to bed at half-past 10 o'clock. She slept on the second floor. When witness was called by the police, he found that she had gone up to the top of the house and unbolted the trap-doer leading on to the roof. She bad complained of • pain in her side. Before she cried she used to say, " I have had such bad dreams." He never knew her to walk in her sleep. Ali in the house were asleep when she leaped from the roof. _  Mr. Justice Lush said the act of Victoria waa intended to give power to justices to commit for all indictable offences ; but the learned counsel's contention was that a justice could not inquire. but that an indictment must first be prepared before the magistrate could commit. Mr. Powell said his contention was that, under the statutes be had quoted, the grand jury must ex parte find a bill. There was no power to take any preliminary information. It was never intended that persons of Mr. lire's position were to be subjected to the indignity of going before a magistrate like persons who were charged with petty offences. All Mr. Vaughan wanted was their lordships' direction ; and whichever way they decided, be would be happy to obey their directions. Sir R. P. Collier, Mr. Fitxjames Stephen, Q.C., and Mr. Payne appeared in support of the rule ; but were not heard.  Mr. Robert Rams, manager at the Sager Loaf, said that he did not think anyone had taken advantage of the deceased. She was a very quiet, steady woman. Mr. Co►lbrook, surgeon, said that the deceased died at 9 o'clock yesterday. She tried to answer his questions, but she could not speak. She was dreadfully injured ; several of her bones were fractured. The post martens eiatuination proved that she was not enceinte. The Coroner having summed up the jury returned a verdict of " Suicide while in • state of temporary insanity."  Mr. Justice Blackburn said the court need not trouble the other aide. It was clear that the rule must be made absolute for the magistrate to investigate the case, arid then, if he thought the charge wan made out, to commit the accused. He was to inquire and decide judicially, and if he committed to return the deposition to the Queen's Bench, where, end where alone, the charges weld be (Unposed of. It had always been considered, and justly so, oppressive to go before a jury and prefer an indictment ex parte, and he thought it would be better if the legiala• tore was to specifically enact that it should not be done in any instance, but send everyone before a magistrate in every instance. The justice has solely to bear and consider, not to think and determine upon the wee. The magistrate, in this case, having a doubt upon the point, had acted perfectly right, in taking the opinion of this amt. _  Rule absolute.