The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1866-09-28 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

MURDER IN SOMERS-TOWN.  Mary Butcher, 35. described as a married woman, was brought up at the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday to plead to two indictments, one of which charged ber with the wilful murder of Emma Butcher, and the other with committing the same offense upon Agnes Butcher. Mr. M. Williams, for the prosecution, said there was some doubt as to the prisoner's ability to plead, and he therefore proposed to call the surgeon of the gaol, who had had an opportunity of examining her. The clerk of the arraigns formerly called upon the prisoner to say whether she was guilty or not. The prisoner took no notice of the question, and only stared vacantly at the female warder who was standing near her. Mr. J. Gibson, surgeon at Newgitte Prison, was then called, and deposed that he had examined the pri,oner frequently since the 2Gth of August. He was of opinion that she was quite incapable of understand. in the charge in consequence of the state of her mind. i ol His I. 'ship : Tricapable now? Witness : Yee, and oleos she as been in gaol. His Lo ship addreeeed the jury, and said that if they were\ of the opinion she was not in a state of mind to ankerer the charge, they would say so. The jury returned a verdict that she was of unsound mind. _ _ _  HM Lordship then ordered that the prisoner ahead be eonfined during her Majtsty's pleasure. The prisoner, who had not taken the slightest interest or notice of the proceedings, wee then removed.  STRANGE &MINN OP AN ENGLISH GIRL IN FRANCK The Temps gives the following account of an extraordinary suicide committed by a young English girl in France:— M. and Madame S—, residing in the Rae do Faubourg Saint Honors', engaged, as governess for t,ro young daughters, an orphan girl, Lucy B—, a native of Liverpool. She was well acquainted with the English and French languages, drawing, and music. Possess. jug a sweet temper and engaging manners, she was greatly respeotel and beloved by M. and Madame S—. When they went to their country seat, in the beginning of summer, she went with them. There she became quits melancholy, and though every means were employed to divert her, she continued in this state and refu.ed to give any reason for it. At length she attempted to commit suicide by means of the fumes of charcoal, but she was discovered in time to prevent the completion of her design. A physician Was called in, who directed that she should be carefully watched. This was done; but one day Lucy B— suddenly disappeared, and no one was able to toll where she had gone. Fifteen days passed from the period of her disappearance. At the end of that time a disagreeable smell was noticed is the house, and it was traced to a room which was merely used sea lumber-room, and was scarcely ever entered. A large chest resting on a box containing books was found there. The chest was opened, and in it was discovered the half.decomposed body of Lucy. She held fast in her right hand a photograph of M. S—, which she asked for a few days before, and on the hack of it was written the following words :—"M. S—, I ask your pardon for my death. I loved you. Not daring to tell you, and too weak to leave you, I thought that I must die. I else ask pardon of Madame S—, who was so good to me." The yes/Ayer/pm examination proved that ehe must have Made several attempts at suicide. for in her stomach were found pins, nails, and poison.