The Chronicles of Newgate, vol. 2/2Griffiths, Arthur
History
The Chronicles of Newgate, vol. 2/2
Griffiths, Arthur
Criminals -- Great Britain; Newgate (Prison : London, England); Prisons -- England; Punishment -- Great Britain
the students soon decided that the corpse had not died a natural death.
The snatchers were detained, the police sent for, and arrest followed as
a matter of course.
An inquest was held on the body, which was identified as that of an
Italian boy, Carlo Ferrari, who made a living by exhibiting white mice
about the streets, and the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder
against persons unknown, expressing a strong opinion that Bishop,
Williams, and May had been concerned in the transaction. Meanwhile, a
search had been made at Nova Scotia Gardens, Bethnal Green, where Bishop
and Williams lived. At first nothing peculiar was found; but at a second
search the back-garden ground was dug up, and in one corner, at some
depth, a bundle of clothes were unearthed, which, with a hairy cap, were
known to be what Ferrari had worn when last seen. In another portion of
the garden more clothing, partly male and partly female, was discovered,
plainly pointing to the perpetration of other crimes. These facts were
represented before the police magistrate who examined Bishop and his
fellows, and further incriminating evidence adduced, to the effect that
the prisoners had bartered for a coach to carry "a stiff 'un"; they had
also been seen to leave their cottage, carrying out a sack with
something heavy inside. On this they were fully committed to Newgate for
trial. This trial came off in due course at the Central Criminal Court,
where the prisoners were charged on two counts, one that of the murder
of the Italian boy, the other that of a boy unknown. The evidence from
first to last was circumstantial, but the jury, after a short
deliberation, did not hesitate to bring in a verdict of guilty, and all
three were condemned to death.
Shortly before the day fixed for execution, Bishop made a full
confession, the bulk of which bore the impress of truth, although it
included statements that were improbable and unsubstantiated. He
asserted that the victim was a Lincolnshire lad, and not an Italian boy,
although the latter was fully proved. According to the confession, death
had been inflicted by drowning in a well, whereas the medical evidence
all pointed to violence. It was, however, pretty clear that this victim,
like preceding ones, had been lured to Nova Scotia Gardens, and there
drugged with a large dose of laudanum. While they were in a state of
insensibility the murder was committed. Bishop's confession was endorsed
by Williams, and the immediate result was the respite of May. A very
painful scene occurred in Newgate when the news of his escape from death
was imparted to May. He fainted, and the warrant of mercy nearly proved
his death-blow. The other two looked on at his agitation with an
indifference amounting to apathy. The execution took place a week or two
later, in the presence of such a crowd as had not been seen near Newgate
for years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account