PRISONER'S STARTLING CONFESSION -HIS PATHETIC MESSAGE TO HIS FATHER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 52, 2 March 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

PRISONER'S STARTLING CONFESSION -HIS PATHETIC MESSAGE TO HIS FATHER.

In the drizzling rain outside the dingylooking Westminster police court in Rochester Row there were collected a little crowd of people.

They were waiting for admittance to the Court and to catch a glimpse of the man who Is charged with the murder of Mr William Pearson and the shooting of Mrs Rhoda King, the wife of a printer In the Ordnance Survey Department at Southampton.

George Henry Hill, as the prisoner called himself, when asked by the police for his name, had already been brought to the Court from Larkhall Lane Police Station, and lodged in the cells.

It turns out that the prisoner's real name Is George Parker, and his parents reside at Studley, Sn Warwickshire. ~

Nevertheless, he was described as George Hill ou the charge-sheet.

The night in the cells was passed by Hill very quietly; he was quite cool and slept well. Before being brought into Court to-day he sat in the cell calmly

READING A NEWSPAPER. After Mr Hopkins had disposed of a few applications and night charges, Hill was ushered in. A superb specimen of a man, sturdily built, and nearly 6ft tall, Hill wore a goodnatured look about h!m that one would never associate with such a crime. His hair is light brown, and he has a slight moustache. He wore an almost new grey "reefer" suit.

Iv the dork he appeared to feel his posi tlon acutely.

Leaning on the rail, he kept hi. eyc_ cast down and his arms folded.

At the" outset Inspector Allen, of Larkhall Lane, asked the magistrate to tuUc only sufficient evidence to justify a remand.

Prisoner is the son of a needle-pointer, and only 23 years of age. On the chargesheet he was described as a groom of Vineyard, Camden-street, Birmingham.

On Hill at the time of his arrest were found a purse containing £5 in gold and a leather cigar case, both the property of the murdered man. The police also took from the prisoner a gun license, a soldier's discharge, several dice, and a pawnbroker's contract for a watch. The revolver, which was found on the railway line, was loaded In sis chambers, and had two discharges.

Very briefly, then, the inspector told the magistrate the story of the crime. Mrs King entered the train at Southampton, the prisoner joining it at Eastleigh.

At Winchester the murdered man, Mr Pearson, joined the occupants.

"Nothing unusual happened," continued the inspector, "until after passing Surbiton, when tbe prisoner SHOT MR PEARSON AND ALSO SHOT THE LADY." Holding a yellow-coloured paper in his hand, Inspector Coggliis, a grizzle-haired officer, walked up to the box. The prisoner, he said, was brought to 'Lark-tall Lnue Police Station by Policeconstable 14:> L at five minutes past two.

After inquiries had been made, the prisoner was, at about half-past five, charged.

"The charge was read over to him," said the witness, "by Inspector Allen, and the prisoner made no reply."

Hill was taken to the cells, and at twenty minutes to seven he asked for writing material.

"I wish to make a full confession of the crime," he said.

"Did he say that?" asked the magistrate. "Yes," replied the inspector, "and I cautioned him."

'-He then wrote out this statement," continued the witness, handing up the yellow paper, "and handed it to me at eight o'clock."

"Was the whole of it written by him?" Mr Hopkins asked; and the inspector said It was. "It Is directed to James Parker hig father," he added.

"Read It," said the magistrate, and only the sound of the inspector's deep voice could be heard In court as he read out tup confession:—

"Dear Father,—l am writing this from a prison cell.

"I am here charged with the murder of a man from Winchester, and also with wounding a woman by shooting at her with a revolver.

"1 must have been mad. I do not know what I did it for. I had no excuse. I believe lam going mad. Do not let this trouble you or hurt your feelings In any way. I know I have not been the best of sons to you and mother.

"Had you not have broken up the home while I was In the Royal "Marine Light infantry I may have been a better man. But, however, it is all done now. I shall get hung. "As you know, I have not seen much of home. I have,always longed to be abroad and be out of England for ever. But now 1 shall be FREE FROM ALL TROUBLE. "Let all my brothers and sisters read this, and tell them to take advice from me. Live a straightforward life; never crave for money. It Is that which has been the ruination of my life. I have gone through hundreds of pounds.

''•Don't be led away by girls' looks—pretty girls, I mean. It Is through some of them that I have been In so much trouble. I have been easily led by them, but there is one girl nt Portsmouth whom I love better than gold. She Is not good-looking, but I love her dearly, and she does me.

"I promised that I would fetch her away from home next week, as she is not happy there.

"•I have been in Portsmouth since last Saturday. I have spent over £!) since then.

"I left there on the Wednesday, the ltith. I got out at Southampton. She came with me. We stayed there for the night. We left there to-day.

"We both got out at Eastleigh. I saw her safely in the train for Portsmouth. 1 think she will destroy herself now. I would like to see her once more before I die, for I love her dearly.

"I think I will draw to a close now, hoplug to have one more letter from you before I go to give an account of myself. "You will hear from me apaln. I remain your wretched and broken-hearted son, ; "GEO. H. PARKER. "To Mr James Parker, The Common, Studley, Warwickshire."

That constituted the whole of the evidence to be given to-day, and the magistrate, looking straight at the prisoner, said: "You will be remanded f.r a week. Have you anything to say?"

In a firm voice, Hill, pulling himself up, said: "No, sir," and, turning sharply, was hurried out of court.