DEATH SENTENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8986, 17 September 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

DEATH SENTENCES.

THE CHARING CROSS MURDER. John George Wenzelj, 25, a German, was placed in the dock, at the Old Bailey, on July 29, for the wilful murder of Joseph Joyce, a police sergeant. Mr. C. Mathews and Mr. H. Avory, instructed by Mr. Frayling, of the Treasury, prosecuted the prisoner's interests were watched by Mr. Geoghegan. Accused, who was dressed in a butcher's blouse, favourably impressed the court by his pleasant, kindly expression and his calm demeanour. In stating the facts counsel for the prosecution said the prisoner had been but a short time in this country. In June last he obtained a situation with a man named Ruhnmnn, a sausage and provision merchant, at 81, Charing Cross Road, and above the shop he occupied a room. About June 19 Wenzel went to Dalston, there to visit a friend, by name Henry Selzer, with whom he had previously lodged, and on that occasion prisoner seemed to have stolen from Selzer's rooms a cash-box containing about £9,' and some memoranda. In the same week it appeared he also stole from Ruhmaqn's apartments, at Samuel Buildings, a gold watch, silver chain, and a revolver. On the 20lh June Selzer discovered the loss of his cash-box, and thereupon he communicated with the police, with the result that Detectivesergeant Joseph Joyce took the matter in hand. In course of conversation the detective taxed Wenzel with the thefts, and the accused prevaricated, and when asked by his employer whether he had taken his property he replied in the negative. Joyce proceeded to feel prisoner's pockets, upon which the accused man remarked, " You should nob do that; you should take me to the police station." Wenzel afterwards asked if he might repair to the adjoining room in order to change his clothes, but was refused, and then all four persons went into the kitchen. Wenzel was standing with his back to the copper, and was noticed to have his hands behind him, while something was heard to fall in the water. Immediately afterwards the sergeant caught hold of his prisoner, burned him round, and then noticed in the copper the missing watch and chain and Selzer's purse, containing a portion of the money stolen. The detective thereupon produced some handcuffs, and succeeded in placing one on the prisoner's left hand. Then, it was alleged, accused put his other hand in his trousers pocket and from it drew a revolver. It was that stolen from Ruhtnann, and was loaded in six chambers. With the weapon Wenzel fired five shots, and two of, the bullets entered the unhappy constable One of the wounds proved fatal, the deceased expiring within an hour, in great agony, at Charing Cross Hospital. Prisoner also fired at Ruhmann and Seizor, who had endeavoured to wrest the revolver from him, and both of them sustained injuries, the former boing wounded seriously. When the police arrived upon the scene the accused behaved somewhat violently, but afterwards, when asked if he wished to see Joyce, who was sinking, ho replied, " Yes, I want to ask him for his forgiveness." The sergeant's dying statement was : "1 was catching a thief when the prisoner in custody fired at me, in Charing Cross Road." Evidence was adduced to bear out these facts, and Mr. Geoghegan, for the defence, maintained that the first shot fired by the accused entered the deceased's arm, and that the second bullet—the one which caused death --was discharged in the struggle that took place, and not deliberately or with the view to kill the detective. Therefore counsel urged that the orimo should be roduced to that of manslaughter, the evidence not substantiating the capital charge. The learned judge having summed up the facts, the jury retired to consider their verdict, and on their return into court the foreman intimated that they found the prisoner Guilty" on the capital charge. Asked whether he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, the accused, speaking in German, said, "I am guilty." Then his lordship assumed the black cap, and, addressing the convicted man, observed : The jury havo come to an inevitable conclusion in finding you guilty. It is, indeed, a sad and melancholy thing to see a man at your age of life brought into this position, and for my part I cannot see what could have induced you to have used such violence as caused the death of this poor man. It is no part of my duty to say anything to harden your position, but I desire to warn you not to allow yourself to hope that the sentence I am about to pass will be changed, and during such time as is left to you hero apply your mind and heart, therefore, to obtaining that forgiveness which God alone can grant for the offence you.have committed. His lordship then passed sentence of death in the usual form, and the prisoner, who preserved his composure to tho last, was removed to the cells. THE WESTMINSTER TRACKDY. At the Central Criminal Court, before Mr. Baron Pollock, James Taylor, aged 00, labourer, was indicted for tho wilful murder of his wife, Maria. Taylor, who is an army pensioner, resided, prior to June last, at 8, Matthewstreet, Westminster, with his wife, the deceasod, who was u widow, and to whom tho prisoner had been married seven years. Tho married life of the parties was a most unhappy one, tho prisoner being given to habits of intemperance. Whilst under the influence of alcohol he evinced a cruel disposition, frequently assaulted his wife, and used threats that he would "do for her." A few days prior ho the tragedy, owing to his extreme violence, the woman and her three children had to leave their homo and take refuge at the houso of a neighbour. Some days before Juno 13 he was in a drunken condition, and on that day he had also been drinking. On the Sunday night the prisoner and his wife went to bed sober, and nothing was heard during the night. In the morning Taylor went to the police station, where lie said to an inspector of police, " You had better go to 8, Mat-thew-street, where you will find something." The inspector asked the prisoner to explain himself. Taylor replied that his wife was dead in bed, ho having struck her on the head with a mangle pin. He added that they would havo to get into the house by the window, as the door was locked, that being tho way in which he left tho house. A police officer was sent to the house, and on an entry being affected through tho window the deceasod was found lying in bed. She was dead, blood flowing from her mouth and ears. A baby was lying asloep in her arm*?. When charged with fche murder the prisoner said, "Me and my missus could nob agree. The children called me names, and she laughed." Tho medical evidence showed that the skull of the woman was fractured, and that death had been almost instantaneous. It was shown, by documents taken from the accused, that he had served 21 years in the army, having enlisted in the Grenadier Guards at Derby. For his services in the Crimea, at Sebastopol, and in Turkey, he received medals and clasps, and on leaving tho army he possessed four good conduct badges. Rose and Emily Smithers, tho stepdaughters of tho prisoner, who resided with their mother at 8, Matthew-street, spoke to the drunken habits of their stepfather, and to the frequent nets of violence on his part towards the deceased whilst under the influence of drink. Mr. Pearce, the divisional surgeon of police, deposed that Mrs. Taylor's death was the result of the fractures on the skull, which might have been caused by the mangle pin (produced), which was found in tho room. For the defence a plea of manslaughter was set up, and ib was urged that the fatal blow was struck in a fit of passion, but without malicious intention. The jury found the prisoner " Guilty," but strongly recommended him to mercy on the ground of the provocation which he had received. Mr. Baron Pollock passed the sentence of death in the usual form. Taylor, who made no remark, was then removed.