The Cretingham Murder by Sheila Hardy

Author:Sheila Hardy
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780750952590
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2013-06-20T04:00:00+00:00

5

THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER

1887

The courtroom in the little town of Framlingham was packed. There was, we are told, even ‘a fair sprinkling of females’ among the spectators. Such was the wide interest in the case that apart from the twelve reporters representing national and county newspapers, the powerful Pall Mall Gazette had sent an artist to make sketches during the proceedings. Unfortunately, none of these was printed.

This was a special session for the court, one which had caused immediate concern for the local magistrates who usually served as members of the Bench. With the majority of these gentlemen being clergymen, it was questioned if it were not injudicious for clerics to preside in a case involving not one, but two, of themselves. Eventually four lay gentlemen were called for duty that day. Led by the chairman, F.S. Corrance, others were well-known local dignitaries, Col Barlow, C. Austin and J.B. Chevalier.

The case for the prosecution was presented by H.K. Mosely of Ipswich while for the defence, the Gilbert-Coopers had instructed George Dering of Messrs Woodhouse & Co. of Lincoln’s Inn.A further London barrister, C.E. Machen of Southampton Street, The Strand, was present to ‘watch the case’ on behalf of the widow.

Perhaps because the inquest had been given so much space, the Magistrates’ Court hearing did not receive such detailed coverage. Despite his lack of sleep the previous night, all the press reports commented on Arthur’s initial composure and the fact that he answered ‘Not Guilty’ to the charge in a clear voice. Thereafter he sat quietly with his arms folded.

The Dover Express (14 October) gave the following: ‘Mr Mosely for the prosecution related the particulars of the murder. He said the law presumed malice in such a case and it was not for him to suggest a motive but there were several strange circumstances connected with the occurrence.’

At this point three letters were handed to the magistrates’ clerk to read out. These all related to the details of Arthur’s mental instability and his confinement in hospital.

Harriet Louisa was then called upon to repeat her evidence yet again. While she was describing her offer to read to the curate during the evening shortly before the tragedy occurred, Arthur struggled to his feet and in an incoherent manner, said something about appealing. He had to be persuaded by the constables guarding him to resume his seat. Three times more he stood up as if to protest but said nothing. Between these outbursts he persisted in putting on his hat which the constables would remove from his head but not from him entirely.

During her cross-examination by the defence solicitor, Harriet Louisa was asked if she considered the prisoner’s head was ‘not in a fit state’. Before she had time to reply, the prosecution objected to the question, saying that he knew what the defence was but that ‘we must have it regularly.’

Harriet’s own solicitor, C.E. Machen, then stirred things up by asking her ‘Is there the slightest foundation for saying that there was any impropriety

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