1910 - The Ore Murder
This murder occurred around 1910 in Ore and featured a hatchet as the murder weapon[1].
William Wisby was subsequently charged that on the 28th March he feloniously, maliciously,and with malice aforethought attempted to kill and murder one Albert Tollett by striking him on the head with a hatchet[1].
Extracts taken from the reporting of the associated Coroner's Inquest are below;
The Scene[edit]
Frank Beney, assistant to the Borough Engineer's Office produced a plan showing the locations of Tester's Cottages and Fairlight Road. At the end of the row of cottages was a dry ditch around 3 feet (0.91 m) wide and 2 feet 9 inches (0.84 m) deep. The witnesses to the Coroner's court indicated their approximate locations on this plan.
Police Report[edit]
On March 28th at 10:30 am, I saw Tollett at the Millers' Arms with a woman named Wisby. I asked him what was the matter, but he would not speak to me. He then went out of the door and returned home. An hour later, I stopped at the door and said "What were you having that old buck for?" He replied something to me first, which I do not know.
The witness (Mrs. Wisby) said she had been on the range all day till three, then went in her house. Mr. Morgan asked her if she had forgotten the wood-chopping because it was a holiday. She replied that she had forgotten because it was a holiday.
The witness also stated that Tollett was using expressions which were not very nice and seemed to be in a temper. The deposition (Tollett's statement) said that he hit Wisby first, but then his brother-in-law intervened and restrained him. He said "I will find him and kill him."
Testimony[edit]
The witness (Mrs. Wisby) stated that she had been standing in her own part of the garden when Tollett came to talk to her. She did not see any sign of Wisby, but heard a blow being struck.
"I was sitting under my window when I saw the prisoner come in and hit me on the top of the head with something hard," Mrs. Wisby said.
The witness also stated that the injuries were inflicted by a sharp instrument. "I was quite shocked at first, but then I realized it was just a blow," she said.
Frederick George Langham, solicitor, Clerk to the Hastings Magistrates, read over Tollett's deposition (which contained the following statement):
"I saw the prisoner at the Millers' Arms at 10:30. I asked him what was the matter, but would not speak to me. He said something in answer, but I do not know what. He hit me on the top of the head with something hard. I could not see anything his hand was holding. He then closed with me and we had a struggle.
The witness (Mr. Langham) replied that Tollett said "Now I will go and find him." The Coroner asked if there were any other injuries besides the black eye and blood running out of the nose. Mr. Langham stated that Tollett knew what he was doing, but his memory was not quite clear.
The witness (Mrs. Wisby) stated that Tollett had been in a grudge with her brother-in-law for some time, and that she did not think it would have made any difference if she had spoken to him sooner.
Evidence[edit]
The Coroner examined the scene of the crime, where he found a sharp blade lodged in the wall near the spot where Wisby was standing. The witness (Mrs. Wisby) also stated that Tollett's brother-in-law had been with them at some point during their conversation, and may have played a role in the incident.
The Coroner asked if there were any other witnesses who could corroborate the evidence of the sharp blade. Mr. Langham said that he was aware of the presence of the chopper in the area, but could not confirm whether it had been used to inflict the injuries.
Verdict[edit]
After considering the testimony from Mrs. Wisby and Mr. Langham, as well as the physical evidence found at the scene, the Coroner found sufficient evidence to conclude that Tollett's actions were manslaughter. The injuries inflicted on Wisby were caused by a sharp instrument.
- ↑ a b British Newspaper Archive Hastings & St. Leonards Observer 23 April 1910 Pg. 0008
