A murder, or homicide, of a very unusual kind has
been perpe- trated in the Militia Barracks at Kingston. A young girl, 'Diana Wickens, was residing in the barrack with her step-sister, the wife of Sergeant-Major Bradish. On Tuesday morning the sergeant-major went out, and his wife arose from her bed and going into the next apart- ment, cut the throat of Miss Wickens as she lay asleep. Then she went out into the barrack-yard, and meeting a serjeant said, "Come up, Serjeant Oates, I have murdered my sister." To a constable she said "I have cat that young woman's throat, and you must take me to the station." During the proceedings before the magistrates Mrs. Bradish, as the witnesses gave evidence, frequently cried out, "Oh, it is not true, it cannot be true !" "Oh, I did not, I could not do it I" "Oh, it is not true! it is not true ! it cannot be—it is a tale 4af fiction; and not of reality! If it is true, pray for me, pray for me ! Oh, let me retrace my steps to my home! I am sure it cannot be !" She was committed for trial. No motive whatever for the crime can be inferred from the evidence. She was seated at the end of the magistrates' table during the proceedings. Her husband, a very re- spectable-looking man, sat by her side all the time, his wretched wife clasping one of his hands tightly in hers during the whole period of the examination, and entreating him in agonized tones not to leave her. A coroner's jury have found a verdict of "Wilful Murder."
Previous page
