Hannah Greenfield was found at the foot of the staircase quite dead, with her head battered
The village policeman of Robertsbridge Sussex was informed that Herbert Greenfield, 35 years of age, laborer, had murdered his mother,78, the son having previously told the neighbor of the occurrence. The woman was found at the foot of the staircase quite dead, with her head battered in, apparently by a stone jug, which lay in pieces near the spot. There were no signs of struggle, hot was quite cold, and death appeared to have taken the previous evening. The deceased is said to have given way to habits of intemperance.
Hannah Waghorne was born in Saleshurst East Sussex in 1817 second child of seven born to Samuel Waghorne, a Bricklayer from Saleshurst Sussex, and Mary Erry from Piddinghoe Sussex.
On 2nd October 1836 in Hollington Hastings at age 19 she married Levi Nicholls 21-year-old Levi Nicholls, a Lathe Render, also from Saleshurst. and she gave birth to their first child William in February 1838, sadly she became a widow on 26th July 1839, when Levi died of Typhus Fever at age 24.
she moved back in with her family and worked as a laundress.
on 25 Dec 1852 at St Mary the Virgin Church in Saleshurst, age 35 she married Thomas Greenfield, age 43.
Thomas was a Bricklayer and Widower with two children Christina age 15 and George age 9
Their son Clarence was born in November 1853
Her father Samuel died in November 1854, aged 74, and was laid to rest in the parish church and her mother moved in with them.
Hannah then gave birth to Raymond in March 1855 followed by Herbert in September 1858 and last was Craven in January 1861
Her mother died in May 1869 aged 78 and was laid to rest with her father at the parish church.
Their son Clarence had become a Carpenter and Married on 2 Apr 1877 in Saleshurst Parish Church, Sussex to Mary Ann Dale and Mary gave birth to their firstborn Eliza in Nov that year.
On 22nd April 1879, her husband George aged 67, passed away from Apoplexy Exhaustion. according to reports he had been suffering from Dementia.
By 1881, Raymond was lodging in Lindfield Sussex working as a Grocers Assistant and Craven was lodging in Croydon working as a Gardener.
Herbert was the only one left living at home. He had followed in his father's footsteps to become a bricklayer but also did gardening work.
On 29 Apr 1882 at St. Matthews Church, Redhill, Surrey Raymond married Ellen Ryan
On 25 Dec 1884, Craven married Alice Foster at Heckfield and Mattingley parish in Hampshire
On 23rd April 1888 Clarence died at Northbridge Saleshurst. age 34 from pneumonic phthisis (tuberculosis) Mary and Clarence had 7 children 3 Girls and 4 Boys, The oldest was 11 and the youngest was 2 when he died
By 1891, Herbert was still the only one living at home, unmarried and financially supporting his mother, who was then age 75.
On Tuesday 23rd January 1894 at twenty minutes to eight, Herbert Greenfield, who had always been looked upon as the quietest. the most inoffensive man, casually informed a neighbor named Glyde that he had killed his mother. The village policeman, P.C. Tappenden, was immediately called upon by Herbert and Glyde and after Herbert's confession, the three proceeded to the dwelling house, where in the passage at the foot of the narrow stairway laid the body of Mrs. Greenfield, with the head battered in and blood freely spattered around. There were no signs of struggle and a large blue stone pot jug was found near the body and was the weapon used by the murderer. The woman’s bed had not been slept in, and, from the fact that the body was cold and that no screams or sounds were heard by the neighbors during the night, it is supposed that the crime was committed some hours previously.
The deceased woman was last seen alive at six o’clock on Monday evening so a period of nearly fourteen hours had to be accounted for.
Mrs. Greenfield was said to have been a woman well-known and respected in the village. She had attained the age of seventy-seven, so that whether she was attacked unawares or not, she would have offered very little resistance. It is said, however, that she had latterly taken to drink, and the theory of those on the spot, was that this was the cause of a quarrel between her and her son.
Herbert was employed by Mr. W. R. Adamson, J.P., and, Mother and son, had resided with his mother, at 6 Pipers cottage for many years.
Herbert had bore a remarkably good character. For a good many years, he attended ''Bethel” a Calvinistic place of worship in the main street of Robertsbridge, but of later years he had been a worshipper at the Parish church of Saleshurst,. Although over a mile distant from Robertsbridge, it is the Church of England place of worship for Robertsbridge.
People who have known the family for years stated that the father of the accused died at about the age of 40, and was described as going ''queer in his head'' during his later years.
On Wednesday morning, at the Hurst Green Police court, before Mr G. F. Gregory, Esq. (in the chair), and Mr W. O. Carter, Esq.,
Greenfield was brought up in custody charged with murdering Hannah Greenfield, his mother, at Robertsbridge,
Mr. H. Prince, of Brighton, appeared for the prosecution and stated he should only call sufficient evidence to justify a remand, a post-mortem examination was being made and an inquest was also being held that day.
P.C Henry Tappenden gave his statement -
''l am a P.C. stationed at Robertsbridge. I know the prisoner. He came to my house yesterday morning, about 7.40 a.m., and then made a statement to me. I cautioned him. I said anything you may say will be taken down and used against you as evidence''.
''Previous to the caution, I did not know his errand, he said, '' I have come to give myself up; I have killed my mother.” That was all he said. I knew where he lived, and he had up till then resided with his mother. I went to the house where the prisoner had lived with his mother, about a quarter of a mile from my house. There was not a word passed on the way with the prisoner. When I got to the house, I saw the dead body of a woman lying in the passage.
James Glyde and the prisoner were with me. The body was that of the mother of the prisoner, Hannah Greenfield''
The prisoner, who appeared to feel his position very acutely, was remanded to the petty sessions on the afternoon of, Wednesday 31st Jan, at two p.m.
At the inquest on the afternoon of Wednesday 25th January Mr. C. Sheppard (Coroner for the Rape of Hastings), held the inquest at the George Hotel, Robertsbridge,
Mr. D. N. Olney was chosen foreman of the jury, and Mr. Prince appeared to represent the Crown and chief constable.
The first witness was Edith Greenfield, who said: —
''l live at Saleshurst, and a single woman. I have seen the body of the woman at the house in Pipers-lane. it is that of my grandmother, Hannah Greenfield. She was 78 years of age and a widow. She lived at the cottage with her son, Herbert Greenfield, who is a laborer, 37 years of age and has been working for Mr. Adamson.
Mr Prince - When did you last see your deceased grandmother alive?
Edith - ''About two o’clock last Friday afternoon, when she was in her usual health. I met her in the street. She looked at me strangely, and I asked what was the matter and she said, "Nothing the matter with me, Edie.” ''
Mr. Prince remarked that there was nothing in this, and it need not be taken.
Evidence continued—
Edith - ''On Saturday night I saw Herbert at Saleshurst when he called at my mother’s house. He remained with us from about six to ten. In the course of the conversation be said " Mother was so cross when I came home from work; I don’t know what was the matter with her.”
Mr Prince - ''Have you heard him make any complaint as to your mother, as to how she went on during the last year or so?''
Edith - ''Occasionally he has complained''.
Mr Prince - ''What has been the nature of his complaint?''
Edith - ''It was that drink was at the bottom of it. He has come home and found her the worst for drink. He has also complained that the house was untidy.''
Examination continued—
Edith - ''l know the rooms they occupy. The prisoner slept in the room at the top of the stairs. This has been his room for as long as I can recollect. The deceased occupied the bedroom on the left-hand side''.
Witness at this point identified the pieces of blue and white jug produced (hearing blood stains). It was the jug that had been used in her mother's room. She believed she saw the jug a fortnight ago in the deceased’s bedroom. The jug was then cracked but in use. She also recognized the torn cap produced, which the deceased usually wore in the morning.
Next was Agnes Glyde —
''l am the wife of James Glyde, a gamekeeper, of Robertsbridge, and I knew deceased very well. I recollect seeing her on Monday morning, last, about twenty minutes to twelve. She then came into my house and had a conversation with me about a letter. She asked me to let her stop at my house to meet the mid-day postman, and I consented''.
Mr Prince - ''Did she give any reason?''
Agnes - ''She said she expected a letter from her son Crate. She said she expected a few shillings in the letter, and she did not want her son indoors to know''.
Mr Prince - ''That would be her son Herbert?''
Agnes - ''Yes''.
Mr Prince - ''Had you seen him about that day?''
Agnes - ''Yes, and she told me he was indoors''.
In answer to the Coroner— ''l have never seen her the worse for a drink''.
Mr. Prince said he could not prove whether the letter the deceased expected was delivered, although he believed it was.
Next was a man named David Wilmshurst -
''l am an assistant to Mr. Martin, Grocer, of Robertsbridge. The deceased was a customer at the shop, and I have known her for ten years or more. I recollect her coming to the shop between seven-thirty and eight o'clock on Monday night. She purchased groceries. The lane in which she lived, a little way down, can be seen from the shop door.
he replied to a question from the Coroner—''So far as I could judge, she left our shop to go home''.
Mr Prince ''Do you know which way she went?''
Witness —No. Mr. Prince
Foreman - Did she then seem in her usual state of health
Witness —''Yes''.
Next to stand was Samuel Martin—
''l formerly worked for Mr. Martin, a Grocer, and left in consequence of ill health about a fortnight ago. I know Herbert Greenfield. Yesterday morning, at about 7.16, I saw him coming from the direction of his own house''.
Mr Prince - ''Who spoke first?''
Witness - ''I said Good morning, Harley I always called him Harley."
Mr Prince - ''What did he say?''
Witness - ''He said ''Good morning, Sam'', and I asked, Are you out of work, Harley ? and he said Yes."
Mr Prince - ''At that time did you notice any difference from what was his usual appearance?''
Witness - ''Yes; looked very strange, and when I first saw him I hardly knew him''.
Mr Prince ''Did that cause you to ask him if there was anything the matter?''
Witness —''Yes; I asked him if he wasn’t well''.
Mr Prince - ''What did he reply?''
Witness - ''He said Yes, and in a minute or two he said, ''I had a row with my mother last night, and I knocked her down and killed her.”
Mr Prince ''Did he say where it had been done or how?''
Witness - ''No''.
The Coroner— ''Is that all he said?''
Witness - ''Yes. I went indoors and left him standing there. I was unwell at the time, and what he said affected me very much''.
Evidence continued—
Witness ''I came out again in a few minutes, and then I found he had gone. I did not notice his clothes or whether there were marks on them''.
Next to take the stand was James Glyde —
''l reside at Robertsbridge. and am a gamekeeper. I knew the deceased, and also her son Herbert. I reside next door but one to the cottage where they have lived in Pipers-lane. At around seven thirty yesterday morning I met Herbert close to P.C. Tappenden's house. He came across the road to me. The spot is about 900 yards from the cottage''
Mr Prince ''Just tell us what he said?''
James —''I said Good morning, Harley,” and he made no reply to that, but then he said I am a bad chap. He repeated these words three times. I asked him Why and he said ''I have killed my mother.”
Mr Prince ''Did he say when or how?''
James - ''No''
Evidence continued—
Witness-''I said ''Never!” and he said ''I have.”
Mr Prince - ''Then what did he say?''
Witness —''He said, I did it the first blow.”
Mr Prince ''Did say when it was done?''
Witness - ''I asked him, ” When did you do it? and he said, Last night. He said he did it with one blow, he put up his clenched fist, and I saw some blood marks on the knuckles. I asked him what time he did it, but he made no reply''.
Mr Prince - ''Was anything asked about bed?''
Witness —''I asked him whether he had been to bed, and he said, I have been upstairs.”
The Coroner—''Did he seem strange?''
Witness —''He looked very strange and excited''
Examination continued—
''He said he was going to give himself up, and I saw him knock at P.C. Tappenden's door. Tappenden came down and let him in for about two minutes''.
The Coroner — ''He went voluntarily, You did not take him?''
James Glyde replied ''No''.
The witness added that afterward, he accompanied the constable and prisoner to the cottage and he saw the old lady lying in the passage dead.
Next stood P.C. Henry Tappenden -
''l am stationed at Robertsbridge. I have known Herbert Greenfield for about two years. Yesterday morning, at about 7.40, he came to my house in company with Glyde. He called me to come down, as he wanted me very much. I was in bed and was aroused by a knock on the door. When I opened the door Greenfield walked inside, followed by Glyde. When they got inside Greenfield said, I want to give myself up, I have killed my mother.”
Mr. Prince ''Were they the first words he said?''
Witness—''Yes, and the only words. I cautioned him in the usual way and told him anything he said would be taken down in writing, and might be used as evidence against him.
As a matter of fact, I don’t think spoke again —He did not say another word''.
Mr Prince ''How far is your house from the cottage?''
Witness —''A short quarter of a mile, perhaps 800 yards.''
Examination continued—
''l took him to the cottage in company with Glyde, and on the way did not say a word. On reaching the cottage, I saw the deceased lying on her back in the passage. She was dead. The door of the cottage was standing wide open. We reached the cottage about ten minutes to eight. I felt the deceased's legs and hands and found they were cold and stiff. I did not feel her heart or body. I sent for the doctor at once''.
By the Coroner ''Did you see anyone else in the house?''
Witness - ''l did not go upstairs then, and cannot say whether there was anyone else in the house''.
Examination resumed—
''She was lying on her back at full length in the passage. An old flannel (produced) lay over the left side of the face. The flannel appeared to have been thrown over the face. The doctor saw the body in the same position as when I first saw it. In the neighborhood of the head, I found the broken crockery (produced); it was lying around the head on the floor. The pieces of crockery were in the same condition as now, and some had blood and hair upon them. The carpet and mat produced taken from the passage also had blood upon them. The mat was lying under the deceased’s head and shoulders. Up to this time, I had not made any formal charge, but I then charged him with the murder of his mother on his confession and took him into custody. I conveyed him to Hurst Green lookup. He made no reply to the charge''.
Next was Sergeant Baldock —
''l am in charge of the Hurst Green district. At nine-fifteen yesterday morning PC Tappenden brought Herbert Greenfield to my place. He said, "I charge this young man with murder, sergeant” I entered the charge and read it to him, and he made no answer. Later in the morning, I examined the cottage. The doctor was present. The body lay full length in the passage. It was taken from the passage and laid on a sofa in the living room. In the vicinity of the head of the deceased in the passage I found about 40 pieces of crockery, apparently belonging to a water jug. There was blood and hair on some of the pieces. I collected the pieces, and they have been in my possession since. The pieces had the appearance of having been recently broken. As far as I could judge, there were no indications of a struggle. The iron candlestick produced also lay near the body in the passage. The sacking or carpet and flannel produced have since been in my possession. I also produced two sheets; they were taken from what had been described as Herbert Greenfield’s room. The bed appeared to have been slept in, and there were blood marks on the sheets. The torn cap produced was found in the passage under the body.''
By Mr. Weeks (a juror)— ''The pieces of crockery lay close up to the head''.
By Mr. Nicholls (a juror)— ''Blood might have flowed from the head onto some of the smaller pieces''
By Mr. Prince—''Some of the small pieces were quite covered with blood. The larger pieces with blood on them could not have had the blood flow upon them from the head, as they were too far away''.
Next to give witness was Mr. Charles Hoar —
''l am a Bachelor of Medicine, practicing st Robertsbridge. I was called to see the body of the deceased about eight o’clock. I reached the cottage at about eight fifteen. I went there with PC Tappenden. The Deceased’s body lay stretched out in the passage, with her head resting against the sill of the door at the stairs, and her towards the door. She couldn't have fallen downstairs in the position in which I found her. The position of the body prevented the door from being fully opened, The body was dressed and had both boots and stockings on. There was a great deal of blood about. A large Quantity had been oozing from a wound on the forehead. There were some blood spots on the whitewashed door leading to the upstairs. When I saw the body blood was oozing from a wound on the left side of the forehead. The mat underneath the head was saturated with blood, which had run right through to the bricks. Blood had also come from the nose. Later on, I had the body moved onto the sofa in the kitchen, adjoining the passage. In my opinion, the deceased had been dead six or eight hours before I saw her. Except for the belly, all the parts of the body were cold.''
''This morning I made a post-mortem examination of the body. Having regard to her age, the deceased was fairly well-nourished. I found no injuries on the body besides a slight abrasion of the left elbow. On examining the head externally I found a gaping wound on the frontal bone over the left eye. In my opinion, this injury was caused by some blunt or jagged instrument, and it would require a heavy blow to make such a wound. The scalp felt "boggy,” as if the head had been knocked about. There was no fracture of the skull itself. On examining the brain, I saw the upper surface was very dark and purple. The dark color indicated congestion, and that blood had been oozing out. On taking off the outer covering I found a mass of congestion; especially on the left side just under the wound. The brain itself was very healthy. The nasal bones were all broken into little bits as if there had been tremendous violence. Such injuries must have been caused by a blunt instrument, wielded with great force. A fist could not have done it. On opening the body I found the organs healthy, except the heart and right kidney. There was a bony deposit from old age in one of the valves of the heart. The kidney was soft, instead of tense, as a healthy kidney should be. I should expect to find these conditions in an In my opinion these indications had nothing to do with death. I think death was caused by shock to the brain caused by violence. The violence which must have been used would have caused instantaneous insensibility. The injuries were such might have been caused by a blow from the jug.''
By the foreman—''I think she must have had several blows''.
By the Coroner —''She could have fallen downstairs and caused the injuries, but then she would not be in the position in which she was found. The marks on the sheet produced (taken from Herbert Greenfield’s bed) had every appearance of human blood. The blood on the pieces of crockery was human, and the hairs were human''.
By a juror—''She might have been knocked down with the fist and then struck by the jug.''
Next to give evidence was John Alfred Jempson
''l work on Mr. Adamson's estate at Vine Hall. I know Herbert Greenfield, and we have worked together for some years. Last Sunday I went to his cottage and saw him. He told me he had done something wrong to a person whose name he mentioned. The old lady was there and heard what was said. As I was leaving the old lady said to him, Herbert, shall you go to work tomorrow and he replied No; I shall be in hell tomorrow." He seemed greatly distressed in his mind.''
Mr. Prince then stated that this was the whole of the evidence he had to offer the jury.
The Coroner then summed up. He thanked Mr. Prince for his aid and then proceeded to remark that the inquiry was one of great importance and moment. It not only related to the death of one fellow creature but also involved the question of whether another fellow creature should be put on trial for the most serious of offenses. After going through the chief points of the evidence, he said the three things for the consideration of the jury were:
(1) What had caused death; (2) by whose hand was death caused; and (3) if by Greenfield, what was the degree of the criminality? Had they any reasonable doubt that the injuries were inflicted by Greenfield?
Passing on, the Coroner gave directions upon what constituted the law of murder. If they considered the injuries were caused by the son then he considered they could only find one verdict.
The Court was cleared, and the jury deliberated in private for a quarter of an hour.
The Coroner afterward announced that they had returned a verdict of Wilful murder against Herbert Greenfield.
The Prisoner, who is said to have been somewhat strange recently, was removed in a dazed condition and subsequently conveyed to Lewes Gaol on remand.
On 31st January, Magistrate Mr W O Carter Esq of Hurst Green wrote his warrant for the trial.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Richard Noakes, of Robertsbridge and Hannah Greenfield was interred in Saleshurst Parish Church on Sunday 28th January, The body was placed in a plain Elm coffin with black furniture and was conveyed to the burying place in a hearse.
The relatives, following a private bus, were: Mr William Nicolls (a son of deceased by her first husband), Mr Clarence Greenfield and Mr Craven Greenfield (sons), and Miss Edith Greenfield (granddaughter).
Lots of people in the street witnessed the procession, and the blinds in many of the houses were drawn.
The Rector (the Rev. R. W. Loosemore) met the party at the entrance to the church, and commenced the service, with about 30 people being present, This number was greatly increased at the graveside.
The following inscription was on the coffin :
"Hannah Greenfield, died 22nd January, aged 78 years."
Sgt. Baldock and P.C. Tappenden, of the East Sussex Constabulary, were in attendance, but, owing to the orderly and unostentatious manner in which the proceedings were carried out, their dirties were not very onerous.
Preaching in the morning, the Rector referred to the influence of evil at work in the world, and of the danger of entertaining evil thoughts, such as envy, hatred, and malice, which, unchecked, led to deeds of violence, and spoke the great importance of watchfulness against evil affections that rose within. There was the danger of sudden fall, and Satan might enter in, and goad given to any deed of iniquity. He dwelt upon the necessity of remembering the early instruction they had received as to the regulation of the passions, and they should always " Watch and pray,' for they knew not how they might be tempted at any moment.
In the course of conversation at the close of the funeral, the Rev. said that Herbert Greenfield, who, as seen by the report of the proceedings before the Bench at Hurst Green on Wednesday has been Committed to taking his trial at the next Sussex Assizes for the murder of his mother—was a frequent attendee of the church, and had always apparently most devoutly followed the service. He seemed a very quiet and respectable fellow, and the event had come upon him as a terrible surprise. During the whole of 38 years experience he had never heard of serious crime in the neighbourhood.
The commission for the Sussex Winter Assizes was opened in Lewes on Saturday 10th February by Mr. Justice Cave.
The Judge arrived in the town overnight and proceeded to the County Hall at eleven o’clock on Saturday morning, where, after the usual formalities, the Grand Jury was sworn in as follows:
Hugh Wyatt, Esq. (Foreman).Mr F. S. Shenstone, Esq. Major C. H. Borrer Mr J. O. Blencowe, Esq. Mr O. A. Wallis, Esq., Mr Francis Bare hard. Esq. Mr A Henty, Esq., Lieut.-Col St. John, Mr E. Hussey, Esq., Mr W. H. Campion, Esq. Major-Gen. Fitzhugh. Lieut.-CoL R. B. Ingram. Lieut. Col H. Lane. Baron G. de Worms. Mr W. Borrer. Jun., Esq. Mr K. R. Murchison. Esq. Mr E. Broadwood, Esq. Mr H. Hargood, Esq. Mr Wildman Cattley. Esq- Mr J. R. C. Sclater, Esq. Mr A Weekes, Esq. Mr C. P. Henty, Esq. and Mr W. O. Cotesworth, Esq.
In charging the Grand Jury, his lordship said he was glad to say that there was not a very heavy calendar for them to deal with. There were some sixteen persons committed for trial, a number which seemed to him to be considerably below the average. Unfortunately amongst them, there was one case of murder, the circumstances of which were slightly peculiar. The man who was charged with the murder was Herbert Greenfield, and he was charged with the murder of his mother, and there seemed no doubt in the facts that that murder was committed. The question would no doubt arise as to the state of the mind of the prisoner, and whether was in such a condition as to admit of his taking his trial. That was a matter, of course, with which they had nothing to do. The only question that they had to satisfy themselves about was whether there was prima facie evidence that the mother came by her death at the hands of her son, and he did not think there was anything that would lead to any doubt concerning a conclusion on that point.
Herbert Greenfield appeared before the court on the 13th of February with Mr. H S Day and Mr. Slade Butler representing, the Crown, and Mr. Boxall, with Mr. Murphy instructed by Mr J C Buckwell for his Defence.
When the prisoner was placed in the dock, Mr. Boxall, addressing the Judge said he had been instructed by Mr. Murphy to defend the prisoner, and he begged to submit that Greenfield was insane and incapable of pleading.
His Lordship said the Jury must be empanelled to try that issue, and then 12 Jury men were sworn in for that purpose.
Mr. Day on behalf of the Crown, who was prosecuting, as Mr. Boxall had said it would for him (the counsel) to call before the Jury the medical witnesses who had seen the prisoner.
First to give evidence was Dr Charles Edward Saunders, the Medical Superintendent at the lunatic Asylum at Haywards Heath. He deposed that he first met the prisoner on February 6th, when he had an interview with him at some considerable length.
Mr. Day ''Having regard to the question before the Court, will you tell us what you observed''
Dr. Saunders replied ''He was an extremely weak-minded man who could not fix his attention on what was asked of him. He had lost all moral sense, owing to vicious habits, and he had very much depressed and was in a melancholy condition from something he had done, not connected with the murder. This act had so stressed his whole attention as to be present as a sin of great enormity and for a long time past had less his natural state. His mind was morally debased, and the doctor detailed the vicious habits of the prisoner, which were evidence of his insanity. The prisoner's family history was a bad one. One maternal uncle was of unsound mind, another maternal had committed suicide, while an Aunt was stated to be very strange, and unable to her affairs. His father died after an attack of paralysis and dementia that followed''.
Mr Day - ''Did you then form an opinion as to his insanity?''
Dr Saunders replied - ''I concluded that he was insane, unable to understand the nature of his crime, and could not follow evidence or instruct counsel. I have seen him again today''.
Mr Day - ''Will you tell us what you observed today?''
Dr Saunders replied ''I tried to impress the importance of his position. He laughed at me and told me not to bother him with silly questions like that. He clearly did not understand what I was saying to him''.
Mr Day - ''So as far as you are concerned is he in a position to follow evidence and instruct counsel?''
Dr Saunders replied - ''Certainly not''.
Then Mr. Richard Turner, the Medical officer to The Prison then took the stand -
''I first saw the prisoner on the 25th of January and have seen him constantly since then.
He then detailed the results of the special observations of the prisoner and said he was in a depressed condition. He answered questions with great difficulty and was unable to speak consecutively on what was addressed to him and would tell me nothing about the crime or himself. He was quite unfit to plead the offense with which he was charged. He was seen by myself and Mr Fawcett on February 7th, and his asylum was recommended by Mr. C. E. Kemp and Mr. Whitfeld''.
Mr. Day said did not think it could be useful to call another witness.
Mr. Boxall said he had no further observations to make.
His Lordship having addressed the jury, they entered a verdict that the prisoner was insane and unable to plead, and he was, therefore, ordered to be detained during his Majesty's pleasure.
Life After
Herbert was sent to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum and he remained there until he died on 31st January 1917 from Blight disease at age 58.
Craven and Alice had 5 children, 3 boys, and 2 girls and he is recorded as a gardener at Capenor, Nutfield, Surrey in 1901. 1939 he was working as a gardener for the Vicar at the Vicarage in Epping, Essex living in a flat above the stables. He died aged 85 on 14 Nov 1946 at his home in Vicarage Corner Hemnall Street Epping Essex
Raymond and Ellen had 2 daughters and he eventually became a Grocer. He died on 11 July 1931 at Blean, Kent age 76.
SOURCES
(1894, January 27). Shocking murder at Robertsbridge. Sussex Express, pg7.
(1894, January 30). Alleged Murder in East Sussex. Mid Sussex Times, pg8.
(1894, February 3). Funeral of the Deceased. Hastings and St Leonards Observer, pg2.
(1894, February 16). Sussex Winter Assizes. Sussex Express, pg3.
(1894, February 20). A Terrible Warning. Mid Sussex Times, pg1.
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