THE ROAD MURDER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 290, 20 July 1865, Page 3

THE ROAD MURDER.

CONFESSION OF THE MURDERESS,

[From the London Express, April 26.]

Ajtee the lapse of five years the mystery of the Road murder is partially cleared up and Constance Rent, the sister of the little boy who was murdered, is in the custody of Superintendent Williamson, of the London detective force, on'her own confession of the crime. Miss Kent left Brighton yesterday morning, in company with a religieuse with whom she had been on intimate terms. On arriving in London they proceeded to the policestation, and the two ladies accompanied by the Rev. Mr Wagner, of St Paul’s, Brighton, had an interview with Mr Superintendent Durrin. The officer was informed of the nature of their visit, and then went across to the chief Magistrate (Sir Thomas Henry), with whom they had an interview in his private room. Inspector Williamson was also in attendance.

Sir Thomas Henry, at this point addressed Miss Kent as follows :—Now, am I to understand that you give yourself up of your own free will ? Miss Kent —Yes, sir.

Sir Thomas Henry—Anything you say will be written down, and may be used in evidence against you.

Miss Kent —Yes, sir. Sir Thomas Henry—ls this paper now produced in your own handwriting, and written by yonr own act and will ? - Miss Kent—lt is. Sir.

Sir Thomas Henry—Then let the charge be entered in her own words.

Inspector Williamson entered the charge as follows—ConstanceEmilieKent, 2 Queen’s-square, Brighton charged upon her own confession with having, alone and unaided, on the night of the 29th June, 1860, murdered at Road-hill House, Wiltshire, one Francis Saville Kent. Mr. Wagner was about to sign the sheet, when Sir Thomas Henry observed that there was no necessity for him to do that, as the prisoner was charged upon her own confession Mr Burnaby (the chief clerk) inquired whether the prisoner spelt her name Emilie or Emily. Miss Kent—lt is indifferent. I sometimes spell it one way and sometimes the other. Mr Burnaby—l see it is spelt Emilie on this paper which you say is in your handwriting. Miss Kent—Yes, sir.

Sir Thomas Henry—Have you any objection to sign that ? I must remind you that this the most serious offence that can be committed. Let me again remind you that anything you say or write may be used against you at your trial. I have had copied on that charge sheet what you have ■written. Ido not wish you to sign it unless you like. Miss Kent—l will do so, if necessary.

The Rev. Mr Wagner deposed to having known Constance Kent nearly two years. As far as he could recollect an English family wrote to him, asking for her admission to St. Mary’s Home, as she had no home, or there was some difficulty. St. Mary’s Home, or Hospital, as it is now called, is attached to St Mary’s Church, and is a house for religious ladies.

Sir Thomas Henry—Now, Mr Wagner, it is my duty to ask you whether you have in any way induced her to make the confession she has now made?

Mr Wagner—No; I hare not in any wav induced her ; it is entirely her own voluntary act, to the best of my belief. It was her own proposition to leave the house and come to London for the purpose of giving herself up. Sir Thomas Henry (reading the paper)— “ That I Constance Emily Kent, alone and unaided, on the night of the 29th June, 1860, murdered at Ttoadbill House, Wiltshire, one Francis Saville Kent”—was that the substance ? Mr Wagner—lt was. - Sir Thomas Henry—Did she make that known to you ? Mr Wagner—Yes, she did. When I speak of confession I should wish to be understood as refer-, ring to public confession. Sir Thomas Henry—l won’t go into that point here. It may be gone into at the trial, perhaps very fully. (To the prisoner)—l hope you understand that whatever you say must be entirely your own free and voluntary statement, and that no inducement that may have been held to you is to have any effect on your mind. Miss Kent —No inducement ever has. Sir Thomas Henry—l was anxious that you should most seriously consider that. Mr Wagner—l wish to mention that many are in the habit of coming to confess to me as a religious exercise, but I never hold out any inducement. Sir Thomas Henry—Yes, I think you ought to men 1 ion that. Did you in the first instance induce her to make the confession ? No, I did not seek her out, or in any way ask her to come to confession. She herself wished to do it. Sir Thomas Henry then, addressing Miss Kent, said: This is the paper you wish to band in as your statement, is it P (holding up the paper already alluded to.) Miss Kent—Yes, Sir. Sir Thomas Henry—Now, understand, it is not too late, even now. I wish to tell you again that this is a very serious charge, and that anything you write or say may be used against yon. You are not obliged to make any statement unless you wish. Chief Clerk—ls this your handwriting ? (holding up the paper.) Miss Kent-—lt is. The Clerk then read the following confession': —“ I Constance Emilie Kent, alone and unaided, on the night of the 29th June, 1860, murdered at Koadhill House, Wiltshire, one Francis Saville Kent. Before the deed no one knew of my intention, nor after it of my guilt. No one assisted me in the crime, nor in the evasion of the discovery.” Sir Thomas Henry—Do you wish to add anything to that statement ? Miss Kent—No, Sir. The warrant was then made out, and Miss Kent removed to Towbridge.