MINISTER MURDERED BY HIS SON.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1046, 13 June 1883, Page 2

MINISTER MURDERED BY HIS SON.

A terrible tragedy occurred at Matlock on Sunday morning 4th March. The Eev. Julius Benn and his son William (who is 20 years of age, and said to be a clerk in London) took apartments lately at Mrs Mavchant’s The Cottage, Chesterfield-road, Matlock Bridge. About 7 o’clock on Sunday morning the landlady heard a noise, which she thought was made by her aged mother getting out of bed. As the gentlemen did not make their appearance at the usual time, Mrs Merchant' went up and knocked at the bedroom, door; in reply she heard a suppressed groan, which she thought was made = by the reverend gentleman whilst . under the , influence of a narcotic which he. occasionally took; When Her husband came from chapel he went up arid knocked three, times at the door. After the third knock the door tvas opened by the : son of the rifurdered - man. He did not speak, but was covered with blood, and pointed to his father, who lay in bed with his skull battered in. Medical aid and the police were sent for, and the prisoner’s wounds having been stitched he was conveyed, through the large crowd to Derby Infirmary, where he now’lies on the way to .recovery. He is said to nave been for some time in a lunatic asylum, but was lately released. When charged with murdering his father, the prisoner said, “ Yes;'; I did it with the chamber utensil.” An inquest was opened on Monday before Deputy-Coroner Brookes, when formal evidence of identification was given, and the enquiry was adjourned. : The deceased clergyman was about 57 years v of age, and a Congregationalist minister, residing at 119 Stepney Green, London, Both. he. and bis, son: are said to have been rrienibefs of. the Blue Ribbon, Army, and deceased always wore the badge in his button hole. . The, object of their visit to, Matlock was for thebenefit of the son’s health as he had, been in a low state for some time. Judging from the appearance of the body as it lay in bed, the fatal blow had been dealt whilst the father was asleep. The son afterwards attempted his own life by cutting his throat with, a; penknife. Great -excitementwas caused in the neighbourhood by the; tragic affair, >.Ani adjourned .inquiry, asVto the death ,of . the. ; Rev; Julius Benn, of 119 Stepney Green, London, was held on Tuesday: morning, before Deputy Coroner Brookes, at: Matlock Bridge.’ f ;MedicaL evidence went to show that after repeated, blows with the, blunt instrument, several.., stabs had . been inflicted under the right ear with,a pocketknife, The police officer who remained for -several Hours with the prisoner in, .Derby Infirmary stated that the man made a.' clean ■ confession of the crime. " This was the-sub-: stance of, the evidence in addition to the statement of ■; the landlord ; of the house where the tragedy occurred. Before the jury retired, John; Wm. ’ Benn, eldest son of the deceased, made a statement to the effect; that the prisoner was • but * merely for the benefit of. his> .health on a probationary term from Bethnal Green Lunatic Asylum, Mr -Benn urged that this statement might induce a rifief.tp.be added to the verdict, but the: cprbner rriled that this would be out of order. The jury shortly afterwards brought a, verdict'of .Wilful .’Murder. :