A DERBY TRAGEDY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1016, 12 October 1882, Page 1

A DERBY TRAGEDY.

The death at Fulham ou the 2Gtli May, of a man named John Carlyle, resulted, on the 2nd August, in a verdict of manslaughter against Richard Wills, the indicted clerk ; and, the capital charge having been withdrawn, a sentence of 20 years’ penal servitude was imposed. The case presented features brutal and debased. Wells, who lives apart Iro n his wife, Went down to see the Oaks run at Fmpson, bringing with him a Airs !S) kes, to whom on the course he ii.trod need a chance acquaintance, John Cailyle. Already intoxicated, the three went to Loudon in a hansom, consummg boor and champagne on the way, and reaching Mrs .Sykes’ house at h p.m. A drunken altercation on the doorstep was followed up by a quarrel about the woman, who showed a preference for the new comer Continuing in the drawing-room, and raging with brutal violence in the garden, it ended with a blow on the temples from a full whisky bottle, and a stab of a carving-knife penetrating the lungs of the deceased—slab and blow delivered by the man Wells. Wells accused the only witness, ISykes, as the teierriiua cansa } and it was on account of her character that the jury received her evidence with su;h reserve as to justify a verdict on the lesser charge of manslaughter.