A MINISTER MURDERED BY HIS SON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1116, 9 June 1883, Page 3

A MINISTER MURDERED BY HIS SON.

A terrible tragedy occured at Matlock on Sunday morning 4th March. The Rev. Juliue Benn and his son William (who is 20 years of age, and said to be a clerk in London) took apartments lately at Mrs, Marchant’s, The Cottage, Chesterfieldroad, 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. Marchant went up and knocked at the bedroom door; in reply she heard a suppressed groan, which she thought was made by the rev. gentleman whilst under the influence of a narcotic which he occasionally took. When her husband came from chapel, he went up and knocked three times at the door. After the third knock the door was opened by the son of the murdered man. He did not speak, but was covered with blood, and pointed to bis father who lay in bed with bis 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 have 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 utensils.” An inquest was opened on Monday before Deputy Coroner Brooks, when formal evidence of identification was given, and the enquiry was adjourned. The deceased clergyman was about 57 years of age, and a Congregationalist minister, residing at 119 Stepney Green, London. Both he and his son are said to have been members of the Blue Ribbon Army, and deceased always wore the badge in bis button hole. The object of their visit, to Matlock was for the benefit 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 blowaad been dealt whilst the father was asleep. The son afterwards attempted his own life by cutting his throat with a penknife. Great excitement was caused in the neighborhood by the tragic affair. An adjourned inquiry as to the death of the Eev. Julius Benn, of 119 Stepney Green, London, was held on Tuesday morning, before Deputy-Coroner Brooks, at Matlock Bridge. Medical evidence went to show that after repeated blows with a blunt instrument, several stabs had been inflicted under the right ear with a pocket knife. 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 substance of the evidence called, in addition to the statement of the landlord of the house where the tragedy occured. Before the jury retired, John Win. Benn, eldest son of the deceased, made a statment to the effect that the prisoner was out merely for the benefit of his health on a probationary term from Bethnal Green Lunatic Aslyum. Mr Benn urged that this statement might induce a rider to be added to the verdict, but the coroner ruled that this would be out of order. The jury shortly afterwards brought in a verdict of Wilful Murder.