FRATRICIDE IN MELBOURNE.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 830, 27 June 1871, Page 3

FRATRICIDE IN MELBOURNE.

An inquest was held at the Melbourne Hospital, on the body of Charles Myles, who died there from injuries inflicted by» his brother, Thomas Myles, about 1 o'clock on the morning of Saturday week. Ifc appeared from the evidence adduced that Charles and Thomas Myles, two young men from 24 to 26 years of age, following the occupation of carters, resided -with their widowed mother and a brother between 10 and 11 years of age, named Henry Myles, in a house off a right of way in Little Lonsdalestreet. There seemed to have been some family disputes about a little property left by the father, and the deceased had been in the habit of coming home drunk, and had in that state turned his brother out of bed into the streets. Early last Saturday morning Charles returned home in a state of intoxication, and finding Thomas in bed ordered him out. This led to angry words, and Thomas knocked down Charles with his fists. While Charles lay motionless on the ground his enraged brother took a hammer and inflicted two heavy blows on the back of his head, which caused extensive fractures, and the injured man died five days afterwards without having once recovered consciousness. The younger brother, Henry Myles, an intelligent boy, who gave his evidence very reluctantly, stated that Thomas struck the deceased with the hammer in spite of his having begged of him not to kill him. Some evidence was also given to show that Thomas had an interest in the death of his brother, and that once when drunk he had openly threatened to do for him. Thomas Myles was present at the inquiry in custody. He cross-examined the witnesses very intelligently, and at times seemed to feel his position a good deal. At the conclusion of the evidence he made a statement, in which he admitted all the acts of violence alleged against him except the use of the hammer, and on coming to that portion of the narrative he stopped short and began to cry. The jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder " against the prisoner.