Mary Conolly

 

The deceased woman and Edwards were seen drinking together at the Somerset Arms, and they were afterwards seen walking together through Union-lane and on past Neville-court to Hatherleigh-road. At the junction of Hatherleigh-road and Brecon-road later on in the evening, Edward Wilkins, a guard on the London and North Western Railway, whilst walking home discovered the body of the poor woman Conolly lying on the roadway. Her throat was cut almost from ear to ear. In fact, the evidence of Dr. Steel showed that the wound extended through all the tissues, windpipe, gullet, and blood-vessels, almost to the spine. Wilkins, the guard, says he thought he saw deceased head move once after he came up to the body. There is some evidence to show that the attack took place in a small shed at the end of a garden close to Hatherleigh-road, and the fact that a number of plants in the garden were bespattered with blood tends to show that, after her throat had been hacked in such a terrible manner, she crawled away to the high road and there breathed her last.

          The police were communicated with, and the body was removed for medical examination by Dr. Steel. Great excitement was naturally aroused, and a hue and cry was raised to trace the murderer. He was not traced, however, and would in all probability have been enabled to elude the police altogether had it not been for what happened on the following Sunday morning - some 34 hours after the commission of the offence. Edwards then went to the police-station at Abergavenny and surrendered himself into the custody at Superintendent Freeman and Police-sergeant Capper saying he wanted to make a clean breast of the matter. He was locked up, and a few hours afterwards he said he wanted to make a statement. He was warned that if he did so it might be used in evidence against him, but he persisted in making a confession, which was taken down in writing and signed by the man, as follows:-

 

"I went with a girl on Friday night in Tudor-street about seven pm. She asked me to go with her. We called in a public-house on the bank in another street. I had a glass of beer there. She had some liquor, and I gave her a shilling there and she paid for the drink. We were in the bar with a small window. I gave her other money asides the shilling. She then asked me to go along with her, and she took me into some garden field. There were fences there. She laid down and I cut her throat there. I had no immoral intercourse with her. I knew her before two months ago, and then she took more than £2 from me. I left her on the ground. I came back to the same public house and had a glass of beer. I washed my hands in some water in a field. I kept the razor until yesterday, when I put it away. I am willing to show the place. I remained in the town until after eleven o'clock Friday night. I slept in some building on the road to the asylum. I threw the collar away by that river, and took it away yesterday. I had a paper parcel at the same public-house I called at with the girl, and collected it the same night when I had a glass of beer. I left about five o'clock.

          I think it is about six or seven years ago since Colonel Findall, commanding the Shropshire Regiment, was murdered in Birmingham by one of these loose girls. Since then my mind has always been against these girls. I was formally in the Shropshire Regiment. If I had a good chance I could have killed one before. I intended going to Newport and killing one or two there. I should have gone only I had no money. I served in the Egyptian campaign, and got invalided from there, and suffered from pains in my head before I committed the deed. I have a mother, Elizabeth Edward, in the Abergavenny Asylum. She has been there since I was a child. She has been in twice. She came from Knighton the first time and the second time from Whitton."

(Signed) Thos Edwards

 

In addition to the statement, prisoner told the police he could show them where he had placed his hat, tie and dickey, and also where he had put the razor. He took them up past the lunatic asylum to the Tredilion-road, and pointed out the place where he said he had put the hat and tie, but the police could not find the things, because on a previous day a woman had found them there in a parcel and had taken them home. Further on, however, Edwards pointed out the spot where he had placed the razor, and it was found in the bushes at that place.

          With the prisoner’s admission and the corroborating evidence obtained from witnesses who had seen him in company with Conolly, the case against Edwards was complete. He was committed for trial by the coroner and magistrate for wilful murder, and was arraigned on an indictment for the offence at the Monmouthshire Assizes before Mr Justice Day, on Thursday December 1st.

          To the indictment he pleaded not guilty, and preserved a calm and composed demeanour throughout the trial, which lasted about five hours. Mr. Ram and Mr. Rowlent appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Treasury, Mr Corner appeared for the defence.

          The facts of the case were practically admitted, and the only issue that the jury had to try was whether or not the prisoner at the time of the commission of the crime was insane - that is to say, whether from mental aberration arising from a diseased brain - he was unable to judge of the nature and quality of the thing he was doing, and to that issue the judge, jury, and counsel devoted a searching attention. It was admitted that Edwards's mother had been in Abergavenny Asylum for more than twenty years, that his grandfather (his mother's father) was a silly old man, that one of his mother's brothers had died an idiot at the age of 14, and that there had been some trouble with a sister also; also that Edwards himself had been invalided home from the Egyptian Campaign, out of the Shropshire Regiment, with enteric fever, and that he was usually a man of very reserved, silent, and almost sullen demeanour. But the judge pointed out during the trial that what the jury had to try was not what his family had suffered, but whether Edwards himself was insane when he committed the tragedy.

          Dr. Glendenning, medical superintendent of Abergavenny Asylum, visited the man in gaol on three occasions, November 11th, 17th and 26th, and had long conversations with him. His evidence was that the man was of sound mind. Dr. Boulton, the medical officer of the prison, agreed with Dr. Glendenning, but thought if he took drink such a condition of mind might have been produced in the man as that he could not distinguish the nature and quality of the acts. Lieutenant-colonel and Surgeon Nelson Edwards, who had charge of medical arrangements at Shrewsbury, the depot of the Shropshire Regiment, produced the prisoner’s medical sheet showing that he had been invalided home with enteric fever, but there was no mention of mental disease. A few witnesses were called for the defence to show the taint of insanity in the family.

          Prisoner's father, Richard Edwards, a labourer at Whitton, was amongst the witnesses for the defence, but he burst into tears as he entered the witness-box.

          The evidence having been concluded, Mr. Ram made a short reply on behalf of the Crown. He was unable to find evidence that the prisoner himself was insane, and there was the fact that he was sharp enough after the murder to change his hat, tie and dickey. The judge, in summing up, also put it strongly to the jury that there was no evidence of the prisoner’s insanity. It was not enough to say that if he took drink certain conditions would arise; but it was clearly established that drink was no cause for crime. What he asked the jury was, did the man take the razor out with him when he had left his bundle of clothes at the public-house? And, also, did he go with the girl for pay. Not for a gratification of lust, because he said nothing had taken place, and the medical examination of the girl corroborated the prisoner's statement.

 

Verdict and Judges summing up from the Western Mail - 2nd December 1892

 

VERDICT AND SENTENCE

 

The jury retired, and after an absence of ten minuets returned into court amidst deep silence, and found the prisoner "Guilty."

          The Clerk of the Court called upon prisoner to say what he bad to say, why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, and there being no answer the judge's clerk placed the black-cap upon his lordship's head.

          His Lordship said prisoner had been found guilty upon the clearest evidence of the crime of wilful murder. The plea had been made by himself, and set up as well by his counsel, that at the time he did the act he was of unsound mind, and, consequently, not legally responsible for his act. The evidence in support of the defence was utterly insufficient. No reasonable person could come to the conclusion on such evidence that when he took the life of that unhappy woman he was not thoroughly conscious that he was killing her, and that he was doing wrong in so killing her, He never upon such occasions made any observations upon the offence which had been committed, and he should be sorry to harry the prisoners feelings during the short tenure of life which the law allowed, but he begged him now, not as his judge, but ns his fellow, to take advantage of the time, short though it was, though abundantly sufficient, to prepare himself to meet with his God. The law in its mercy gave him the time which he (the prisoner) unhappily did not give to the poor creature who was his victim. She was cut off in the midst of her sins without an instant's preparation, but the prisoner would have abundant time to prepare himself for his great change, and he earnestly entreated prisoner to take advantage of his opportunity.

          Sentence of death was then passed in the usual way, his lordship bowing his head as be concluded with the words, "May the Lord have mercy upon your soul."

          Prisoner gave one sob and was removed below as soon as the sentence was passed.

　

Evening Express - 6th December 1892

THE ABERGAVENNY MURDER. Efforts for a Reprieve. Steps are being taken to obtain signatures to a petition to the Home Secretary requesting him to reprieve the man Edwards, who is lying under sentence of death in Usk Prison for the wilful murder of Mary Connolly at Abergavenny. The plea to be set forth is that the condemned man was insane at the time he committed the murder. Should the petition prove unsuccessful, Edwards will be executed on Monday, the 19th of December, or Tuesday, the 20th. At present the condemned man eats and sleeps well, and does not appear to fully realise his terrible position.

 

South Wales Daily News - 16th December 1892

ABERGAVENNY MURDER. DATE OF THE EXECUTION. The execution of Thomas Edwards, for the murder of Mary Connolly, an unfortunate, at Abergavenny, is definitely fixed for December 22nd. The prisoner, who has had no visitors, does not seem to quite realise his position, and keeps in fairly good spirits.

 

Evening Express - 21st December 1892

THE ABERGAVENNY MURDER. Respite Refused. The Home Secretary has refused to interfere with the sentence of death passed upon Thomas Edwards for the murder of Mary Conolly at Abergavenny. The High Sheriff of Monmouthshire has intimated that no representative of the press will be admitted to the execution.

 

Back to The Evening Express

 

EVE OF THE EXECUTION

 

The executioner Billington arrived in Usk on Wednesday by the 11.20 am train, having travelled by night from the scene of Tuesday's execution at Manchester. Nobody appeared to recognise the hangman, he being of ordinary physique and not carrying anything with the exception of a rug under his arm, the apparatus now being found by the prison authorities, and hence the disappearance of the ‘black bag.' Having entered the New Court Hotel for a short time, he walked around a portion of the town and then took up abode in the gaol. The condemned man was visited by his father and cousin on Friday last, and it was not until this interview that he appeared to realise his position. He bore up remarkably well, but ate very little.

 

Fairwell Interview

 

Edwards, a few days ago, had a parting interview with his father, who is a labourer at Whitton. The meeting, which was the only one the condemned man had had with any relatives since sentence was passed, was a most affecting one. The father, who is stated to be an ex-police officer, giving way to the greatest emotion.

 

Demeanour of the Convict

 

Since his sentence the prisoner had been very attentive to the chaplain's spiritual ministrations, and, so far as Mr. Jones's observation went and the prisoner's own confession led him to any, he believed that Edwards was resigned to his fate. The convict himself said that he believed God had pardoned his sins. On Sunday, at Divine Service in the prison chapel, the Rev, Mr Jones, in the course of his sermon, urged all his hearers to amend their lives and prepare for the eternity into which they would all sooner or later, have to enter. Edwards, at some of these references, fairly broke down and wept bitterly. At times he had, it is stated, been fairly buoyant in temperament, and took his exercise and food well, but at intervals he relapsed into the deepest despondency, and was given to soliloquies upon his crime and sigh, "Oh! Why did I do it? If I had been in the same mind as I am now I should never have done such a thing."

 

Arrival of Officials

 

The Rev. William Jones, Chaplain of the prison, entered the gaol between six and seven o'clock to administer the first spiritual consolation to the poor condemned victim. About half-past seven Dr Boulton, the prison surgeon, arrived, and five minutes later the Under Sheriff, Mr. W. Berry Walford, and Superintendent Freemen drove up from Abergavenny in a carriage and entered the prison, the superintendent being the officer who worked up the prosecution, in conjunction with Sergeant Capper, on behalf of the police. The morning was fine end clear.

 

Hoisting the Grim Signal

 

As the hour for the execution drew on, several groups of spectators assembled outside the main entrance to the prison. At a quarter to eight the prison bell began to sound the funeral toll for the passing soul whose ears were yet open to hear it ring. Exactly at eight o'clock, a warder mounted the wall over the main entrance and hoisted the black flag bearing the words 'Justice'. A section of the crowd heard the bolt drawn.

 

The Law Vindicated

 

The prison bell continued to toll for about five minutes after the black flag had been hoisted and then, when it ceased to ring, the crowd outside, which at no time had numbered more than about sixty to eighty people, dispersed. Shortly after at a quarter past eight the Chaplain, the Under Sheriff, and Superintendent Freeman left the prison. No reporters were admitted to witness the execution, and the High Sheriff, Major Curre, was not in attendance. The chief warder in charge of the gaol, Mr. Godfrey, in answer to an inquiry, intimated that the execution was carried out satisfactorily, and that the condemned man bore up with great fortitude. We learn that he passed a quiet night. Two warders remained with him as usual.

 

The Convict's Last Moments

 

Edwards was up very early, and was dressed awaiting the chaplain when the Rev. Mr. Jones, of Llonsoy, entered the cell shortly after half-past six. As had been custom all through the period of his incarceration, he was very attentive and quiet during the ministrations of the clergyman. He had attended service in the chapel every morning at half-past eight, and by his own desire the Holy Communion was administered to him about an hour before his execution. He was very firm in his faith that his sins had been forgiven, and was quite composed and strong physically. He took a light breakfast in his cell in the early morning and thanked the chaplain and the prison officials for their kindness and attention.