Liverpool Journal, Feb 24th 1877
HORRIBLE DISCOVERY AT TUEBROOK
Sentence on Mrs KIRKBRIDE
The spring assizes of the County of Westmoreland were opened on Wednesday at Appleby, before Baron HUDDLESTON.
In addressing the Grand Jury, his Lordship, on referring to the case of the murder and concealment of the bodies of the 6 infant children at Tuebrook, Penrith and elsewhere, observed that there had been a secret disposition of the bodies of the children, with intent to conceal the births, and there can be no doubt that there are some circumstances in the case, which would strike those who were entrusted with the administration of justice, as sufficient to warrant a more serious charge than that on which the prisoner was indicted. If she had imputed criminality to any other person, he need scarcely say that a statement from such a source should not be to readily accepted.
It was then arranged the case should be heard before Mr Justice MANISTY, who had not arrived from Carlisle until the next day.
The Grand Jury found a true bill in the case.
In the afternoon Elizabeth KIRKBRIDE was placed at the bar. The accounts, three in number, having been read to her by the Clerk of Arraigns, the prisoner pleaded guilty to each.
At the Appleby Assizes on Thursday, Mrs KIRKBRIDE, who pleaded guilty on Wednesday, was brought up for sentence before Mr Justice MANISTY.
His Lordship addressed the prisoner in severe terms, saying she had pleaded guilty to the three indictments, knowing there was not a shadow of doubt as to the course with which she had pursued, and he feared she knew a great deal more.
Her conduct was almost incredible, the most inhuman that any human being could be guilty of. Both Baron HUDDLESTON and himself had serious doubts whether she ought not to have been tried for murder. It was a case in which he must pass a more than ordinary sentence. The extreme punishment for one of concealment was 2yrs hard labour, but he would sentence her to 9mths hard labour for each indictment to which she had pleaded guilty, aggregated punishment being 2yrs 3mths hard labour.
The prisoner, who manifested no emotion, was then removed.
Copyright 2002 / To date