Hans Hansen

218

Dianne Jones on 11th January 2022

TRIAL: 22 March, 1856: At the Assizes at Bodmin, Cornwall, case #32 -- Hans Hansen -- was found guilty of murder and a sentence of death was recorded (England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892; England; Cornwall 1856). --0--

218

Dianne Jones on 11th January 2022

INQUEST: 17 March, 1856 -- From the 'Daily News', p.5: "MURDER ON MAKER HEIGHTS One of the most shocking murders that have occurred in the West of England for many years was perpetrated on Thursday night in a field adjoining the camp ground at the Maker Heights, about two miles from Devonport, on the Cornwall side of the Tamar. On Wednesday last, the 3rd Jager (rifle) Regiment of the British German Legion arrived here in the Alps and after staying a short time, a portion of the Regiment was ordered to Maker, to occupy the accommodation recently used by the South Devon Militia. Amongst the men so disposed were Chas. Jacobi and Hans Hansen. On Thursday these two men were drinking together in Millbrook, and on Friday morning it was discovered that Jacobi had been murdered. Jacobi is said to be a surgeon by profession and of very respectable connections, although serving as a private. They called at the house of a Mrs. Palmer, and bought two penny buns and some penny loaves of bread at about 8 o’clock and they were both the worse for liquor, but Hansen the more inebriated of the two. They were subsequently seen going towards the barracks, Hansen carrying a large stone under his arm. He did not, however arrive at the barracks until 12 o’clock when he was immediately placed under arrest for being out of quarters without leave after hours. On Friday morning on calling over the muster-roll, Jacobi was missing and shortly afterwards information was received at the barracks that the dead body of a soldier had been found by a man named Gregory, in a turnip field, near Maker Church, on the heights. A piquet was sent to the spot, and the body found was at once identified as that of Jacobi, although he had been brutally mutilated, especially about the head. There were three superficial wounds on the left side of the head by the ear, of the several lengths of 2 inches, 1 inch, and ½ inch. The scalp was separated from the skull about 2 inches, though the skull was not fractured externally. On the skull being opened some extravasated blood was bound on the brain, and on removing the brain it was found that the base of the skull had been fractured at that part of the temporal bones which contains the organs for hearing. About two or three yards from the place where the body was found a large stone was discovered bespattered with blood and to which some human hair was attached. The stone was about 16 lb in weight. On Hansen being arrested by Captain Ignace de Ziemicke, that officer observed some spots of blood on his jacket and on his attention being called to it, he started back, saying “I did not kill the man”, and afterwards said his nose had been bleeding and that some of the blood had gone about his clothes. The deceased had a short time previously received £40 from his friends but the only money found on his person was 3s. A coroner’s jury has returned a verdict of “Wilful Murder” against Hans Hansen. The prisoner will be committed to Bodmin gaol and tried at the Cornwall assizes which commence on Saturday next." (http://www.perthdps.com/convicts/w4571.htm) --00--