Lloyd's Weekly London Newspaper (20/Sep/1891) - The Huddersfield Murder
THE HUDDERSFIELD MURDER.
James Stockwell, 32, teamer, Linthwaite, Huddersfield, charged with the murder of Catherine Dennis, 15, servant at the Ivy hotel, Linthwaite, on Aug. 21, was removed early on Wednesday from Wakefield gaol to the County police station at Huddersfield, comparatively unobserved. An immense crowd assembled in front of the court, but few people were admitted to it. A rush was made for the gates, but the strong force of police present prevented the crowd carrying the position. About 11 o'clock Stockwell was brought before Mr. P. Greenwood and Mr. J. Crowther, and two other magistrates arrived afterwards.
Mr. A.H.J. Fletcher appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Treasury, and Mr. J. Lewis Sykes was for the prisoner.
Mr. Sykes said he had to apply for a further remand for a week, as, owing to only having received final instructions to appear for the prisoner on Friday evening last, he was unable to go on with the case at the present sitting.
Mr. Fletcher said he had no objection to the application.
Mr. Greenwood, the presiding magistrate, said it would have saved a great deal of public excitement if Mr. Sykes could have received his instructions earlier.
The prisoner was remanded for a week, and during the day he was re-taken to Wakefield.
Letters received from the prisoner's brother say he is satisfied James committed the sad act while in a state of insanity, as his subsequent conduct showed. His grandmother died in the asylum, his mother had been an inmate of one, and he has a sister at home insane. Without doubt James had an injury to his head some years age, and the doctor who attended him said that if the prisoner was in drink he would not be responsible for his actions.