Chapter Eight

• Author: Richard D. Schneider
• Pages: 71-79

 

Cae Egh

e Times –  January 

     . 

Yesterday an inquest was held at the Lion and Goat Tavern, Gros-

venor Street, before Mr. Gall, the coroner for Westminster, assisted by

Mr. Higgs, and a jury, to inquire into the cause of the death of the late

Mr. Edward Drummond.

 ’  is a process for inquiring into the cause of

death in unusual circumstances. From as early as the Middle Ages,

violent or suspicious deaths were investigated by a coroner who held a

hearing with a jury. e coroner had the ability to bind over witnesses

and suspects to appear in court and, in the case of homicide, detain sus-

pects in jail. Although the inquiry may precede a trial where the death

has also led to a criminal charge, it may occur after the trial. e jury

may conclude that the death was an accident or a homicide, but would

avoid attributing responsibility to a particular individual or addressing

the perpetrator’s state of mind. In addition to usurping the function of

the trial court, such a procedure would be highly prejudicial.

e tavern inquest room was crowded by persons anxious to wit-

ness the proceedings. e proceedings commenced at a few minutes

after four o’clock, the jury comprised of “Messrs. Stanley, Meagoe,

Tucker, Mills, Owen, Slack, Christmas, Strachan, Dawes, Evandar,

Bailey, Padgett, Davis, Turner, Dunn, Bywater, Cliord, Nobile, Low,

and Cooper.” Sworn in according to the usual form, they proceeded to

go to view the body, which lay at the residence of Mr. Drummond, at

No.  Grosvenor Street.