The history of the London Burkers ; containing a faithful and authentic account of the horrid acts of the noted Resurrectionists, Bishop, Williams, May, etc., etc., and their trial and condemnation at the Old Bailey for the wilful murder of Carlo Ferrari, with the criminals' confessions after trial. Including also the life, character, and behaviour of the atrocious Eliza Ross. The murderer of Mrs. Walsh, etc., etc.

Date:: 1832

Credit: The history of the London Burkers ; containing a faithful and authentic account of the horrid acts of the noted Resurrectionists, Bishop, Williams, May, etc., etc., and their trial and condemnation at the Old Bailey for the wilful murder of Carlo Ferrari, with the criminals' confessions after trial. Including also the life, character, and behaviour of the atrocious Eliza Ross. The murderer of Mrs. Walsh, etc., etc. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Witness.—I know it was May, for I knew him before. There was another man in company at the time, but I cannot say it was one of the other pri- soners. Mr. Minshull.—Did they tell you where you were to go from Bethnal-green ? Witness.—No ; they did not tell me where I was to go. I declined to go with them. Dr. Robinson.—What was your reason for de- clining the job ? Witness.—My horses had not finished their corn, and I had not taken my tea. Besides, I had another reason—I knew what May was, and that was prin- cipally the cause of my declining to go with him. Margaret King, who had on a former examina- tion stated, that she saw an Italian boy standing close to Bishop’s house, on Thursday the 3d instant, was again called forward, and her evidence having been read over, Mr. Minshull asked her if she recollected how the boy was dressed, whom she had seen on the day in question ? She replied, that she recollected no part of his dress, except that he wore a dark blue coat or jacket. [Another female witness on the trial swore that it was a dark green.—Ed.] The boy’s dress appeared to be shabby, such as other boys wore who went about the streets. Witness did not remember whether the boy had a cap or a hat on. Mr. Minshull then addressed the prisoners, saying, he had told them before, and now repeated, that they might, if they thought fit, put what ques- tions they pleased to the several witnesses who appeared against them. May said he was aware of that. The prisoners then declined to put any questions to Mrs. King. John King, son of the last witness, stated, that

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