O. Pemberton
Mr. Oliver Pemberton, examined by Mr. Serjeant Shee—I am Lecturer in Anatomy at Queen’s College, Birmingham, and surgeon to the General Hospital at Birmingham. I was present at the examination of the body of the late Mr. Cook after it had been exhumed in January or February. I observed the condition of the spinal cord. In my judgment it was not in a condition to enable one to state with confidence in what state it had been immediately after death. The upper part, where the brain had been separated, was green in colour from the effects of decomposition. The remaining portion, though fairly preserved for a body buried two months, was so soft as not to enable me to form any opinion as to its state immediately after death.
Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—I did not see the body till the day after the bony canal had been opened, which, to a certain extent, would expose the interior substance of the cord to the atmosphere. So far as I recollect, it was still covered with a very hard, dense membrane. Mr. Bolton, the professor at Queen’s College, was also present on Palmer’s behalf.
Mr. Serjeant Shee—My lord, this closes the medical testimony.
H. Matthews
Henry Matthews, examined by Mr. Grove—I am an inspector of police at Euston Station. I was there on 19th November last. The two o’clock afternoon train is the last that stops at Rugeley. The express for Stafford leaves at five, and is due at Stafford at 8.42. On 19th November it arrived at 8.45. From Stafford to Rugeley it is nineteen miles by railway. I do not know how far by road. After the two o’clock train to Rugeley, the quickest way to get there is by the five o’clock to Stafford, and then by road.
Joseph Foster
Joseph Foster, examined by Mr. Gray—I have known the late John Parsons Cook for many years, and, from what I saw of him, he was of weak health and constitution. I have been with him when he has had a bilious attack and sick headache.
Cross-examined by Mr. James—He hunted regularly about three days a week. He was a member of the Welford Cricket Club, but I have not seen him playing for three or four years.
George Myatt