Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
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158<br />
EUGENE ARAM.<br />
sharply, which had the effect of causinghim to inculpate<br />
himself and Aram, and in accordance with the usage of<br />
the criminal courts, he was permitted to turn " Queen's<br />
evidence."<br />
Inhis evidencehe gave a full description of the murder<br />
of Clarke by Eugene Aram. He stated that on the day<br />
of the foul deed they had all three passed frequently to<br />
and fro between their respective residences for the disposal<br />
of the goods they had obtained, when Aram<br />
proposed to the other two that they should walkinto the<br />
country. They left the town for the fields near St.<br />
Robert's Cave. When they had arrived there Clarke and<br />
Aram proceeded over the hedge towards the cave, when<br />
Houseman " saw Aram strike Clarke several times over<br />
the breast and head, and saw him fall as if he weredead,<br />
upon which he came away and left them." He added<br />
subsequentlythat the body was buried in the cave.<br />
Aram, on being found at Lynn, had deniedeverbeing<br />
at Knaresborough,as wellas all knowledge of the name<br />
of Daniel Clarke, buton being identifiedbyJohn Barker,<br />
a constable of Knaresborough,he was conveyed to York,<br />
and triedas stated. Upon the evidenceof Houseman at<br />
the trial beingconcluded, Aram put several questions to<br />
him which point out the acute mind of the man. For<br />
instance,he asked — Howcould Houseman sweartoseeing<br />
blows struck on a dark night in the middle of winter ?<br />
How far off was he when the actual deed took place ?<br />
How was it that Houseman was not with them, as they<br />
came out together, and their business concerned all<br />
equally? To these searching questions Houseman<br />
replied that, although it was night when the murder<br />
was perpetrated, the moon was out, though slightly<br />
hidden by clouds, so that he could see the movements<br />
of Eugene's hand, though not the weapon whichit held.<br />
That, so far as he remembered, he was about twelve<br />
yards away. That with regard to the third question,he<br />
besought the court to protect him, as, if he replied,his<br />
answer might incriminate himself. Also, he was not