The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-07-04 00:00:00

h't

The gtri Retecca Legg wag brought up at the
Borough Poliaroourt, to-day (Monday), oath. charge
of the wilful murder of her child, and Mary Ann
Arnett was also charged with being an aoceseory._ .

_
On the Bench were the Mayor (A. Emmen, Esq.),
Alderman Cured, Alderman Gregory, Aldermen
Davis, Dr. Aldridge, F. Lock, Req., J. Tudor, Req.
Mr. M. C. Weston appeared to proteente, and
Mr. R. N. Howard defended the young woman.
The Court was crowded.
The young prisoner still look' extremely ill, but
sopeared quite calm end eelf possessed. Mrs. Arnett
on the contrary wore an ai times look.
Mr. Weston, addressing the Bench, said in order to
enable them to follow him better in the examination,
be bad had a plan of the premise* prepared.
ASS Rawls, was the first witness. She said: I am the
wife of George itawlea living in Trinity-street. On
Monday, June 12b, I was assisting Mrs. Miles in her
washing. Behind the house is aorta wohhouise. Oa
the opposite side there is a back-door of Arnett's
hoses, and • window over the door. This was the
staircase window. Tbe yard is common for bath, there
being no division. At ten minutes to twelve I was in
the wash-house at my work, and Mrs. Mike was there
also, Mrs. Mlles celled my attention to something, and
I this heard the cries of • child. It was the cry of a
new-born babe. The cry was week at first, but
gradually grew louder. and lasted for three or four
minutes. There was no one else about the place then,
but Mr,. Miles and myerll. Mrs. Harding afterwards
came and also heard the child cry. The staircase
window was open at the time. We all went into hire.
Mlles' hones together, and ten minutes or a quarter el
an hour afterwards we (she and hire. Mind again
went into the wash.hoose. Shortly afterwards we
beard the sound of scrubbing upstairs In Arnett's house.
The scrubbing was going on at one o'clock, when
I went home to dinner. Ltter Ic the day between
three and four I saw Mr.. Arnett in the yard ,
neer. t e back door. Mrs. Arnett asked Mrs. hiilee if
she had some hot water t 3 give her byeend.bye.
Mrs. Miles said "Then Becky's job is loon over!"
Mrs. Arnett said "What do you maser Mrs.
Miles replied "Why, the baby." Mn. Arnett said
eon no baby, nor heard no baby, nor heard no
cries, and have had no baby here." Mrs. Miles then
said 'Well, we all three beard the baby cry." Mrs.
Arnett said " Do you believe what the people say
about bre r Mrs. Miles replied "Well ma'am, your
eyes haven't been shut to what state she wee In" I
have known Rebecca Legg since she lose been in the
boar ever oboe Arndt Ins been there, some 12 or 14
month• I have frequently seen her during that time,
and have noticed her condition ; it was apparent.
Croseexamined by Mr. Howard: The only windows
In Arnett's house looking into the yard were the one
upstairs, and Arnett's wash-house. The wash-house
window was not open. The upstairs window was open
when I went to dinner, but when I came hack it was
ant. The water Mrs. Miles promised Mrs. Arnett,
the was to have when we bad finished washing. We
generally Sobbed about eve or six o'clock. On wash-
ing days Mrs. Arnett WS/ accustomed t have some of
the hot water.
Mr. Symonds (to Mr. Howard) : Do you appear for
both 1
Mr. Howard: I was engaged for the girl Legg, but
lilt becomes • joint offence I shall defend both.
Mr. Symonds : It is a joint offence so fez as Ode—
on is the principal and the other an accessory.
Mr. Howard: Then I Mead both et) far as that
gore. I am watching Mrs. Arnett's interests.
Mr. Albert Chapman architect and surveyor was
then called, and gave evidencs as to the correctness
of the plan. The distance from the corner of Miles'
weeb-house to Anted's back door is 91t 31n. The snit-
s:lee I. Immediately over the door.
George Mlles said: I em • printer, residing in the
teem In conseqoariee of • communication made to
me by my wife I went in company with Charles
Harding to see Mr. Arnett. I saw him in the back
kitchen or wash-babe. We stood at the door of the
wash-bode Whilst in cnversetion with him Mrs.
Arnettaame out. Arnett and his wife said something
to each other which I did not bear. 1 hiked Mrs.
Arnett if the had had a child born in the house that
gap. SU odd " A child no; we have had no child
IMPrik." She repotted words to the same effect. She
added—" You can come into the house sad look foe
yourself if you like." I old " No, Mrs. Arnett, I
west ormolu, but will you allow the girl's mother to
see her it I fetch her?" She replied " Certainly." I
theta west alld fetched the girl's mother.
In reply to Ø.r. Howard: Mrs. Anted had not the
alighted obleotioll 44 the girl's mother coming to see
bee
P.S. Mitchell said on Midday, 12th June lad, he
Wt to Arnett's house in lionpspy with Mr. Day and
P.C. Dunn. Ile saw Mr. and M. 4.rnett in the front
nom. Mr. Day said he was run Lbs girl upstairs
had been walked, and added "as you seed jut now
you would like the matter cleared up, I hare ed in
eeg_if
t Mitchell with tee." Whams interpold i.nd
said his fird duty would be to try and find the child.
Mr. Arnett said "You are inhume to much the
empboarde lie anywhere here." Witness &Mai if there
had been anyone in the house, and Mn. Arnett said
"There bee been no one in the house to-day dowel
SWUM MA I have not left the house daring the day
mere than three sisiontos, when she went to fetch some
• p foes, husband's dinner." Witness asked if it
was possible for anyone to cease downstairs., go into
.the .gordea, and go bank ',gain during her airmen
She eaki "No, I think the is too wear." Kr. Day
Ask! "From what—from lom of blood!" and the