The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-07-23 00:00:00

THE LYE.

THE LATE CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER AT CLENT.—
At the Worcester Assizes (Crown Court), on Tuesday
last, before Mr. Justice Mellor, John Pearson, aged Pi,
tailor, was indicted for the manslaughter of John Bret•
tell, at Clent, on the 19th April. A full report of this
case appeared in our columns at the time. Mr. Jell pro- '
secuteil, and Mr. Godson defended. The deceased Beet.
tell and a girl named Jane Gordon were returning from
Clent Hills on the evening in question, when they wet
the prisoner. The two men began a•• chatting" conver-
sation about crows and sparrows, which seemed to annoy
the prisoner; whereupon he struck at deceased, bat
missed him, as he stooped down to avoid it. On his
rising up again prisoner struck him a blow in the neck
which felled him to the ground. Deceased died in a
quarter of an hour afterwards. Brettell had not offered
to strike the prisoner. A post woolens examioation was
made by Mr. Hobbs. He found a swelling in the neck,
and a slight effusion of blood under the skin. He attri-
buted the cause of death to extravasation of blood upon
the surface of the brain to the amount of about six
ounces, caused as if by a blow. When charged, prisoner
expressed regret, but said he did not intend to do it.
The defence was that deceased had used offensive re•
marks to prisoner, and insulted him. Mr. Godson called
witnesses to speak to prisoner's good character. He was
found guilty, and sentenced to two years' hard labour.

ROWLEY REGIS.
THE LATE Britot,tair.—At the Stafford Assizes, on
Thursday last, before Mr. Baron Pigott, James Powell
CRADLEY HEATH. ph, miner, was indicted with having, on tie 9th July
last, broken into the house of Mr. David Bennet, am!
ACCIDENTALLY POIRONING.—An enquiry was held on stolen a quantity of wearing apparel. Mr. Underhill
Friday evening, the 15th instant, at the Heath Tavern, appeared for the prosecution, the prisoner being made-
touching the death of a boy named William South. fended. A full report of this case appeared in our last
From the evidence adduced it appears that on the Thurs- issue. On the night of the burglary prosecutor went to
day previous the boy complained of having a sore mouth. bed, leaving all safe. Dazing the night his sons were
The servant intending to give him a little magnesia, awakened by a noise, and on looking out it the window
reached out unknowingly a packet containing areeme• and the prisoner was seen with a quantity of clothing. lie
marked poison. Of this he partook, and she also drank was pursued and found at a tavern, where also were
some. Soon after it was discovered that a fearful blum parish-constable and two officers of the county police
der had been made, and medical aid was called. The force. He was there given into custody, when he made
poor fellow however died in a few hours; but the servant a violent resistance. Found guilty, and sentenced to 15
11sa recovered from the elects of her poisonous dose. months' imprisonment.
The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally poisoned.- •
ANNUAL TI:11,--On Monday the teachers and friends
of the lieddal Hill Sunday Schools paid a visit to Enville
Gardens. After fully exploring the gardens they re-
turned home, highly pleased with their day's excursion.