The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-03-09 00:00:00

Legal.

WESTERN CIRCUIT.
WINCHESTER, TOESD tt, biAtica 2.

This circuit commenced yesterday, when the commis-
sion for holding the assizes in the county of Hants was
opened by Mr. Justice Crowder and Mr. Justice Willes
in this city, in the afternoon. Their Lordships then at-
tended divine service in the Cathedral.
. . .

This morning the business commenNd, Mr. Justice
Willes presiding in the Crown Court, and Mr. Justice
Crowder sitting in Nisi Price. There are only 5 com-
mon jury cases in the cause list, but there are 70 prison-
ers in the calendar, and when it is considered that 40
prisoners were tried at the winter circuit, and that 50
prisoners were tried at the quarter sessions since that
time, it is matter for most serious consideration. The
following is a summary of the offences with which the
prisoners stand charged :—Murder, 1; manslaughter,
2, rape, 1; bigamy, 1; burglary, 5 • sheep and cattle
stealing, 4; housebreaking, 4' stealing from the person,
3; arson, 3; embezzlement, 4; cutting and wounding,
4; concealment of birth, 1; assaults on policemen, 3;
poaching armed, 3; false pretences, 1; receiving, 1;
various felonies, 21.
Nun PRI U S COURT.—(Before Mr. Justice CROWDER and a
Common Jury.)

AYLWARD V. GAHAN AND ANOTHER.

Mr. Phinn and Mr. Karslake were courted for the
plaintiff, and Mr. Slade for the defendants.
This was an action of trover, to recover the value of
a horse. The plaintiff was a farmer at Soberton ; the
defendants resided at liambledon. The question arose
out of an alleged sale of the horse by the plaintiff to the
defendants for £25.

The most contradictory evidence wee given.
The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff for £25.

WEDNESDAY.
CROWN COURT.--(Before Mr. Justice WILLES.)
. .

Samuel Goddard was indicted for the manslaughter of
John Rumney, at Yateley, and Joseph Goddard and
John Gearing were indicted for having aided and
abetted Samuel Goddard.
Mr. H. T. Cole was oonnsel for the prosecution, and
Mr. W. M. Cooke appeared for the prisoners.
The three prisoners were young labourers, and on the
20th of February they and the deceased were drinking
at a publichouse. They were very good friends. Joseph
Goddard, who was no relation to Samuel Goddard, WAS
courting Rumney's sister, who, it would seem, had the
nickname of the "Black Heifer." About 10 o'clock
they were all joking together, when Samuel asked
Joseph how the black heifer was. This seems to have
roused the ire of Joseph, who asked Ritinney whether
he meant to stand that. Romney then challenged
Samuel to fight, but Samuel refused. Joseph, however,
insisted that he should fight, and pulled him off his
seat. The men then went out of doors and stripped to
fight. Joseph seconded Rumney, and Gearing did the same
office for Samuel. They fought four rounds, and Rum-
ney had time best of it. Samuel then asked for his
clothes, which were given to him, and he appeared to
be fumbling at his pocket. Romney came up and said
he would shake hands with him and be as good friends
as ever. Samuel said "I shan't shake hands with you,
and will never be friends with you again." Joseph said,
"Hit him again." They then had another round;
Samuel was knocked down, and Ruinney staggered
and fell down, apparently insensible. The lookers-on
went to him, and in a few minutes he complained of
his stomach. They undid his trouser, and found a
wound in the lower part of his stomach. The blood
was flowing. Rutnney said, "Oh ! my poor belly;
Samuel Gedflard stabbed main the last round, I shall
die." They fetched his father and mother. A surgeon
was sent for and examined Rumney. There was • stab
in the abdomen. He administered stimulants, but in •
few hours Rummy sank, and he died. Samuel was in
the habit of carrying • clasp-knife.
The learned Judge said that persons who were pre-
sent at a fight were not &memory to the offence of man-
slaughter caused by one of the oombatanta stabbing the
other. Joseph Goddard and Gearing were only parties
to a fight with fists.
Mr. Cooke then addressed the jury on behalf of the
prisoners. It was clear that Samuel Goddard had
been compelled to fight, hut there was no evidence to
show that Goddard had stabbed the demised. The
wound might have arisen in other ways.
Mr. Justice Willes summed up.
The jury returned • verdict of Guilty against Samuel
Goddard and acquitted the other prisoners.
The learned judge observed that it was a case which
bordered on murder. He WAS sorry to find that these
dastardly acts were so oommom. He must endeavour to
protect the public, and should therefore sentence the
prisoner to 10 years' penal servitude.