The Express.
London, England, 1862-07-29 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

HONE ClRCUlT.—MAnieroxs, JULY 28.
CROWN Stos—(Belan Yr. Baron Bramwell)
THE ROTTION-RALL MURDER.

The public will remember that a barbarous murder was
committed on the night of the 22nd of January last at
Roydoc.hall, the residence of Major Cook, one of his
keepers, named James Gray, having been deliberately shot
dead by one of a gang of poachers, eight or nine in number,
and two prisoners, named Alfred Burr Luck, and Stephen
Evers geld, stand committed to take their trial for the murder
at the present &Bailee.
It appears that although it was known at the time that
there wme at least seven or eight, if not more persons
concerned in the outrage, the whole of them contrived
to keep out of the way, but in consequence of information
that was received on Sunday evening by Superintendent
Hulse, a very active and useful officer belonging to the Kent
constabulary stationed at Dialling, about six miles from
Boydon.ball, be started at a late hour, accompanied by
some of his constables, for the purpose of apprehending seve-
ral men, who there seems to be very little doubt were part
of the gang of poachers by whom the murder we/committed,
and all of whom have the character of being notorious
poschere. After one of the prisoners, who goes by the name
of "Happy Jack," bad been secured, the officer told him
that the charge be had to make against him was that of
being concerned in the Roydon-ball affair. The reply be
made was that he was not surprised at it, and he expected
that the police would have been after him before. He then
voluntarily made a statement to the effect that the gang of
poachers consisted of Mae persons, but that they were not
all provided with guns. He said that after they had been in
the wood some time they were met by the keeper Gray, who
was shot, and seven or eight other men, and a scuffle imme-
diately took place, and he saw him shot and fall to the
ground. He then gave further information upon the subject
of the murder, but declared that Everafield, one of the men
now under charge, was not with the party. The other pri-
sm:era who had been taken were confronted with this man,
end he repeated the statement he had previously made, in
their presence, and it appean that several of them admitted
they were there but denied that either had fired the gun.
In consequence of this important discovery it was ex-
pected that the trial of the two prisoners, who are in
custody, would not take plum at the peanut anises, and
that one, if not more, of the prisoners who have since been
apprehended will be admitted as witasems for the crown.
In the course of the day Mr. F. Knoell, who was in-
structed to conduct the prosecution, made an application to
the court to postpone the trial of the two prisoners now
under charge in the gaol to the next amine; and he did so
• an affidavit which embodied the above feels. Ha
also applied that the recognizences of all the witnesess
might be enlarged, and that no bill should be preferred be-
fore the grand jury at the puniest mixes, as he said that the
literate of justice were much more likely to be mrried
out by all the parties being tried together, when the whole
of the facto would be laid before the jury. The learned
counsel added that from certain fresh facts that had come
to the knowledge of the prosecution he should not object to
one of the prisoners (Evenfield) being admitted to bad.
Mr. Itibton and Mr. Frame* who were instructed to de-
fend the prisoners, opposed the applimtion, and said the,
were most anxious to take their trhiL They added that it
would 1w a great injustice to the primer= to keep them
fur several mouths with such a serious charge banging over
them

Baron Bramwell said he fully felt the force of the aro-
meet used by the learned counsel, and he should be niast
unwilling tudetain the prisoners in custody if such a novae
could be taken without detriment tothe interests of justice.
He would, however, consult Mr. Baron Martin upon the
subject.
His lordship accordingly left the court for that purpose.
and upon his reline he said that his learned brother was of
opinion that, under the circumstances, be had no alteror
tire but to grant the application that had been Bawds by
Mr. Russell, and postpone the trial of the two prisomen
who were already committed. He added that if the mama
for the prosecution, from his knowledge of the facts, ow-
seated to Brasfield being admitted to bail, the court
would not object to sanction the proceeding, althoogb,un-
doubtedly, in cases of murder, bail was very rarely taken.

WESTERN CIRCUIT.—Exarza, JULY 28.

Hie lordship, Mr. Justice Heating, opened the commis.
sloe on Saturday afternoon. This morning haring charged
the 'mad jury for the eity, be ordered lbws to lied • bill
in the only city OW for trial, which wan • charge against
Thomas Newman, who bad been a clerk in the Baster Post-
°Moe for nearly twenty years, for having on the 11th March
stolen • letter amitaiumg two ball-sovereigns, the property
of the Postmaster. General. The jiffy having found a true
bill the prisoner was placed on his trial
. Sir Ficideeisk Made sad Mr. M. T. Ode, appeared for
the prosecution, and Mr. Bete and Mr. Carter for the pri-
soner. . .

The jury immediately found the prisoner Guilty, but re-

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