The Express.
London, England, 1851-03-13 00:00:00


Charks Drawn was indicted un the charge of having
aided and assisted in the manslaughter of James William
Brown, at Long Eaton, on the 24th of June lust.
Mr. Adams having opened the ease,
The Judge said that, as it appeared on a former trial,
there was a great aggravation on the part of the
principal at the tight in question, in consequence of
which he only received the sentence of one month's
prisoament without hard labour, while Briddon and
Peet, two of the seconds, were acquitted, it was now
subject fur euusideratiou whether the case against this
prisoner, who was another of the seconds, should be pro-
meted with ? Supposing a caw were made out, and the
lury convieteel the
.prisoner, he should only pass a very
ight sentence. N1 ere there such eircum.tauteS against
the prisoner as to make him a felon fur hiss fur the sake sal
a fortnight's imprisonment ?
Mr. Adams said he would, upon his own responsibility,
accede to the suggestion, and utter no evidence.
The learned Judge having directed the jury to acquit the
prisoner on the charge, said he should be extremely sorry
if either the prisoner or any other person supposed for a
moment that he thought lightly of the cruue of man-
slaughter, committed under such circumstances. lie held
it as a very serious offence, but at the same time all cases
were to be considered upon their own merits, and he bad
a sort of warrant here, team what occurred at the former
trial, when they might take it for granted there was a full
investigation, that nothing was then discovered even on
the part of the principal, to induce the judge to
pass a severe sentence. In these tights it was cer-
tainly the law, and everybody should understand it,
that he who took any part whatever in it, was
as much guilty as if he struck the fatal blow ; the
reason of which was partly because the law desired to pre-
vent such things from occurring at all. It was, however,
quite consistent with that consideration, that when such
an event did occur, there must be some persons there to
prevent anything unfair from taking place, and to render
assistance it necessary—as he supposed such was the part
the prisoners Briddon and Peet took in this matter. Ile
hoped, however, that the prisoner would take warning, as
he had been dealt with mercifully now, so that if ever' he
attended or took part in any similar occurrence for the
future, be would do whatever he could to discourage the
practice. If, after what had passed, he was found offending
again in the same manner, these proceedings would be re-
membered against him, and he might expect to receive a
severe punishment. He trusted, also, that the prisoner
would always feel deep regret fur having in any way eolith-
, hated in taking away the life of a fellow creature under cir-
cumstances so painful, and at a time when he mint have
been so unprepared for the great change.
The prisoner was accordingly discharged.
AMMAR AND RIGBY/AY ROBBERY.
Edward Cockapw, aged 17, was indicted (or having, on I,
the 28th of January, assaulted Sarah Osborn, and stolen
from her person the sum of de., her property.
On the day in question a considerable crowd had ga-
thered at the bottom of Peck-lane through which the pro-
secutriz was endeavouring to push her way. While doing
this, she felt some one press her side, and onlooking round,
saw the prisoner with his hand close against her procket.
She also discover d that another youth had his hand inside
her pocket. She stooped down and bit the hand through
her dress, and screamed out. The prisoner then grasped
her throat, and continued holding it for some moments so
tightly that she was nearly suffocated. The prisoner then
ran ashy towards Hounds' Gate, and the prosecutrix lost
sight of him for a short time. Ile was, however, seen by
others, and apprehended on the charge of being concerned