The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-19 00:00:00

MIDLAND CIRCUIT.

DERBY, JULY 17.
On Saturday evening, the Lord Chief Justice arrived at Derby,
at nine o'clock, and immediately opened the Commission.
On Sunday, both of their Lordships attended Divine Service, and
this morning proceeded to take the trials.
CRI3IINAL SIDE.
Illefore the Lord Chief BaRON.I
Junws Booth was capitally indicted fur having, on tne 3d of
April last, assaulted James Harrison, at Charlesworth, in thik
county, whh intent to do him grievous bodily harm. There was
also another count in the indictment, charging the prisoner with the
minor offence.
James Harrison, examined by Mr. CLARICE —1 am et present a
labouring man ; I remember the night of the 3d April last; I was
at the sign of the Grey Mare public-house, near Charlesworth, in
this county ; I was, during the evening, at a club of a benefit so-
ciety, and left it to go home about ten o'clock, but I cannot speak
with certainty as to the hour. When I ]eft the house, and had pro-
ceeded about 200 yards, I was attacked by the prisoner, James
Booth ; before that, 1 heard a great noise, as if there had been a
scuffle, and prisoner was asking for a light, saying he had lost
something, and that he could not leave the spot till he found it. He
then rushed at me with an open knife; he cried out, " How on,"
the meaning of which I don't know, and then said, " that's James
Harrison. and that's the man I want to be at." lie cut Inc in the
cheek and left hand, but I grasped him, and kept in custody until
I daivcrctl him to the constable, at the house of Mr. Bariett. 1

then went to the Doctor's to have the wounds dressed, and prisoner
was allowed to escape ; hut, trh obtainng a warrant, in a short
time after I had him apprehended. I knew Booth by his voice.
There were other persons with me.
Cross-examined by 'Mr. liar.Givir—The night was dark, very
dark. I coded on Booth by his name, after be struck me. lie
said I was afraid of those who had ill-used him, and I believe that
to be the rea-on why be attacked me. We hod had no previous
quarrel. Booth was on his road home, accompanied by his father
and his brother.
Robert Marston examined—l accompanied Harrison from the
public house. We met Booth and others; Booth was asking for
a light; a lantern was brought, but the light was soon put out;
I heard Booth's voice, and saw him Cut at Harrison there was
a great noise, but I heed Harrison say to Booth, " Do, lads,
spare my lift." Harrison Raid he had x tooth knock,:tl out, nod I
said, " Stick to him, and take him to a liltht. that we may be sure
or hint." 'When ire was at ilarrisov's •I cried out, " Maio, Boxer,
don't kill a holy." Boxer is a bye-name given to Booth.
In cross-examinatioo, nothing contradieloilt to the above was
elicited from this witness.

....
—1! igginb)tham, a companion or the prosecutor's, corro-
borated the last wituess, and swore positively that, without any
previous provocation, an far as he knew, Booth attacked llarrison
in the mantic!. described. _

.........
On cross-examination, he denied that any stones were thrown at
Booth or his friends, by himself or Harrison, or any other person
of their party. He did not hear Booth say he wantes: James Har-
rison; what he did hear him say was. " I want the man in the
white breeches." liarri,on wore a pair of white breeches on the
evening in question.
James Stafford, another of the associates of the prosecutor, de-
posed to the effect, ,hat Booth wantonly attacked Harrison ; that
no stones were thrown at him, either by the witness or any of his
party ; that Hariison was severely cut in the left cheek, and that
the piorning after the scuffle, lie went to the spot where it took
place, and there found a knits, now produced.
This witness, in cross-examination, denied that he saw any stone
thrown at Booth.
James Bradshaw was called to prove that, early in the evening of
this scuffle, he had exchanged knives with Booth. The knife now
produced is the knife lie had so exchanged.
Robert Thomley. surgeon, stated tha nature of the wounds.
The prosecutor bled profusely; but there was no danger to be ap-
prehended.
This was the case for the prosecution.
For the defence, Mr. BALGUY called four witnesses, viz.
Aston, Oarbill, and the father and brother of the pris.iner, who
severally swore that the poisoner was three times ►eaten, and
otherwise ill-used by the prosecutor and his party ; and that stones
or sods were thrown at thou, before the prisoner attacked liar •
rison.
Several witnesses gave the prisoner an excellent character, for
humanity and good temper.
The Loan CHIEF JUSTICE summed tip the evidence, and the
Jury returned a verdict of—Guiity.
CIVIL SIDE.
[Before the LORD CHIEF J rsTies.]
A VERMIN TRAP.

SIR ROGER ORESI.Y, HART. t•. THE REV. MR. cnr.r.rsrs.
This was an action of 'rover, brought by the present High
Sheriff for this county, against the defendant, a respectable clergy-
man, residing in his neighbourhood.
It appeared from the statement of Counsel, as %tell as from the
evidence, that no friendly feeling existed between the parties, in
consequence of some dispute about tithes.
The trap had been placed close to the boundary-line separating
the grounds of the plaintiff and the defendant, and the latter hav-
ing become possessed of it, refused to give it up, alleging, that it
lets placed there fur the purpose of caviling game, and not vermin,
And that, as such, information should have been laid before it Ma-
gistrate. The plaintiff persisted in demanding the trap, but the
Bev. defendant as stoutly refused to be entrapped, and would not
give it up. He laid an information on the subject before Sir Os-
wald :%loseley ; but the worthy Baronet refused taking the infortna-
don, as he considered the trap was set for an unlawful purpose.
The Louts Cut JuSTICE charged the Jury, that they must
find a verdict to the amount of two shillings (the sum laid In the
declaration), as the trap had been twice demanded from the defen-
d dant, and had also been set for lawful purposes.
Verdict for the plaintiff—Dantaees
George iirotron, now confined in this gaol, for numerous forge-
ries, is to be removed to-morrow to Maidstone, there to take his
trial. It would be unjust to say more, as the prisoner's fate should
be left to a Jury of his country. felony are disappointed here by his
removal.