The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1810-09-04 00:00:00

Sti MR)" SUMMER ASSIZES:

Ain Hargreaves. aganist whom a bill was found
for the minder of Mary Ann Evans, was found nut
This was one of those cases, the evidence
of which was liable to very opposite coastroictions.
The detail of the case was as follows :—The de-
ceased, a parish apprentice, was reported to have
died, in consequence of a fall, or otherwise inju-
tug herself, in fetching water from a well in a
field belonging to the Prisoner. A relation of the
deceased saw the body before it was interred, and
observed several scratches and bruises on the face.
—ln consequence of this being mentioned, and the
hurried manner and neglect in which the funeral
took place, without any inquiry or examination
of the body; suspicions were entertained of her
having been ill-used, which led to the event of the
body being taken up.—A Coroner's Inquest was
held, and evidence heard : and the verdict was
given of Manslaughter. la consequence, how-
ever, of the observation of the Judge, a bill was
found fur murder. The evidence of Smith stated,
that he saw the Prisoner at a distance, striking as
at a person on the ground.—Approac.leil nearer,
but two hedges were still beta eeso hien and the Poi-
soner—he got ou higher ground, and heard a
sound, es of blows, the wliel .•anon; from the scene.
—Poisoner crock in rather au erect posture, and
thinks she eeuld not reach the person on the ground
without having something is Ler h.,ud ; but could
not are that she hail inic thug. Ss* her then help
the deceased mid p 01,e,r pthth, or p rely carry
her along, as thisuAli s'ie acre sulky and olio Mate
e c imed rose cod fell several times. Mr. Cro-
tiler, and another surgeon, who exallitied the body
after being taken up, stated, that there Was a tu-
mour on the back of the head, that could only
have been occasioned by a severe blow, or a HI
from some height, or with extraordinary force—
opened the tumour, and dissected the skull. On
examining that part of the brain most susceptible
of injury, found a quantity of extravasated Ido d,
sufficieut to account for her death—could no.ly be
occasioned by a violent blow or falleo-;Opened the
body, which was in a sound state in every other
respect—several other bruises ou the heed and
face ; but of lees consequence—thiuks • tali, un-
less front oi great height, could ant have occasioned
the woutirl.—Acknowledged that the deceased had
an infirm knee, occasioned hy a gins-shot wound-a.
rendered her liable to fillExamtaed the ground
round the well—surouanued by awkward stones,
and rather • danzerous i,ls. eto fall. Several wit-
nesses stated the behaviour of the prisoner, who
gave it out that the deceased load tumbled over a
mug and hurt hitsell—that she had tillen in the
kitchen among some brilio 8, and scratched her face.
That on getting her house from the well, being
left a short time, she fell in the sink femme, and

wet her stay..wh.eh were *ern. and h.ul been

washed. A boy, whet was the only twrson who
could depose tc tie fact of the deceased being
beaten, was since dead. The evidenre, therefore,
consisted only of the a'.ove obscure and scattered
circumstances. His Lordship, in soma-slog up, re.
marked upon the defect in the evolve er, which
left the prideipsl circumstances attending the- ca-c,
in impenetrable obscurity. Sever ! rt lytetabir wit-
aPs•es. he said. had deposed to th • good cherac.er
of the Prisoner, as a huintne woe. en, and a gent
and quiet neighbour. The circants•antes against
her were of a nature to be eonstrued either onto
violence, or an endeavour to assist the deceased in
getting her home, and recalling her from the stupor
occasioned by her fall. Her burial, he said, was
. .

certainly hurried over without proper notice nr in-
quiry, which was auspicious ; and this wrs strongly
corroborated by the ease altogether; but still It
was only a doubtful and presumptive construction.
It must rest in their minds. whether it was a case

that would warrant a verdict againt the Prisoner or
not.—After a few mint s' consultation, • verdict
was returned of—Mt Guilty.
The Court, which was crowded, appeared mach
satislied with the derision.

BODMIN ASSIZES —(Cmcladal