The Sun.
London, England, 1830-12-25 00:00:00

HOME CIRCUIT-LEWES, DEC. 21.

Harry Winter, 69, Captain and part owner of a
coasting vessel, was capitally indicted for the wilful
murder of his wife, at Newhaven. This case has
excited the most extraordinary interest, not only
from the length of time which the parties bad been
married, which was upwards of thirty years, but
from the diabolical and revolting barbarity with
which the murder was perpetrated. It is utterly
impossible to conceive that any thing but the
frenzy of a demon, could have suggested the various
brutal and disgusting modes in which he mangled
the body of his unfortunate wife. Up to the mo-
ment at which this dreadful event occurred they had
lived in comparative harmony, and had shared to-
gether the hardships and visissitudee of a seafaring
life. They lied been three times wrecked together,
and their numerous acquaintance acknowledged the
affection he bore her, which was, in fact, evinced
by the put chases which he made for her at Lewes
only a few hours before he committed the murder.
But unhappily both of theta latterly became greatly
addicted to drink, and all their differences originated
in the frequent intoxication of the wife.
At nine o'clock the Judge having come into
Court, the prisoner was placed at the her. He ap-
peared about 60 yeses of age, and had a most re-
pulsive aspect.
Mr. LONG addressed the Jury for the prosecu-
tion, and called the following witnesses:—
Mrs. Goodright lived at Newhaven, next door to
the prisoner. Remembered the night of the Bth
October. There were four rooms in the prisoner's
house, all on the same floor. There were five steps
leering up to the door of the house. Two car-
riages might pass betwixt the river and the prisoner's
house. Witness was in bed at ten o'clock, and
beard an unusual noise. Shortly afterwards heard the
cries of Mrs. Winter. Witness opened the window
and distinctly heard the deceased groaning, anti
shortly afterwards heard a lumping noise as of a
body repeatedly dashed on the floor. Witness heard
Mrs, Winter Gay, " Oh, Winter!" and the pri-
soner, with an awful expression, asked why she
did not get up. The light in the prisoner's room
was put out, and witness again heard Mrs. Winter
groan out two or three times.
Martha Lower examined by Mr. WALLINGER—
Was the daughter of Sarah Lower. Passed the
door of Mr. Winter in consequence of what her
mother had said. Heard a moaning, " like a pig a
dy i ng."
William Ellis examined by Mr. Low Was a
bargeman, living at Lewes, On the night of the
Eith of October was coming from Newhaven to
Lewes in his barge, with William King, in another
barge, behind him. Passed near to the prisoner's
house about two o'clock. Before witness got to

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the bridge, forty yards. from the prisoner's house,
heard cries of " Murderb,,and a blow as if struck
on a sack. On going on further heard another
blow, and another cry of " Murder." Witness looked
towards the bunk of the river, and saw two persons
one.of them was kneeling or trying to get up. NiTituess
was then about 30 yards from them. It was a moonlight
night, and could distinguish lay the voices that one
was a male end the other a female. The man seemed
to have nothing but his shirt on, and the woman
appeared quite naked. 'Witness then saw the rnan
strike the woman on the left side of the head with
something he had in his hands. The weapon he
had WAS held in both hands. The blow wns so
violent that the woman fell instantly with her head
towards the man's feet. Heard the woman say
either " 0, forgive me this time ;" or, " Don't do
any more this time." The man answered, " You
—, this is the time," or word, similar. Heard
the female mention something about " a poker."—
Heard something thrown into the room of the house
which rattled tike metal. Saw the man throw it
out of his hand.

William King, a bargeman, was in company with
the last witness on the night in question. Saw a
woman seemingly lying on the road, about 20 feet
from the house. Heard tho cry of '• Murder" two
or three times. The female appeared to have only
a portion of her night-drass on.
Mis. Head examined by Mr. WALLINGER—
Went to the prisoner's house on the morning of the
9th of October. Mr. Winter was standing in the
bed-room smoking his pipe, and looking at the body
of his murdered wife. Witness said to the prisoner,
Captain Winter, what have you been doing? He
said, " I have got a dead wife." Witness said,
How could you do such a thing? Prisoner said,
"Oh you have not seen all yet; look over the
drawers, and there you will see her lie." He said
she was going to run away ; but he caught hold of
her heels and dragged her in, and her head went
thump against the steps. Prisoner said, " You may
do what you like," and walked out of the room.
Witness saw the dead body of Mrs. 'Winter lying
between the bed and the drawers on the floor, on
her back. There was only a small portion of her
chemise upon her. Her head was dreadfully beaten
about, and her ear was nearly cut off. The floor
was all covered with blood. The bed-clothes were
also very bloody. 'Witness looked under the bed,
and there was also much blood. In the front room
witness saw a poher, with blood upon it, lying near
the fire-place, and the handle of the shovel. The
pan part of the shovel was in the bed-room lying
near the head of the deceased.

John Poole spoke of the general good conduct of
the prisoner to the deceased.
William Ewen., uncle to the deceased, spoke of
the prisoner's uniform kindness.
A stumber of other witnesses also proved the
general good conduct of the prisoner to the de-
ceased, and also her propensity for drink.
The Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter.
The prisoner had evinced throughout the whole
trial great emotion, and on the announcement of the
verdict, his rugged features displayed the most li►ely
emotions of satisfaction.