The Sun.
London, England, 1839-06-20 00:00:00

CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY

OLD COURT.
Janics Perceval, a soldier, was indicted for violently as-
sauittng- John Selby Watson on the Queen's highway and
stealing his moneys, value 81.
Mr. BODKIN stated the case to the Jury, and described
it as one of the' most extraordinary nature, demanding the
greatest attention to its investigation.
John Selby Watson lived at Eltham in June, 1838; he
was going down Will Hall-lane on the 6th of that month,
at about half-past ten o'clock, when he passed a man
named Lepard. When he had proceeded about 200 yards
down the lane he met two soldiers; one of them wished
him geed night, and the other struck him a violent blow
on the head with some weapon, which stunned him.
When he recovered his senses he discovered that one of the
soldiers was rifling his pockets, and the other stuffed his
mouth with sand. They afterwards ran off towards Wool-
wich. Witness afterwards returned to Eltham, accom-
panied by Lepard. He was much hurt.
Henry Lepard was going from Woolwich, coming to
Eltham, on the evening of 6th June, 1838. He saw Mr.
Watson going up WilrHall-lane ; he met a man named
Norton; the lane was not straight. When he had pro.
ceeded up the lane some distance he found Mr. Watson,
Rho was very much hurt.
James Watt, high-constable of Woolwich, saw Nor-
ton the morning after the robbery. Be made a state-
ment, in consequence of vihich Perceval was taken
into cu,tody and examined before the Magistrates.
Pcrceval made a statement which was taken down in writ-
ing ; he called a man named Baker, who gave evidence in
his behalf.

The deposition of Baku- was here offered to be put in
and read.

Mr. DOANE objected to this course being pursued.
Mr. Baron GURNEY overruled the objection, of which he
ook a note.

The deposition of Baker was then read, which stated that
at half past nine on the night in queition Perceval and
himself went together co the Lower road to Greenwich,
and went into the Black Boy at Greenwich, where they
remained all night.

Mr. Watts recalled.—Was present at the last December
Sessions, when this Baker was convicted of the same
offence with which prisoner is charged.
Henry Norton.—ls a soldier in the Royal Marines.
Went to Elthamion the 6th of June ; came down Will Hall.
lane at about half past ten ; he was alone. Met Lepard in the
lane; met James Perceval and another soldier before he
met Lepard—they had on a regimental dress. Has shown
the constable where he met them ; they were going from
Woolwich. He spoke to Perceva and asked him where
he was going, he said to Foot's Cray; the other man did
not say anything. Had known Perceval some time. Did
not see Mr. Watson. Returned to the Barracks that night.
Was spoken to that night in Barracks about the robbery
and stated what he knew. Ile was taken into custody and
was afterwards taken before the Magistrates and examined
as a witness in the presence of Perceval. Was abroad on
duty in last December; returned about.a month ago.
George Chapman—ls Sergeant-Major of Marines.
Knows the prisoner. He was absent on leave on the night
of Jute 6,1838 ; he returned to barracks late on the night
of the 7th or early on the morning of the Bth. Baker was
also absent, without leave. Saw him on the Bth. Norton
has been out of England on duty; went cut in the Hast-
ings. Perceval had been in the corps a couple of years,
and no charge had been made against his honesty.
James Allen is a serjeant in the Royal Marines, was in
barracks on the night in question; saw Norton come in, he
had been drinking but was not drunk; did not see Perce.
val leave that night ; remembers a constable coming to the
barracks that night.
J. S. Watson recollected the cap the soldier bad on who
attacked him, was a round cap, rather high with a tassel.
The Scrjeant- Major being recalled stated, that the cap
the prisoner Would have on when he left the barracks would
be a foraging cap with brass in front of it, but no tassel.
Mr. DANOE addressed the jury for the defence.
Sergeant Allen was recalled at the request of the jury
and asked if Nortori, on his return to the 'barracks, was in
such a state as to render him incapable of recognizing
persons ?
Witness—Hc was quite capable of so doing.
Mr. Baron GUSNEY summed up, and the jury found the
prisoner Not guilty.

Sir James Duke was accidentallyshut out from
the division in favour of the Jamaica Bill.
THE WEATHEIL—A most delightful change
bas taken place within these few days. The wind, which
had been timid in the East for nearly the last three
mcnths, changed psterday morning, and is now directly
South. There have been several thunder showers, which
havegreatly relieved the pressure of the atmosphere,
andthgereawteatlicr is now so favourable, that the greatest
of all grumblers, as Mr. Huskisson described the farmers,'
cannot find fault with it. Thermometer at nocn 73. in
the shade, and barometer 30. 20. At Paris within these
two days the thermometer has been above 92.