The Sun.
London, England, 1830-08-05 00:00:00

DUTIES ON FOIMION CORN.

8,11 Chita 9,1.1 Hean5.........144.
15s. •.14.1.1 Rye lls. Oa.' Pease Oa.

ASSIZES.--(RECEIVED THIS DAY,)

OXFORD CIRCUIT.—STAFFORD, ,Aua. 4.

John litchi's, aged 19,-wes indicted for the moslaugh-
ter of Benjamin Adie,
Mr. Buser stated the ease for the proweatien. The
Learned Counsel said the circumstanees which gave rise to
the prevent inquiry arose out of a pugilistic contest at
Wolverhampton, in which one of the combatants lost his life.
Allrrd Edmonds examined—l know the deceased; he
was a locksmith. 1 slag knew the prisoner. On the
13th of July he was sitting with a youog woman in the
tap room of the Druid's Head public-house, at Wolver-
hampton. About a quarter before eight, Adie, the deceasid,
came into the room; he had a brown stick in his hand,
end was swearing very much. He hit several persons on
the bead with the stick. He then went up to, the young
woman that was playing at cards with the prisoner, and
put his fist into her face. She said. "Do not chi that again,
or some one will make you pay far it." The deceased replied,
" You have got a fighter by your side, and I would as leave
fight him or any one." The deceased then several times
challenged the prisoner to fight. Prisoner said, why I
am not able to tight you ; you are two stone heavier than
me ; besides I du not wish to fight. After some time,
• however, both of them went into the street, where nine
rounds were fought. Some of the by-Aandets then inter-,
ferod, and the battle was adjourned to a neighbmiring
where a ring was formed and seconds appo'nted. In the
second round the deceased fell backwards with his arms
open; he appeared quite senseless, and when lifted up by
his seconds was unable to stand. He was then taken to

his father's house. The deceased's father, who is mere
than seventy years of age,,was present during the whole
fight., and took an active part in what was going► on.
The deceased died in a few hours after he was taken front
the field. The fight lasted about an hour and a quarter.
Cross-examined by Mr. I.xx--The prisoner hail not
given the least provocation to the deceased before he chal-
lenged him to fight; he was challenged a great many times
before he went out. I beard the father of the dereasei in-
sist upon his son fighting...

William Cox gave similar evidence. The deceased left
the field about nine o'clock, and died before twelve o'clock.
Mr. William Gill examined—l am a burgeon nt Wol-
verhampton ; I knew the deceased ; I opened his body
and examined it voinutely ; on the membranes of the brain
was a quantity of coagulated blood, and the brain i!self
was exposed. Death bid ensued from the rupture of one
or more blood vessels on the brain. The deceased was a
very healthy subject ; I should think the blows and falls I
have heard deposed to sufficient to crania the appearance*
I have described, and produce death.
Several witnesses gave the prisoner aaexcellent charac-
ter for kindueas and humanity.
Mr. Justice BOSANQUZT, in summing .Ip, told the
Jury that the indictment did not charge the prisoner with
malice, but with committing au unlawful act; and no one
' could doubt but all persons present at pugilistic encounter*
were acting unlawfully, and, if death mord, were liable
to be convicted of manslaughter. Awl it was the bounden
duty of all those charged with the preservation of the
peace to bring all such cases before a jury. In the pre.
sent case it appeared the prisoner was unwilling to fight,
anal that he received great provocation, hut it was not
proved that he fought in self-defence; be therefort, bad
acted in a manner not justified by the laws. The punish.
ment rested with the Court.

The Jury consulted for some time, and ti►e Foreman
then said, We cannot, my Lord, under s►►ch circum•
stances, convict the prisoner." A verdict of Not Guilty
was returned, and the prisoner immediately d:scharged.
Joints Wright, aged Si, was captally indicted fur as.
milting, and violently beating with au unlawful weapon,
Sophia Wright, his wife, and putting her in fear of bog•
life, and with intent to do her some grievous bodily ham!,
The Jury having heard the evidence, returned a verdict
of Guilty.
Mr. Ju.tice DMA WWI !CT addressmi the prisoner...." I will
consider (said his Lordship) what can be done ; but if your
life is saved, you will be sent out of the country for life,"
Sentence if death was then recorded.