The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-18 00:00:00

SURREY SESSIONS•

(Before Mr. Baggallay, Q.C.)
Daniel Dacombe, 48, a singular-looking man,
was indicted for unlawfully and maliciously cutting
and wounding John Taut, with a chopper and
butcher's knife, at Newington.
Mr. M'Neven prosecuted, and Mr. Lilley' de-
fended the prisoner.
The prosecutor, a little man, whose Lead and left
hand were bandaged up, and who appeared to have
been suffering severely from wounds, said he was
in the employ of Mr. Glover, pork butcher, Wal-
worth-road. He had known the prisoner some
years as an imbecile, but always considered him to
be harmless. About eight o'clock on the morning
of the 26th ult. witness was unloading his master's
cart at the shop-door, and by some means he acci-
dentally brushed against the prisoner, who called
out, " What did you do that for ?" and, following
him into the shop, took up a 71b. weight, with
which he attempted to strike him. He avoided the
blow by running into the back shop, where he re-
mained until he was gone. About twelve at noon
he brought some goods into the shop, when he saw
the prisoner there again, but took no notice of him.
The prisoner, however, on seeing him, snatched up
a chopper, and flung it at him with consider. blo
violence, striking him on the left arm, but not with
the sharp edge. The prisoner then seized the large
knife, and rushed upon him, making several thrusts
at him with it. Witness closed with him and threw
him down, with the view of disarming him, but the
prisoner used the knife wit'a such dexterity as to
wound him frightfully. He cut a piece off the top
of his head, part of his left ear, and when witness
put his left hand up to protect himself he actually
cut the ends of two of his fingers off. He also in-
flicted two deep gashes on the top of his head, and
cut him on the left shoulder. Had not assistance
come he would have murdered him. Witness was
carried to the hospital, and was still under medical
treatment.

Cross-examined—Did not purposely run up
against the prisoner with a pig, neither did he provoke
him in the least. He joked with him as usual allout
his wife, and that wasall.
William Bollard, another man in Mr. Glover's
employ, gave corroborative evidence.
r. Lilley then addressed the jury at some length
for the prisoner, whose family connections were
highly respectable, and who was well known to all
the tradespeople and inhabitants of the Walworth-
road for his kindness and humanity. He should be
able to show that he was aggravated by Taut, and
annoyed in such a manner as to provoke him to com-
mit an act he would not otherwise have done. The
learned counsel called four witnesses, who said that
they saw the prosecutor excite the prisoner, and
push him about on the morning in question. They
said he was in the habit of doing so, well knowing
his weak intellect. _ _

A number of highly respectable tradesmen came
forward to speak on the prisoner's behalf, and
The jury returned a verdict on the second count,
for unlawfully wounding, recommending him to the
mercy of the court.
The Chairman observed that the jury had come
to a proper verdict, and he should consider the re-
commendation by sentencing the prisoner to Si
months' imprisonment in the county gaol, where
he would have the careful attention of the surgeon.

COUN2 RI M.A.REE2 S.

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NEWARK-WEDNESDAY.

The greater part of the wheat crop is safely garnered,
and the yield will prove better than was expected. Barley
is a prolific yield, but the grain is discoloured.
White wheat new, 56s to 61s Barley, grinding.. 30s to 333
Red do. s6s to 58s Oats, old, .. 2Bs to 32s
Old white 6os to 63s New do 24s to 273
Red do. 57s to 60s Beans.. 42s to 450
j
Barley, malting.... 37s to 40s Beans, new.. —s to —$

Peas, • . • ..'

39s to 40s

BOSTON-WEDNESDAY.

Reports vary respecting wheat, but upon the whole an
average crop may be anticipated. Oats, barley, and beans
promise well.
White wheat 56s to Ms I Barley 33s to 37s
Red s4a to 60s I Oats, new, 22s to 29s
Beans ....42s to 46s I Peas 40s to 500