The Sun.
London, England, 1822-08-21 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

• CARNARVON, Ava 14. •
TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF. LEWIS OWEN,
For a desperate attempt to commit Robbery and Murder, on the
Ifolhead Road, North Wales.

[FROM THE CHESTER. COURANT, AUG. 20.]

The trial of this culprit excited a strong degree of interest

in the principality ; an attempt of the kind was without prece-
dent, and the county of Carnarvon had witnessed no execution
for the space of more than 20 years. Under such circum-
stances, the hall. of the court was crowded at an early hour,
and it was with much difficulty the Judges could preserve or-
der, during the necessary arrangements for the commencement
of the trial. At nine o'clock precisely the Court sat, and after
the Jury had been sworn, none of whom were challenged by
the prisoner, the Attorney-General addressed them, in a cir-
cumstantial detail of the prominent features of the case, ob-
serving, that " the case itself, happily for the county, was with-
out example ; and although it was marked by a degree of atro-
city, equal, if not exceeding any thing cf the kind which his
professional practice had furnished, yet it was a consolation to
reflect, that the activity and vigilance which had been used in
arresting the prisoner, together with the probability of his fate,
would leave an impression sufficiently deep and memorable, to
prevent any repetition of theerime.'
Thomas Sturdy, the first Witness, deposed, that he was
a supervisor of excise, residing at Conway ; that on the 24th
of April last, he was travelling On horseback towards Bangor,
from Capel Cerrig; that about two miles beyond the second
turnpike he was met by the prisbner, at the hour of half-past
three o'clock in the day, and coming on the near side of
his horse, lie laid hold of the bridle, presenting at the same
time a pistol to his breast, and demanding his money, with
a threat he would blow his brains out if he refused ; that
upon this he dismounted, and not complying immediately
with the demand, the robber fired and shot him in the
arm; that he then offered him 3s. 6d., all the silver he
had about him, which the robber refused, declaring that
" he must have all or none," and repeating, in violent
terms, his threat of immediate death, if he refused. Mr.
sturdy still contended against the demand, when the robber
tired his second pistol, the ball from which passed through his
hat and coat. On this Mr. Sturdy resolved to act on the of-
fensive, and attempted to knock down the robber, but the lat-
ter closing on him got him down, and finding him exhausted,
left him on the ground, and instantly mounted his horse, with
which, and a pair of saddle-bags, he rode away, taking the
road towards Denbigh, after passing the two next turnpikes, at
one of which lie threatened to shoot the keeper, if lie did not
instantly let him pass.
The next witness was William Prichard, who deposed that
lie was but a short distance from the foregoing scene when it
passed; that after the first shot was fired, the robber turned
towards him, after Mr. Sturdy had called to him for assistance,
but not liking the danger of standing before a pistol, he had
run away, about jive roods, as he called it, (measuring about
40 yards) and after he had got to a safe distance, he saw the
pistol fired, and the robber riding off with Mr. Sturdy's horse.
'William Thomas deposed to the robber's passing the turn-
! pike-gate, mounted on Mr. Sturdy's horse; that he followed the
robber to Denbigh, with singular speed and perseverance, and
having obtained assistance, arrested him at the Swan Inn, with
Mr. Sturdy's horse.
Edward Williams deposed to assisting Wm. Thomas in the
arrest, and taking the 'pistols from the robber, which he pro-
duced, and they appeared to have been recharged with powder
and ball.
Alderman Hughes, of Denbigh, deposed to the taking the
examinations of Wm. Thomas, and the prisoner confessing that
the whole was true, admitting his guilt.
Mr. Titley, of Llanrwst, a surgeon, deposed to extracting
the ball from Mr. Sturdy's arm, which lie produced.
This evidence constituted the case, upon which the CHIEF
JUSTICE charged the Jury in a perspicuous and able exposi-
tion of facts ; observing, that a clear and consistent chain of
evidence had been established against the prisoner, which left
no doubt of his guilt ; but if they' could see the casedifferently,
they would give him the benefit of such doubt.
The Jury retired and in six minutes returned a verdict of
Guilty against the prisoner, who had no professional assistance.
He was sentenced to be executed on the 4th of September next,
and appeared to manifest extreme indifference to his dreadfd
situation.