The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-04 00:00:00

THE

STANFIELD-HALL
MURDERS.

TRIAL OF RUSH.

(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER)
NORWICH, TUESDAY.

Before the rep'rters were admitted this morning the
Governor, Mr. Pinson, called them together, and ex-
pressed a hope that they would keep their penknives, or
an) thing which might bo made available as a weapon,
out of the reach of Rush, stating that he did not ask this
without reason. We understand that during the night the
prisoner became exceedingly violent, and vowed revenge
towards the witnesses who had given evidence against
him. It was, therefore, feared that he might lay violent
hands upon his own life if the means were placed within
his power, or attack any one within his reach. In con-
sequence of the threats used, and the apparently ungo-
vernable rage which had taken possession of the prisoner,
the spikes round the dock were covered, some time before
the meeting of the court, with long and stout pieces of
wood. The conduct of Rush during the night, we were
told, was ferocious in the extreme, and more like
that of a demon than a human being. The
prisoner (A ith whom turnkeys have been in the
habit of sitting up every night, and who have kept a strict
watch over him), however, slept a good deal last night;
his violence csme on early in the morning.
These revelations caused the greatest excitement in
the court, which was crowded.
Mr. Baron Rolfe took his seat at a quarter to nine
o'clock. The jury assembled shortly before.
Before the prisoner was brought in the Under-Sheriff
stated that a man, then in custody and present, had called
out to the jury when leaving their omnibus and entering
the Maid's Head, last night, " Gentlemen, I hope
you will be merciful to Mr. Rush."
Archibald Macdonald, the man referred to, apolo-
gised for his conduct, and declared that it was merely
addressed to a person whom he knew in the omnibus,
and not with any bad intention.

Mr. Baron RaFE said it was extremely important
that the jury should not be communicated with before
giving their verdict. His conduct was most improper;
as, however, he had not sought to injure the prisoner he
should discharge him.
Rush shortly after entered the dock. We did not no-
tice any change in his appearance. Having carefully
arranged his papers, a proceeding which occupied some
time, he applied to be permitted to put a few questions to
Howe.

Mr. Baron ROLFE said he did not know whether he
ought to allow it, because the evidence was altogether
irrelevant—whether innocent or guilty he did not believe
it could affect him.

Rush said he was happy to hear this.
Mr. Baron ROLFE said, however, it was for the jury to
judge.

kush said he only wished to put two or three questions.
Howe was called and examined by Rush—Was in the
habit of frequenting the " Wheatsheaf " in London.
Knew persons in the habit of going there of the name of
IJurrant and Hythe. Had spoken to the former about
the murder. Never said he would go to Norwich and
give evidence if his expenses were paid, in order that he
❑night have a lark with his friends in Norwich. Did
not say ha would give evidence on either side fur 201.
Ile had said he had been out on the " spree" with the
prisoner, which was the case, and that he had said he
" was a jolly good fellow." -
RUSH'S DEFENCE.

Rush then proceeded to address the jury in his de-
fence. He spoke first in a thick voice, but soon re •
gained his usual composure. He implored them to
deal justly with him, and at the outset pro-
claimed h?s innocence, admitting freely that
Irom the enmity that existed between him and the
Jermys, it was but natural he should have been
suspected of this horrible crime the most
gray, and important charge that they could he called
upon to try. He complained that no communication was
allowed to pass between him and his solicitor, except it
was seen by the governor of the Castle, by order of the
magistrates, which was a gross violation of the confidence
that always existed between an accused person and his
professional adviser. His solicitor had sent a memorial
to Sir George Grey, who had declined to interfere.
He had had many difficulties thrown in his way,
and this was not the least of them. Ho trusted
that his Lordship would, as far as was consistent with
his position as Judge, assist him in his defence.,
Mr. Baron ROLFE bowed assent.

Rush went on to complain that witnesses had been
examined against him, without either himself or the
reporters being present, which he considered not only
cruel in the extreme, but unconstitutional. Thomas
Jermy, the claimant of the Stanfield Hall estate, had
arranged with him that he (Rush), with all the strength
he could muster, should take p ,ssession of the hall,
as he had done some years before. He promised
to come to Potash-farm to set about this either on the
Saturday or the Monday, at eight o'clock. They spoke
together about it by the hay-stack, in his farm yard, on
the Friday morning. Ile (Rush) said it was a difficult
thing to do, and that they might expect a resistance.
He (Jermy) said " Nonsense," that it could easily be
accomplished, and there was no fear of soldiers. Jermy
end Lerner then left him, and went to Stanfield-hall.
Ile followed them a little way, but returned
to Potash, about eleven o'clock the same morn-
ing. They communicated again with him on the
subject; but he declined to aid them, they having told
him that they could get plenty of help, and that it would
be well to accomplish there purpose in a morning, The
reason he (Rush) was at Potash at that time was in or-
der that he might prevent his son from joining in the
attempt. Some talk was made about its taking place at
night. To_ this he strongly objected, saying, "at any
rate, don't make up your mind until the morning." He
spoke to a person named "Joe "on the matter. He
should be able clearly to satisfy his Lordship and.the jury
that he did not leave Potash-farm on the night of
the murder until eight or half-past eight. He then went
out; at first he thought he would go over to the ball, but
recollecting what he had said, he made up his mind not
w go. He walked towards the fence of the hall, about five
minutes' walk, when he heard the report of a gun or pis-
tol. He then heard another, but not quite so loud. He was
struck with amazement, as he thought if they intended to
take fire-arms with them that they would only be
used for the purpose of intimidation. He then heard
the alarm bell rung loudly and distinctly. He
hastened back to Potash as quick as he could,
going into the house by the garden gate.
He had seen the lawyer of the parties twice—once at
Norwich, and once at Potash.—(The statement of the
prisoner was somewhat rambling, and it was not without
difficulty that we were enabled to cull the above.) His
Lerdship had said he did not think Howe's evidence im-
portant. Ho did not think so. His evidence was
brought forward as most important to the
ends of the prosecution. Surely the expres-
sion that "he would serve Mr. Jermy with
an ejectment for another world "—if he was an
honest man—a creditable witness, as he was not—but
just the reverse, us several letters he had received
from perfect strangers showed—the proof of the use of
such an expression was most important evidence against
him. Howe would swear anything, and he should show
he was utterly unworthy of belief. Why then was
Jesse White called to prove that he wrote
the threatening notices on the copy-book covers ?
He had not anything like the opportunities of becoming
acquainted with his handwriting that Glasgow had. Why
was he not called? He was too honest, like White, to
swear to what was false. The happiness of his
deer young children (the prisoner has a large family
living at Fehningliam) depends upon the issue of this
trial. God knew he was innocent. He had nothing on his
mind, and he defied the prosecution,notwithstanding all the
skill of the Learned Counsel for the prosecution, to prove
one atom of important evidence against him, notwith-
stanC.ing all the evidence they have called. Before
he had done, he would show them that he was utterly in-
nocent of this crime, and he trusted God Almighty would
give him strength to support him to the end of that inves-
Nudes.. As true as he was standing there in that dock,
he should show that his suspicions were well founded.
He had not the least fear of the result, and be hoped
God Almighty would give them the means of seeing
the case in its true light, and that ho was
innocent. He should give satisfactory reasons why he
went out. In short, he should show them that he knew
no more about the murders than any of them. He did
not at any time shoot much, but it so happened at the
time of the murder he did shoot a good deal. There
was one important witness, an hottest fellow, whom they
dared not call. They had threatened him with the
prison ; but he should call him. The evidence with re-
spect to the boots was as gross a piece of evidence as
could be produced; he should show it in a different light.
Then, with respect to the straw littered along the soft
soil, it had been there since. the harvest, and was the track
the pigs took to the fields. There were some important
questions that he should have liked to have put to Mrs.
Jermy; had she not been so ill, poor thing, he should
have pressed the production of her evidence.
The prisoner here asked the Judge, as ho wished to
call again two or three of the witnesses for the prosecu-
tion, whether he should do so before he proceeded?
The Juiscs—What do you mean by calling otht r wit-
nesses? The Prisoner—Those I want to call. There's
Savory, Bra.nchlow, and another.
The JUDGE—You must conclude all you have to say
before you call any witnesses.

• The prisoner pr-oceeded—ln considering the bearing
of the evidence they ought to compare the evidence
given by the same witness in one place with his evi-
dence given in another; and on bearing the depositions
read he hoped they would compare them carefully. For
instance, there was Watson the butler's evidenCe. Let
them look to what he said before the magistrates and
afterwards. He was fairly forced to what he said, poor
fellow. Ho believed there never had been a man so
pressed as he had been. His impression was that Wat-
son was honest, and was willing to give his evidence
right, but that he was forced to do otherwise, and he
could prove his evidence was completely wrong. (The
prisoner then proceeded to read the depositions of
Watson before the magistrates and before the coroner.)
They would remark that he omitted many things be.
fore the latter which ho had sworn to in the other
depositions. He said, for instance, he saw a man
the passage with a mask on his face, and
comingdc up
scribAhow his arms were, &c. Before the co
rover he omitted all these particulars, and in court he
said that as soon as he left the pantry he saw a man turn
the corner. The time between the first and secondshots,as
stated by other witnesses, was not the same as that stated
by Watson. In fact, it was clear there were two people in
the hali from the description, and that what was called
y some witnesses the hall-door banging was the second
report, With regard to Watson's evidence, that the man