The Sun.
London, England, 1840-04-13 00:00:00

LONDON SESSIONS, APRIL 11.

Peter Hackett and Henry While, two young gentleraen,
of highly respectable connections, were indicted for asszult-
ing and imprisoning John Newman, Esq., a barrister, ulder
the following circumstances. The complainant has save-
al times appeared before the public courts, in consequence
of his wilfully annoying the sister and family of Mr. Waite.
Mr. Phillips appeared on behalf of the defendants.
The complainant claimed a right, as a barrister, to state
his own case previously to giving his evidence.
The RECORDER said that the law did not admit of a nan
becoming his own advocate, and then putting himself far-
ward as a witness.
Mr. Newman then stated that he was a barrister, De-
longing to the Court of the Middle Temple. On the 3th
of November he was sitting in his chambers in the Temple,
and hearing a knock at the door, he answered it, and saw
the defendants. Mr. White, whom be had known for six
or seven years, stepped forward and said, " Here's a letter
you left for my sister ; " and Hackett said, " Now, if any
more are sent, I shall give you personal chastisement. as I
shall have a right." Prosecutor said "So do," and shut
the door. The next day he left the same letter, by drop-
ping it down the area, unsealed, as he had many previous
letters.
The REIPORDER—Who did ? Witness—l did, at the
house of the defendant, and I also sent a note b! post to
Miss White. On the Bth I was at chambers, and +I
heard
a single knock; my boy opened the door, and the defend-
ants walked into the room where I was sitting, and White
said, " Here are your letters ; will you promise not to send
any more ?" I declined answering, and they put them-
selves in a menacing attitude, and repeated the question.
Seeing their intention, I called the boy and told him to
get assistance. I was sitting down, and they repeated
the question several times, and I at last said I would make
no such promise, if they murdered me for refusing, I said
I did not know what weapons they had ; and they replied
that they had no murderous weapons, and White imme-
diately struck me a blow on the face with the back of his
hnnd. I said "It is cowardly for two to attack one," and
Hackett replied he would stand back and see fair play.
White again struck me, and I put myself on my
defence, but said I would not strike him, but, only
ward off the blows. Hackett said, " Now at him
again—kick him—pull him out of the corner," which
they did, and White struck me over the eye, which
was cut, as I suppose, Ity the stone in a finger-ring,
and it bled for seven or eight hours. White said, " I
don't like to hit him, because he said, Don't strike me.'"
Hackett said, " Oh, give it him," and he appeared to be
running at me when I ran to the window and cried out
" Murder !" Hackett shut down the window, and then
ran to the door and said no one should come in. I then
ran to the window a second time, and called out" Murder I"
and Hackett again shut it, and ran again to the door. I
then ran to get the poker to knock him down, but
White prevented me, and whilst we were struggling some
persons broke open the door and came to my aid.
The complainant's eye appeared to be much injured.
Mr. C. PHILLIPS cross-examined the complainant, and
he admitted that he bad been bound over to keenthe
peace to Mr. White and his family three timer, and had
only been out of Clerkenwell prison a week, having been
confined for three months. He had also been fined j rol
se.
and imprisoned a month for horsewhipping hlr
Juror—Do you mean the father of the White, n.
young lady ?
Complainant—Yes. (He went into a long detail of pri-
vate transactions and presumed injustice from Mr. White,
which the Court said were irrelevant to the case, and ought
not to have been mentioned).
Mr. PHILLIPS—Was it not for printing a certain docu-
ment, a libel against the family, that you were found
guilty ? Complainant—Yes ; but I was very much sur-
prised at it, I assure you.
Mr. PHILLIPS—Did you write this letter to one of the
servants, after the prohibition of Mr. White ? Com-
plainant—Yes, I have written that, and many others.
Mr. PHILLIPS—How many letters and packets have yea
sent to Miss White, and thrown down the area ? Com-
plainant—They say 500 ; probably I sent 400.
Mr. Pilluirs—Yes, here they are (producing several
bundles).
Complainant—Yes, and many arc very violent ones.
Mr, PHILLIPS—How many times did you convey letters
to her in church in prayer-books? Complainant—l naver
did but once.
Mr. PHILLIPS—That was after the prohibition of the
father against your seeing or speaking to her ? Com-
plainant—Yes; I have since Nov. 1836 always acted in
defiance of him.
Mr. PHILLIPS—Was this the packet of letters the young
gentleman took back ?—ComPlainant —Yes.
The RECORDER—Arc they reflecting on the family ?
Mr. Piroms —They do not know ; they have made up
their minds not to open any letters from him.