The Sun.
London, England, 1833-12-16 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

HOME ClRCUlT—MainsrarrE, DEC. 14.
TRIAL OF JOHN BODLE, FOR THE MURDER OF HIS

GRANDFATHER, AT PLUMSTEAD.

The public anxiety to witness this extraordinary
trial appeared, perhaps, more strongly this morning
than on the previous day, and the Court was again
crowded in every part.
The Learned Judge arrived in Court at about
eight o'clock, and the Jury, who had been locked
up all night in a room in the Court-hall, and had been
supplied by the Sheriff with a dinner and break-
fast, together with mattresses and blankets, were
brought in.

John Bodle, the prisoner's father, was then called
and examined by Mr. CLARKSON—Mary Higgins
did tell me that the prisoner said that he had
done for one party, and would do for another, and
that he was satisfied with what he had done. Mary
Higgins never said that she hoped that she would
not be wanted to go before the Magistrates. I was
at my father's house on the Saturday, at six o'clock
in the evening, but not before. I got up that
morning at about seven o'clock, which is rather
later than usual. I went to my father's at six
o'clock for my money. That was all I went for. I
did not, before that, know that any of the family
were ill. I had no notice that either of them was
ill. I speak on reflection. I went across the com-
mon to attend the sheep of Mr. Baxter, but tha.
was after I had my breakfast. I remained there
from about eight o'clock till dinner time. I know
Jacobs, the tailor. He and his wife live on the
common. Ido not recollect whether or not I went
to their house on that morning. I will not
swear that I was not there at ten o'clock in

the morning ; lam not positive. I did not tell
.1 as that there was a devil of a job happened
3y father's, that they had been all taken ill after
breakfast, that they were all retching and
vomiting, and had been terribly worked, or any other
words to that effect. I never said that they had been
taking their usual diet for breakfast, when Jacobs
asked ma what they had taken. No conversation
passed on the subject. I laid the information be-
fore the magistrates against my son. I went to
Woolwich on the Wednesday along with Messrs.
Baxter, Wessel, and Mason, the executors. I did
it from what I heard my father say on his death-bed.
I did it from a sense of justice. I believe lam en-
titled to the bulk of my father's property after the
death of my mother. I have never heard that he
caused his will to be altered shortly before his death.
I saw Mr. Baxter on the Thursday morning before
my father died. I did not tell Baxter on the 26th
of October that my father was going to alter his
will. I had no conversation with him on the sub-
ject. I did not know that there had been a will
made, although he did. When I came home at six
o'clock on the Saturday evening, I told my wife
that they were all ill down at my father's. I did not
say that they were poisoned. I do not recollect
saying anything about poisoning. (The witness
was repeatedly cautioned that he need not answer
any questions unless he chose to do so.) I object
to answer whether I have ever been charged with
felony; or that I have ever been in Maidstone
gaol; or that I have families living by three different
tvnmen besides my wife; or that l was ever charged
with attempting to cut my wife's throat.
Samuel Baxter examined—l am one of the exe-
cutors of the deceased. I have known the prisoner
at the bar ever since he was born. I never saw any