The Sun.
London, England, 1869-11-24 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COUR7.—This Day.

OLD COURT.
(Befure Mr. Justice Byles.)
THE WOOD-GREEN TRAGEDY.

Frederick Hinson was placed iu the dock, in-
dicted for the wilful murder of William Douglas
Boyd and Maria Death.
The fatal occurrence took place on tl..e 4th of
October last at Wood-green, and the det, tits of it
are so well known that repetition of them, on this
occasion is needless.

The witnesses for the prosecution hal iu.,g been
examined,
Dr. Kennealy addressed the jury for the p6soner.
lie contended that the conduct of the deceasell man
Boyd had been such as to create a feeling in the
prisoner's mind which upset reason, and in
the short fury thu meeting of the two per-
sons in company together at the rail way sta-
tiou produced, he became, fur the time,
an irresponsible agent. lie knew that his hopes of
happiness in this world had gone, and i❑ the agony
of his mind he returned home, he found his gun
ready loaded, and in a state of wild insanity, of un-
controlied madness, he shot her through the beam
Was it possible fur any other person than a blind,
insane man to have acted in the manner
the prisoner had done. They had it from more
than two witnesses that the man when last seen
after the shot had been fired had the appearance of
a wild and insane person, and being in this state of
wild excitement could they come to the conclusion
that he was in a state of mind to become responsible
for his actions. The whole of the witnesses for the
prosecution agree that the prisoner, after the shot
had been fired and before ho met with the man
Boyd, was in a state of wild insanity, and that im-
pression he thought was fully confirmed by the
actions of the prisoner when reason began to
assume its sway by his coolly asking the question,
"Where's the police ?" He felt that they would weigh
well the whole of the facts connected with the case,
and that they would calmly deliberate before they
came to the conclusion that he was in the ;posses-
sion of reason when the terrible act was com-
mitted. They would also bear in mind that the
old law justified a man taking the life of another
man found in adultery with his wife.
Mr. Justice Byles said that was not the law.
Dr. Kennealy—He was under the impression that
such was so, but if not murder it was at least
treated as justifiable homicide, and all be asked the
jury to say was that the act committed by the prisoner
did not amount to murder, that he had received
such provocation as would reduce the crime below
that of murder.

Mr. Justice Byles said prisoner was indicted for
that he did, on the 4th of October last, with malice
aforethought, put an end to the life of Maria Death.
He might say that the defence set up for the pri-
soner was, that he had received such provocation as
to reduce the crime below that of murder. The
learned counsel had made certain observations on
the law with respect to that point, but he might
tell him that a man taking another man in
the act of adultery with his wife, and
killing him, might by the law become justifiable
homicide, but this case was different in some im-
portant points from that. The deceased man was
not taken in the act, and the deceased woman was
not the prisoner's lawful wife, and he might say
that if wild and reckless passion was to become
a palliation for the crime of murder, no
man's life would be safe for au instant.
Divesting the case from all the intricacies with
which it had been surrounded, the only question
that was left for them to decide was, Did or did not
the prisoner kill the unfortunate woman Maria
Death ? The judge than proceeded to read the
evidence and comment upon it. Having concluded,
The jury, after a very short deliberation, re-
turned a verdict of guilty.
The Learned Judge then passed sentence of
death, which the prisoner heard with the greatest
composure.

POLICE INN ELLE.; ENCE.-2his Day,

~~ ~_

MARYLEBONE.

ANOTHER BETTING-MOUSE P.KOSECUTION.—Thom4s Rus-
sell, 9, Bird-street, Marylehme, beershop-keeper, was
charged with keeping a house for the purpose of betting,
and John Fart Ling !MI Richard Richards were ttlo
charged with being there fur the purpose of aiding and
assisting.

Mr. Draper, superintendent D division, watched the
case on behalf of the Commissioners of Po'ice ; and Mr
Hamilton, 13roniley (barrister), instructed by Mr. Scarth,
appeared for Russell, and Mr. J.)Linson defended the other
two prisoners.

The case stood formally adjourned from last week upon
Mr. Draper's producing the Chief Commissioner's warrant
authorising the entering of the premises.
Mr. Bromley applied for a further adjournment on the
ground that Mr. Straight, the counsel who had been
specially retained, was engaged at the Central Criminal
Court in the Wood-green murder case. lie (Mr. Bromley)
knew nothing of the case, and had requested him to at-
tend to ask for the adjournment. He thought it would
be expedient, as some very important points of lAw might
arise.

Mr. Draper did not object, providing substantial bai
was ordered.

Mr. d'Eynconrt acceded to the adjournment for a week
and ordered Russell to find one bail in the sum of £lOO
and himself in the sum of £BOO ; Farthing and Richards
each to find one bail in the sum of £5O and themselves in
£lOO for their reappearance.
The bail was forthcoming.