The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-08 00:00:00

SOUTH Will?K.

Just before the closing of this court William Augustus
Sheen, a tall gentlemanlike man, described, as a major in
the army, was brought before Mr. A'Beckett, charged
with intermarrying with Miss Augusta Whitaker Green,
his first wife being still alive.

William Barnes stated that he was a City policemen,
and that he received information that mornicg from the
solicitor to the prosecutrix that the prisoner, who was
charged with bigamy, had just arrived from Paris, and
was staying at an hotel in the Waterloo-road. He
(the policeman) proceeded there that day and took
him into custody on the charge, which he denied, as-
serting that there was no foundation for it, and that it
was prompted by a revengeful feeling on the part of
a woman whe had an animosity against him. The
policeman produced the copies of two certificates of
marriages contracted by William Augustus Sheen, the
one in 1838, at St. Magnus, in the City; and the other
in 1844, at St. Mary's, Dover. Ho added, that the
copies of the certificates were given to him by the so-
licitor for the prosecutrix.
Mr. A'BECgETT inquired if the prisoner admitted that
his name was William Augustus Sheen? and the reply
was in the affirmative.

The Solicitor stated, that in an interview he had with
the clerk of the church in which the second marriage had
been solemnized, that officer proved the authenticity of
the certificate, and also identified the prisoner as the
person mentioned in the document.
The prisoner, who was much excited, and could
scarcely be restrained from interrupting the officer while
giving his evidence, now exclaimed that a gross conspi-
racy to ruin him existed against him, that he was
dragged away without time even to collect his papers
aud other documents which were of the utmost import-
ance in the elucidation of his innocence, aud that he
had a charge himself of a most grave nature to bring
against the woman who instigated the present pro-
ceedings.
Mr. ATEC&ETT advised the prisoner to be quiet,
as he would do himself no good by interrupting the pro-
ceedings. Prisoner—l only want justice. I had a
brother who \vas married some time ago, and there may
be some mistake about it in taking me for him. All I
can say is, that I am not guilty of bigamy.:
Mr. ATECKETT said, that upon the evidence pro-
duced before him, it would be his duty to remand the
prisoner for further examination, as the material wit-
nesses were not in attendance. Prisoner—l have an
engagement to dine at the west end of the town at six
o'clock; it will be a most serious disappointment if I am
to be precluded from going there. It I am to be de-
tained in custody, will your worship permit an officer to
accompany me, and I will pledge my honour and repu-
tation that I will not go out of his sight? I: is with my
solicitor, who is entirely ignorant of these proceedings
against me, that I am engaged to dine.
Mr. A'I3ECKETT said that he could not comply with
the application, but that, under the circumstances, he
had no objection to accept of two sureties of 1001. each
for his appearance on Monday next.
The prisoner was then remanded until that day, and
while in the gaoler's-room he was provided with writing
materials to apprise his friends of the situation in which
he was placed! . _ _