Star.
London, England, 1830-08-06 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD ClRCUlT.—Svavronn,
Jodi. Hickiss, aged 19, was indicted for the manslaughter of
Benjamin Adie.
Mr. BUSIT stated the case for the prosecution. The Learned
Counsel said, the circumstances which gave rise to the mans in.
quiry arose out of a pugilistic contest at Wolverhampton, in which
one of the combatants lost his life.
Alfred Edmonds examined—l knew the deceased ;he was a
locksmith. I also know the prisoner. On the 13th of July he was
sitting with a young woman in the tap-room of the Druid's Head
public-house, at Wolverhampton. About a quarter before eight,
Adie, the deceased, came into the room ; he had a brown stick in his
hand; he was swearing very much; he bit several persons on the
head with the stick; he then went up to the young woman that was
playing at cards with the prisoner, and put his fist into her face.
She said, " Don't do that again, or some one will make you pay for
it." The deceased replied, You have got
~ a fighter by your side,
and I would u leave fight him as any one. The d •••• sed then se.
veral times challenged the prisoner to fight. Prisoner said, Why
I am not able to fight you ; you are two stone heavier than me ;
besides Ido not wish to fight. After some time, however, both of
them went into the street, where nine rounds were fought. Some of
the by.standers then interfered, and the battle was adjourned to a
neighbouring field, where a ring was famed. and seconds appointed.
In the second round the deceased fell backwards with his arms
open ; he appeared quite senseless, and when lifted up by his se-
conds was unable to stand. He was then taken to his father's house.
The deceased's father, who is more than seventy years of age, was
present during the whole fight, and took an active part in what was
going cm. The deceased died in a few hours after be was taken
from the field. The fight lasted about an hour and a quarter.
Cross-examined by Mr. Lat.—The prisoner had not given
the least provocation to the deceased before he challenged him
to fight; he was challenged a great many times before he
went out. I head the father of the deceased insist upon his eon
fighting.
William Cox gave similar evidence. The deceased left the field
about nine o'clock, and died before twelve o'clock.
Mr. William Gill examined.—l am a surgeon at Wolvethamp.
ton ; I knelt, the deceased ; I opened his body, and examined it mi.
nutely ; on the membranes of the brain was a quantity of coagulated
blood, and the brain itself was exposed. Oath has ensued from
the rupture of one or more blood-vessels on the brain. The de.
ceased wu a healthy subject; I should think the blows and falls I
have heard deposed to sulfides' to cause the appearances I have de.
scribed, and produce death.
Several witnesses gave the prisoner an excellent character for kind.
ness and humanity.
Mr. Justice BOSAIMIJET in summing told the Jury that
the indictment did Dot charge the prisoner with malice, but with
an unlawful act ; and no one could doubt but all persons present at
pugilistic encounters were acting unlawfully, and, if death ensued,
were liable to be convicted of manslaughter. And it was the
bounden duty of all those charged with the preservation of the peace
to bring all such cases before a Jury. In the present case it sp.
peered the prisoner was unwilling to fight, and that be received great
provocation, but it was not proved that he fought in self-defence;
he therefore had anted in a manner not justified by the laws. The
punishment rested with the Court.
The Jury consulted for some time, and the Foreman then said--
" We cannot, my Lord, under such circumstances. convict the psi.
saner." A verdict of Not Guilty was returned, and the prisoner was
immediately discharged.
Jaws Wright, aged 31, was capitally indicted for assaulting, and
violently beating with an unlawful weapon, Sophia Wright, his
wife, and petting her In fur of her life, and with intent to do her
some grievous bodily harm.
The Jury having head the evidence, returned a verdict of
Guilty.
Mr. Justice Bosurensi addressed the prisonee.—" I will eon.
side." said his Lordship,what can bedew t but if your life is saved
you will be sent out of the country fa life."
Sentence of Death was then recorded.
MAIDSTONE, Arlo. 4.
Hairy Leigh, saddler, and Thomas Meagher, tailor, two ea
spectable-looking young men, were charged with entering the dwel-
ling-house of Steoen Judge, at Tenterden, and stealing therefrom
17 sovereigns, and other property, to the amount of 401.
Stephen Judge, a tailor at Tenterden. stated that on the 10th April,
on awaking about five in the morning, be observed the chamber-door
open. Sheenier was his journeyman, and in his employment at
the time. Sheather, and an apprentice of the name at Polhill,
slept in the same room with him. Wilms bad in his =oilcloth's
the preceding evening 22 sovereigns and one pound in silver. On
going down aides he found the yard deer open, and in the kitten
found the smanclothes, with the money taken out. He aloe missed
about thirty yards of cloth. A pane of glass had been taken eat
of the kitchen window. hat It was not possible for a pen= muside
to open it by inserting his hand thr ugh the hole. Witness had
mentioned to the prisoner, Sheather, that he was going to London
next mornining for the purpose of paying some bills, and had the
money with him.
On cross-examination, witness said the prisoner, Sheathe?, had
been with hint for four years, and hod always conducted himself
honestly. Should he be acquitted witness would have no objection
to sake him again into his employment.
hleyham, constable, apprehended the prisoner Leigh on
the 10th of April, on a Hastings coach, going for London. He had
with him a trunk and a basket. Prisoner said at first he had no
luggage, when witmesdemended of the coachman tbeluggage. The
guard then gave witness the trunk and basket. as bele to the
prima. When maide the bus& the risme pve•wimess the
key, and said Mr. illikeligeo -sloth was All there. Oa opening the
mink be found the clothosolts4 loam and *pair of pumps, which
had healing wet. sOniettlebbig his pease. be fated a pewee con-
taining 17 sovereigns, four hglf eoeuvignst sow silver,- mid h bad