Star.
London, England, 1822-10-22 00:00:00

The Jury returned, and the case was discharged.
.Mr. W. Mlles, a Gentleman of most respectable ap-
pearance and connections, was indicted for au assault
on Isaac Hawkins, a constable, whilst in the execu-
tion of his duty au Walliam-green, on the 21st of July.
The prosecutor stated, that on the night in question
he found the prisoner engaged in a fight on the green,
with a Mr. Keelin, who lived in the neighbourhood;
they had their coats off, and were fighting. Witness
interfered, as was his duty (here he entered into a
tedious detail of particulars ; and swore positively to
the fact of having, without any one provocation, re-
ceived a blow from the travel set). Witness, assisted
by Smithers, the officer, succeeded in petting the tra-
verser into the cage, where he remained all night.
On his cross-examination he denied that he had ill-
used the travetser; Mr. Keelin never came forward
to make any charge. He did net hear Smithers say,
" D—n hint if he should not have blood for supper.'
Smithers was next examined, in support of the evi-
dence of the last witness. On his cross-examination,
he admitted that he said He would have blood
for supper ;" but he did not say so until the prisoner
and his friends threatened to shoot him. He said he
would have blood for supper after his brains were
blown out—(A laugh).
Two females were then examined by Mr. Cut IMES
rutt.ttes, but they did not state any material fact.
Mr. ADOLPHUS addressed the Jury on behalf of,
the prisoner. Ile said, that the case was one of a
most shameful description, but it was not without
-example. It was but too much the custom of those
whose duty it was to preserve the peace, (to exert
themselves to the utmost in order to effect its viola-
tion. Constables and watchmen were notoriously in
the habit of advancing the most scandalous charges'.
—of supporting those charges by the most scandal:.
ous perversion of facts, in the hope of extorting Money
from those, who, though conscious of innocence, were
yet unwilling to face a Court of Justice. Such pre-
cisely was the character of the present case. He had
no hesitation in saying that the witnesses were un-
worthy of -credit—that Smithers, in particular, was
guilty of rank perjury. That individual was a con-
stable belonging to Bow-street Office, but he (Mr.
Adolphus) hoped he would be no longer permitted
to hold that situation. It was a truly frightful exhi-
bition to see such a person as Smithers swearing in a
Court of Justice. It was alarming to think that in
a very few days that very Smithers might place
himself on the table at the Old Bailey, and give
evidence, that might consign unhappy individuals
to transportation, nay even to death 1 He trusted
that, for the sake of public justice, and in mercy to
his Majesty; subjects, suth persons would not be per-
mitted to fill situations to which they were a disgrace.
The Learned Gentleman next proceeded to state the
prisoner's case at considerable length. On the night
in question he dined at Walham-green, at the house
of Mr. Stocking. On his way home he knocked at
the door of Keelin; he made a mistake; but Keelin,
vexed at being disturbed, issued out of the house, and
some blows passed. The matter was adjusted, or
nearly so, when the piosecutor and Smithers came
up. They used the /risotter in the most abusive
manner; they dragged him to what they called the
cage—a wretched small room, where he was obliged
to remain all night. Such was the violence done to
his person, that he found it necessary to call in a sur-
geon. Soling Mr. Stocking and other respectable
Gentlemen uho were present, offered to be answer-
able for his appearance, but they refused to let him
go at large for the night. In the Meantime- the pro-
secutor arranged his plan, knowing that his evidence
and that of Smithers would be contradicted by the
Gentlemen who were present, and who had witnessed
and reprobated their conduct. They had the auda-
city to prefer an indictment against the whole party
for no other purpose than to disqualify them from
.giving evidence. The Learned Counsel called Mr.
Stocking, jun. he was examined at very considerable
length, when
The Foreman of the Jury intimated to the Coort
that the minds of the Jury were satisfied—and they
iastanily returned a verdict of—Not Guilty.
LONDON SESSIONS.

Yesterday these Sessions were held before the
LORD AIAYOR, kc.

A hale and respectable looking man, named John
Clarke, was tried upon an indictment for having 2s.
• saulted Martin Smith, an infirm old man.

Mr. ARABIN stated the case for the prosecution as
one of peculiar aggravation. The parties were both
tradesmen.- Either for their convenience or amuse-
ment, both parties kept fowls, and each set of hens
was of conase protected by a cock. These cocks often
fought desperately, in defence of the females under
their cat e ; but the defendant, who was willing to sec
his own cock fight when it was likely to beat, could
not bear to see it vanquished, and as the prosecutor's
bird was the best of the two, the defendant entertained
great animosity towards him on that account.
The prosecutor deposed, that on the 26th of June
last his cock had a set-to" with the defendant's..-,
The defendant's son, setting that his father's cock was
not likely to have occasion to Glow after the battle,