Star.
London, England, 1825-03-30 00:00:00

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4

101

LENT ASSIZES.
LEICESTER, MARCH 2s. . . ,
MUMDaIt. „-
Abraham Biikon, aged 40, stood charted with tbe.
wilful. murder of his, wife, Ann Nilson, at Sutton, in
the parish of Broughton Astley, on the 7th of De-
cember last.

MIYMARRYATT said, he understood it was intended
to set up a plea of insanity on behalf of the prisoner.
He (Mr. Marryatt) should call witnesses who would
prove, that up to the tithe of the "fortunate event, the
prisoner can ied on the several callings of a baker, gar-
dener, and pig jobber, and that no such imputation ever
attached to his character. It would appear that the
prisoner and his wife lived unhappily together, and
that a short time before her death, he *as bound to
keep the peace towards her ; but upon that occasion it.
was never urged in his behalf that he was of unsound
mind. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to state
the evidence to the Jury. When he came to that part
which related to the testimony of the prisoner's son,
Billson was, or appeared to be, greatly agitated. He
hid his face in his hands, and screamed in a most horri-
ble and appalling manner.
Elizabeth Bates examined—l am the wife of James
Bates, and live at Sutton. I remember Tuesday, the
7th of December. As my husband and I sat in our own
house, we heard cries of murder in the prisoner's house.
We went out of our own house, and ran to Billson's
door. I went away from the door, and got up to the
kitchen window. I saw Mrs. Billson get off the floor
all over blood. I saw her put one hand to her ducat,
and the other to the back of her neck. I saw her break
through the glass of the window into the street. She
then came into my house. I said, GOD bless.you, Mrs.
Billion, go to Mrs. Johnson's. I hooted murder against
Mr. Johnson's door, and they let her in. I heard the
prison.;, say, before -this time, that he would murder
his wife. There is only a lath-and-plaster wall between
our houses. I have often heard the prisoner talk of
murdering his wife ; but I never thought him of un-
sound mind.

Mr. Baron Hotaoca—l am liecidedly of opinion, that whether
he was insane or not before the event, does not afect the question.
Cross-examined by Mr. Costmon-Saaavarr—When I beard the
prisoner say he would murder her, he was in a great rage. It was
some months betore. - - -

Mr. John Johnson examined—l live at Sutton, and
remember the deceased coming to our house on the 7th
of December. I went with Mr. Jos. Johnson to the pri-
miner's house. He spoke of his wife in an abusive way,
and I wished him to reconcile himself to her. He
asked me where his wife was? I told him I did net
know. He then went and fetched his wife from my
house. She was much terrified. He then said there
would or should be something done which should bring
the family and the parish into disgrace. I advised him
to be quiet. He ordered me to walk out of his house.
He pulled my chair from under me, and took me by
the collar. There were several in the house. While
we were contending, Mrs. Billion made her escape into
the 'eet, through the wiadaw. After the_fray was
oves_ dillson went away again to see for his wife. There
were many people about, and some had broke through
the door. After this, I saw the prisoner at the door of
my house. He asked me where his wife was? I took
him by the shoulders, and he went with me into my
house and civilly sat down. He then went to another
house, found his wife, came past our house, wished us
good night, and went quietly home. After this I heard
a screaming of murder. I went into the street, and
met Mrs. Billion. She appeared agitated. I took hold
of her. One or both of her hands were up to her neck.
I put my hands to her throat. There was a great deal
of blood. I turned into Mrs. Johnson's house, and set
her on a chair in the parlour. I kept two pocket-hand-
kerchiefs to her neck, but I saw she was dying, and
therefore laid her on the floor. She was alive a short
time after this. As soon as her brother-in-law, Ben.
jamin Knight, came, she raised up ber hand to him.
He gave her some water; she tried to drink. It was
more than ten minutes before she died, after she came
into Mrs. Johnson's house. The prisoner always ap-
peared in his right senses to me. I have known him
for some years.
Cross-examined by Mr. Gootsoav—l knew tke primer's uncle
well; be hanged himself, I believe. I don't know that the pri-
soner's amber was deranged, or any part of his family.
James Bates examined.—l am the husband of Eliza-
beth Bates. I have heard the prisoner threaten to mur-
der his wife many times; the last time •I heard him
threaten to murder her was on the 7tK of December,
between seven and eight in the evening ; he said he
would murder her and all her crew. After this I heard
her cry murder. The cry came from Billion's back
kitchen. I went to Billion's door and forced it open.
When I got in, I found Billion concealing himself on
the roof of the oven. I said, " For GOD sake, what
have you done to your wife, Billsonr He said, " I
have done nothing to my wife, James—she is in the
parlour." He made his escape; I and William Page
ran after him over four fields; he was in sight all the
time ; we found him concealed in a ditch. I said,
Billson, what a man you are 1 I am afraid you have
murdered your wife?" He said, "if she is murdered,
she has murdered herself; I have not done it." We took
him to the Green Dragon. One of his hands bled very
much. He said he had done it in getting over the hedge.
At this time he appeared to me in his right mind.
Cross-examined by Mr. CostwostAtaasa.wr.—When he said be
would murder his wife. be was in a great passion. I have heard
Mm talk to her about another man. H had en that day been to
the Magistrates about being jealous of his wife. I heard Mrs. Bill-
son say, when the prisoner talked of murdering her and all her
crew that she wished she bad been buried before she bad bees
married, and that she would rather be at Botany Bay than live with
him. He might have knocked the skin off his knuckles in getting
over the hedge. I never heard her say that she would kill herself.
William Page deposed to the tame effect as the pre.
ceding witness.
Mr. Edward Dudley Hudson examined—l am a sur-
geon. I saw the deceased on the 7th December. She
was dead. I found a large wound across her throat; it
was upwards of six or seven inches in length, and
about two in depth. It appeared to have been made
with a sharp instrument. The wound began on the left
side of the lower jaw, and was carried to the right ear.
The windpipe was completely cut from the tongue; the
jugular vein was wounded. The external carotid artery
was divided, but not the intern4l one. There was an
other wound. I believe she could not have inflicted
the principal wound upon herself. I had some con-
versation with the prisoner the same night. He de-
clared that he was innocent, and if her throat was cut
she must have done it herself. He was certain no knife
or raz )r of his would be found upon the premises, save
his Own razor, which was in his box up stairs. I saw
no symptoms of insanity it that time.
Cross-examined--I should think that the hand that caused the
wound must have been covered with blood. I cannot give any
positive realm why she could not inflict suck a wound. Why I