Star.
London, England, 1824-12-20 00:00:00

KENT ASSIZES.

MAIDSTONE, DECEMBER 17.
MURDER AT BECKENHAM.

Thomas Coombs, aged 23, was indicted for the wilful
murder of Thomas Morgan, under gardener, in the stn.
vice of Emmanuel Goodhart, Esq. of Langley Park, in
the parish of Beckenham.
Mr. BeODRICK stated the case for the prosecution,
and gave a succinct detail of the circumstances by which
he proposed to bring the charge home to the prisoner.
All the particulars of the case, and the evidence, have
already been made public through the medium of the
Police Office examinations, and have appeared in our
Paper. The following are the only new facts which
came out : _ _

Mr. James Watkins, a tobacconist, of Kent-street, in
the Borough, looked at some pieces of paper found in the
prisoner's room, and comparing them with the paper
wadding taken from the gun and pistol, had no doubt
that they formed part of the wrappers used in his shop
in the way of his trade. They corresponded
Two pieces of paper taken from the pistol and fitted to
a third piece found in the prisoner's room, formed one
entire bill, with his name and address upon it.
The prisoner being called upon for his defence, said,
that some parts of the evidence against him were untrue;
but be did not state in what particulars it was false.—
He said he had no friends to assist him in his defence.
Mr. Benstead, a Maidstone hoyman and stone mer-
chant, said he had known the prisoner for ten years.—
For seven years of that period he had employed him as
a labourer, during which time he had conducted him-
self with great propriety. For the last three years he
had known very little of him.
Mr. Justice Bunnouon summed up the case for the
Jury, as one requiring the peculiar attention of the Jury,
making such observations as were calculated to assist
them in coming to a satisfactory conclusion, from the
various minute circumstances upon which the question
of guilt or innocence depended. If the Jury were con-
vinced, by what they had heard, that the prisoner was
the murderer, they ought to say so by their verdict; but
if they entertained any sober, rational doubt upon the
subject, they ought to incline in favour of innocence.
The Jury deliberated a few minutes, and found the
prisoner Guilty.
Mr. Justice BURROUOH immediately pronounced the
awful sentence of the law, and ordered the prisoner to
be executed on Monday next (this day.)
Two other capital convicts, one named Ingrain fora
burglary, at Sheerness; the other, George Sti-mbaele, for
stealing 29 sheep, were also left for execution. The
Assizes ended on Friday evening about seven o'clock.

The translation of the Private Journal of MAciAsix
CAsseaw c.smptislng her Correspondence, &c. will be published re
Thursdi:y nest.
Died, on the,ixth ult. in Italy, at the house of his brother-in-law,
the Right Honourable Hamar Viscount Sr. Jowx Lord Botise-
ELMER, Biron of Battersea, of Lydeard Park,Wiltshire. His Lord-
ship is succeeded in his titles and estates by his eldest son, the
Honourable Ilarotsr Sr. Jonx (now Lord Boum...one).
sent Lordship mazritd a sister of Sir Joins His PIC.
ther.in-la.v of Lord FOLUSTOIKE, And PAUL Minnflaip Edii• of
Cush: u-%ouse. . , lannwnv, and is bre-

• • ......

- _, .~ ~~

&Aril

:~ ~y'
~~ ..

. _CC

The
by Gem
under tl
The
shortly
The
to hand
the orig
given.
Mr.

The 1

Mr.
their be
davit,
The
receive
they co
.to file

The.

pleased
The
soothe
lance, a
Justice
should
and as

have b
them.