Star.
London, England, 1825-03-11 00:00:00

DURHAM.

Joseph Lowton, of Newbottle, pitman, was indicted
for the wilful murder of his wife, Jane Lowton, ou ihe
13th of October last. He was also charged with the
same offence by the Coroner's Inquest.
George Ryder was examined by Mr. CRESWELL, and
deposed as follows :—I am brother of the deceased, Jane
Lowton. I was staying with them on the 12th of
October last ; they had one room to live in; I slept in
that room on the 12th of October. I went to bed about
seven o'clock. (The witness had his arm in a sling,
and appeared to be unwell). Jane Lowton was then at
home, but she went. out afterwards; She returned about
ten'o'clock : her husband returned about ten minutes
after her. He said he wanted some more ale; she said
he had got plenty to-night. She-went out to fetch a'
quart, but the public-ho Use was locked up, and she'
could not get it. He went out soon after her; he was
not at home when she returned, but came in about
quarter of an hour after her. After she returned this
second time, he began to accuse her about Gibson. He
began to undress to go to bed. He threw his boots at
her; then he shoved her out of the room, and pushed
her down stairs. He marched about the room between
.
the bed and the door, and said he would murder her.'
He then put off his clothes, and went to bcd ; he got up
about seven o'clock in the morning. I got up about
ten minutes after him. I saw my sister in the morning,
in John Hall's room ; it is a room which adjoins the
prisoner's, under the same roof; Mary Purvis lives
there. I cautioned my sister to keep out of her bus-
`band's way.
Crois-examined by Mr. GREENWOOD.—On the even-
ing in question I heard the prisoner complain bitterly
of his wife's conduct. I had not before heard him corn-
plain of his wife. He at that time charged her with
adultery with Gibson. He appeared very agitated.
EWhile this witness was giving his evidence, the pri-
soner appeared so much agitated, that the Judge anon ed
him to sit down.]
Mary Purvis examined—l was at Cook's public-house
en Tuesday night the 12th of October, about a quarter
past ten o'clock. I saw the prisoner and his wife there;
she was sitting on his knee, and he appeared very kind
to her at that time. They went away together before
me. This Tuesday night was the' Houghton feast. 1
went to Cook's to seek my son. I left the house between
11 and 12 o'clock. I stopped late' because I was helping
them to clean. As I was going home, I went into the
house Oa person of the name of Batey. The prisoner's
wife was lying on Batey's bed, crying. Batty was very
poorly. After I came out of Batey s, I went into my
own room. The prisoner came into my room soon after
I got home, and asked me if I knew where their Jane
was ? Our rooms are on the same staircase. I told the
prisoner I did not know where she was. The prisoner then
went into his own room, and locked his door. About
an hour after this his wife came and rapped at my door,
and asked me to let her sleep all night with me, which
I did. I did not see the prisoner again till he came in
between 11 and 12 o'clock the next day. He came into
my room, saw his wife, and struck at her with his hands.
He wished to put her out of the room : he said she should
not sleep another night under the roof. He struck her
twice with his double fist; he hit her over the head. She
did not say anything to him at that time. He then
took hold of her to put her down stairs. She said
she would not go. She sat down on the bedside, put
one hand within the other, and said, 66 Hinney, Joe,
why are you using me in such a manner for no
fault?" She said she defied either man or -woman
to lay anything to her charge since she was tied to him;
He took up a chair,and was going to throw it into the bed
to her; he was about three yards from the bed; I clickt
his arm back, and hindered him from throwing the
chair ; I took it from him. He stepped tbout a yard
from me to the fire-place, took up this piece of metal
(iron), and threw it at her. He was about thiee yards
from her when he threw it. She was lying on the bed,
leaning her head on her right hand. Just as I was lifting
up my head, I saw him throw it out of his hand at her.
It went right into her left temple; he threw it softly.
When I looked about to see where it fell, it was sticking
in her head. I then stepped forward, and said, 41 Ah,
rogue, theu'st killed her now—thou'st killed her now."
He never spoke in answer to this, but stepped forward
to the bed, and took the poker out of her head. I Then
ran down stairs, and shouted for some -one to run for
the doctor; I saw nothing but the poker pulled out of
her head ; I did not return. until after the doctor came,
and she had been removed to her own room.
The instrument of death was here produced by the
constable, and was identified by the witness now under
examination. It was an iron bar, which had been used
as a poker, though not finished like one, and was
sharp-pointed.
-The prisoner was asked if he had anything to say in
his defence? and he observed, "I certainly did throw the
weapon, but not designedly—l did it through passion."
The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty of Manslaugh-
% Sentence—" To be imprisoned in jail one year."

Mr. BROUGHAM gave notice of a motion on Wednes-
day, to be brought forward after Easter, " to call on Go-
vernment to urge Spain to the fulfilment oilier Treaty,
by which she obliged herself to indeMnify the losses
sustained by the British merchants, and for which
Commissioners were appointed last year, but which has
not been acted upon."