Star.
London, England, 1830-03-15 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

LANCAST]: MARcrI 12.
MURDER AT LIVERPOOL.
Alexander MiGiblions, aged 31, was indicted for the murder of
Alexander Munro, the keeper of the Royal Institution nt Liver-
pool, on the 21st of November.
Mr. CLERKE stated the facts of the case, and called the follow.
ing witnesses:..
Edward Riley, of Fleet.street, Liverpool, stated, that one evening
in November last he found the deceased lying in the passage lead-
ing to Mr. Glyn's office, with his coat pocket turned inside oat.
Witness and other persons had him conveyed in a cart to the Royal
Institution, where he lived. Witness thought at first that he was
tiPsy.
Dr. Trail! stated that he attended the deceased from the 22d of
November. He had a severe contusion on his face, and complained
of pain in the inside, although there were no external marks of vio-
lence on the body. The witness then proceeded to describe the
state in which the deceased continued until his death. His intellect
was confused, and lie was occasionally delirious, owing to the con.
tusions on his head. Dr. Traill then described the state of the
head and body, as they appeared on a post-mortem examination.
Death was occasioned by a colourless fluid which had effused on the
surface of the brain. The effusion was caused by the inflammation
which arose from external injury.
John APCoon, a police officer, stated, that he apprehended the
prisoner, along with Brown. The prisoner was committed to the
Borough gaol. On the Sunday following he sent for witness, and
said he wanted to tell him about Mr. Alunro's case. He said he
had got the watch from a man named Cunningham, and that he and
this man were standing at the corner of Cooper-street, when Mr.
Munro passed. They followed him up the street until they came
where there were no lamps; they then agreed to go up and knock
him down. He said he struck Munro with his list, and " gave
him the foot." He then stepped on one side. After he had knocked
him down Cunningham took the watch from him ; M•Gibbon then
went up to Mr. Munro, asked him if he was badly hurt, and if he
should take him home. He took him by the arm and led him a
yard or two, and found money in his trousers pocket. Bl‘Gibbon
knocked him down agaiw, and Cunningham took the money out of
his pocket—it was 153. He said Cunningham gave him the watch,
and he was to give him 5!. for it. All that he got above he was to
keep himself. Witness produced this watch, chain, and seal.
By the Judge.—lle did not describe how he had knocked him
down the second time. When he was first examined, the man was
alive.

Some further evidence was adduced, and the Jury found the pd.
goner Guilty.
The Learned Judge then passed sentence of Death upon him.
TRIAL OF MR. THOMAS BURNE.
Thomas Moms, aged 32, was indicted for the wilful murder of
Thomas Foster, et Manchester. The Jury in the last case having
applied for their discharge, on the ground of knowing the prisoner,
a fresh period was sworn.
Mr. STARK= stated the facts of the case, and called
Thomas Reid, a wheelwright at Manchester. 1 was at the fair
in Manchester, on the evening of the 17th Nov. Smith, an acquain-
tance, and Gray were with me.' 1 never saw the prisoner before that
night. I saw him in Blackfriars.street. Harrison was with him;
and was going down the street with something under his arm.
He was coming from Hume. Some one said that man has a hole
in his coat. Burns came up and asked what we had to do with it.
We all said we we had nothing to do with it. lie said he would
put a sovereign to a shilling he had not a hole in his coat. Smith
said he must have a hole in his coat, or he could not get it on.
He pulled a pistol out of his pocket. Harrison came back, and
prisoner said, have you a hole in your coat ? He said no, he
had not. Smith said he must have, or he could not get it on.
The prisoner pulled a pistol out, and struck Smith. Anthony
Gray said it was not a right thing to strike a man with a
pistol in the public street. The prisoner struck Gray with
the pistol. He said he had a r%ht, and would alley us the contents
if we spoke another
_word. Mae were three of us there, Smith,
Gray, and another. Harrison and 'Foster were there. Harrison
wanted Burne to go away. Ido not know what he said. Harrison
got hold of him by the arm, and left loose of him, and in about half
a minute he fired the pistol. I saw Thomas Foster fall dorm; he
was about my age, 20 or 21, he was standing in the Street, and we
were all standing on the Sags. There had not been any words be.
tween prisoner and Foster. No blows between any of them. He
was about two and a half yards from Foster.
By Mr. Conan:NAT—Foster stood on the pavement. There
was a show, such as are usual at fairs. Harrison was standing on
a level with him ; he took the pistol out of his coat pocket ; he
stuck to the stock, and struck as a man would with a stick ; 'did
not hear prisoner say, " you scoundrel, if you strike me again I'll
shoot you." Harrison was on the left hand side, and saw as well
ume ; I was quite sober ; the prisoner appeared to be quite so-
ber ; Harrison took hold of his arm ; I believe he locked his arm
for the purpose of drawing him away ; it was half a minute after
that the pistol was discharged.
Samuel Smith.wl was with the last witness; coming up the
street I saw the prisoner and Harrison ; some one said that man,
meaning Harrison, has got a hole in his coat ; Harrison left the
prisoner and a woman standing; he left her, came to us, and said,
" What have you to do with it ?" For our parts we said we had
nothing to do with them; Burne said he would lay a sovereign he
had net got a hole in his coat; Harrison said he had not that be
knew of ; and I said he must have one or be could not get it on;
Burns pulled out a pistol and struck me with it on the breast;
asked him if he was allowed to carry those things, and strike people
in the street ; he said he would give us the contents of it. I said
I hope not; Harrison endeavoured to prevail on him to go away,
and retired *few yards. Gray then said such a man ought to be
placed in the hands of an officer. The pistol went off and just
grazed my cheek ' • I saw Foster drop; I am sure he gave him no
insult ; I was alarmed; a gentleman came to me and said you are
wounded. I should have been afraid to stand before him with a
pistol in his hand.
James Boardman.-1 saw prisoner near the toll bar linked with
two men ; they were arm in arm ; 1 took him by the right breast,
and Ws we were going across the way he squeezed my right hand,
and said he would give me 101. to let him go ; I said very well,
give me the pistol ; he did so, I put it in my pocket and gave it af-
terwards to Robert Heslop.
Stephen Lavender—l have known Burns many years •he was in
business in Manchester, and afterwards a silk agent. I " Good
Gon, Mr. Burne, I hope it is not true you have shot a man; he
said he bad, and was very sorry ; he appeared to me to be much
distreued, but did not seem to be drunk.
Mr. Boutfiower, the surgeon, went on the 19th of November to
the Crown Inn, where I found the deceased lying upon a table;
there was a wound upon the left temple; he died in about twenty
minutes.
• A written defence was put in by the prisoner, which was read
precisely as follows :
"My Lord, and Gentlemen of the Jury,—l have prepared a
few observations upon the evidence given on the inquest, as I
understand my Counsel arc not permitted to address you upon
the subject. It is quite true that I and my friends went to the
fair. It is a place, as some of you may probably know, of
great confusion,- and where all sorts of people assemble ; and
about eleven o'clock, I unfortunately met with three or tour
men, as described by the witnesses, when some of them made
the observation about there being a bole in my friend's coat, which
produced the altercation that had been describeds Gentlemen, the
bode in which it commenced, and the provoking and insulting way
in which it was carried on, gave me reason to believe that it was the
commencement of a riot. I laboured under that ap and
being left alone, I did, 1 own, produce the pistol; t I solemnly
declare it was merely for the purpose of awing and sounlning the
rioters that were now closing upon me, from commencing their
attack; and, with that view, I threatened to fire upon the Stet that
laid hands upon me. I could have no other motive or object
—they were perfect strangers to me and 1 to them—tbefs
therefore, be no malice or enmity between us, and 1 could con-
sider the ridiculous attack upon my friend as nothing but the

watchword for a row, and it is well known that riots and robberies,
in and about Manchester, are now almost to be considered as sy.
nonymous terms' and of a most alarming nature. I considered the
insult or attack upon my friend (which, to persons unacquainted
with Manchester and the numerous street robberies committed there,
would appear ridiculous) as the watchword for an attack. I there-
fore hope and trust that some of you, gentlemen, know how fre-
quently robberies have of late been in Manchester, and how
uniformly these robberies arc begun by thieves getting up a
trifling quarrel and provocation, as a pretext merely to cover
their intentions to rob. If any of you are inhabitants of Man.
cheater, you will also know that the numerous street robberies there
are always begun by a riot and assault. I trust you will see that the
whole complexion of this unhappy case will be altered by the evi-
dence to-day, from what appeared before the Coroner, who did not
call before him all the witnesses who could have girt!), and were
best able to give a true account of all that really did take place ;
these witnesses will now be called before you. My regret at the un-
fortunate circumstance of my having been the cause of the death of
a fellow.creature, will stay by me for the rest of my days."
Henry Harrison I am a silk-manufacturer, and was acquainted
with the prisoner, having lodged together three years ; prisoner was
a ilk-agent ; they lodged at Greemheys, Moss-side. I had to call on
Mr. Burne, at six o'clock ; it had been arranged we should go home
together; it was on account of the road ; we were in Blackfriars-street ;
Mr. B. had occasion to atop ; I went forward; I had a white pocket.
handkerchief in my breast r the prisoner and sonic men were in a kind
of a row, and Mr. Burne had a pistol in his hand; he said if they
struck him again he would shoot them ; I put my left arm into his
right arm, in which was the pistol; I turned it round, and bid
him come away; he threw his arm out, and it had the effect of
raising his arm ; at that instant the pistol went off.
By Mr. STARKIE—It is not true as stated by the other witness;
I did, not see them offer any violence; they laughed at Hume in
an insulting manner; I did not hear them use any expressions; I
went up to him ; they ran on the pavement; Blanc was on the
flags ;
,they were all on the flags.
Cross-examined—These people were standing round him ; the
were in a line • Reid was next, (hay on the left side, and Smith
the next. Witness described that he drew his arms with a rapid
motion out of that of the witness.

Mr. Wm. Bradley, Mr. James Bremner, Mr. James Jacques,
Mr. Peter Watson, Mr. Thomas Callender, and Mr. James Wil-
liams, were then called, and stated that they had known the prisoner
a great number of years, and that he was a peaceable, inoffensive,
and humane man. _ _ _ _

At five o'clock his Lordship summed up the evidence; and after
reading his notes, his Lordship said, it would be a question for the
Jury's consideration, whether the act were committed with cool de.
liberation, or under a mistaken notion of violence, or if the latter
would amount to murder. The verdict of the Jury must be either
murder or manslaughter, or an acquittal. Ilis Lordship alluded to
the defence, which he said was exceedingly well drawn up, and the
prisoner should have the benefit of it.
The Jury, after some consideration, found the prisoner Not
Guilty of either murder or manslaughter.
His Lordship said—" I am glad of it. I return you the paner
you have put in, and I hope you will read it every day of your lite."
Application was then made for the discharge of the prisoner,
which was immediately acceded to by the Court ; and Mr. flume
was accordingly forthwith discharged.
- Ar
EXTENSIVE FIRE AT ROTHERHITHE.

The neighbourhood of Rotherhithe was on Saturday
night thrown into the greatest alarm, in consequence of
a fire breaking out in the premises of Mr. Moore, the
builder. Mr. Moore, who is a contractor for the works
now in progress at the New London-bridge, and at the
St. Kntherine's Docks, has a very extensive yard, about
100 feet deep, and workshops, leading from Rotherhithe-
street to the waterside. In one of the sheds, which con-

tamed a large quantity of unslaked lime, the fire first made
its appearance, and in a very short time the flames ex-
tended to the whole of the buildings in the yard, and to
a quantity of deal and oak timber. Throc, bounce' which
had boon erected by Mr. Moore, at the end of his wharf,
in front of Rotherhithe-street, next took fire, and were in
a very short time levelled with the ground. They were
inhabited by people in Mr. Moore's employ, and they have
lost nearly the whole they possessed. The engines by this
time had arrived in great numbers, but they were completely
at a stand still for want of water. The tide was very low,
and the only supply that could be obtained was from a few
shallow ponds and ditches. The next premises that took
fire were those belonging to two boat-builders, named
Absey and Bristow. The flames then communicated to
the house of a Mr. Spence ; then to the premises of
Mr. Shutt, a painter and glazier; and afterwards to the
house of Mr. Williams, an oil and colourman, the whole
of which were entirely consumed. The houses of Mr.
Smith, a carpenter, and of a widow, named Burr, were
also partly destroyed. A man named Thompson, who
had a few boats and small craft lying close to Mr. Moore's
wharf, has also sustained a very severe loss, the whole of
his stock having been entirely consumed. Mr. Moore's
yard was well stocked with high piles of timber, the
whole of which was on fire almost at the same time, and
was speedily reduced to ashes.
Mr. Moore, wo are informed,• is not insured; but the
loss will be felt more severely by the persons who inha-
bited the other premises which are destroyed, and who,
we believe, were unable to save any portion of their
property. There is no doubt that the progress of the
flames could have been stopped, if a supply of water had
been obtained. The engines were promptly on the spot,
but the conductors of them were obliged to stand by and
witness the conflagration. The only machine that could
be brought into use was the floating engine belonging to
the Sun Office, and that was of little service, in conse-
quence of the lowness of the tide.
At ten o'clock at night the fire had been prevented ex-
tending to other houses, but the materials on Mr. Moore's
premises were still burning.
On Monday Mr. J. S. Bennett, of Appleby, near
Brigg, Lincolnshire, met his death under the following
circumstances :—Having two clergymen visiting at his
house, they proceeded to view the parish church, which
lately had undergone some repairs, and when they reached
the steeple, Mr. Bennett, being formerly a seaman, anxi-
ous to show his dexterity in scaling, mounted the para-
pet, and climbed the pinnacle. When he reached the
top he gave a shout to those below, and in an instant the
stone broke, and the unfortunate gentleman was precipi-
tated to the bottom, and killed upon the spot.
height of the steeple is upwards of 100 feet. He has
left a wife and four children.
An extensive scheme of fraud has recently been prac-
tised at the west end of the town, with considerable
success, by a fellow assuming the dress and manners
of a country gentleman of fortune. It appears that on
Saturday last he entered the shop of Messrs. Perrigal
and Duffrin, jewellers, in New Bond-street, and selected
a watch exhibited in the window for the sum of eight
guineas, at the same time requesting them to send it to
his apartments in South-street, Park-lane. He pro-
fessed to pay ready money for the article, and produced
a blank check book, of the firm of Messrs. Bosanquet
and Co. of 73, Lombard-street, out of which he tore
a check, and then filled it up for 101. receiving, of
course, the difference. On Messrs. Duifrin's messenger
reaching South-street with the watch, he found 'that the
fellow really lodged at the address he had furnished his
employers with, and accordingly left the watch. The
fellow immediately afterwards came home, and having
'obtained •the- watch, decamped forthwith. On Monday
morning the check was presented et Bosanquet's, when it
was ascertained that the swindler was not known there;
and it was stated that no fewer than fifty ten-pealed
' checks, drawls by the same person, had been dishonoured
Within the last month by the firm. The fellow had pre-
viously occupied apartments in North Audley-street, in
the neighbourbOod of which he had defrauded' jewellers
under precisely similar circumstances. He invariably
committed the frauds on Saturday evenings, after the
banks were closed ; and on taking apartments he hires
them for a week, paying in advance.—Observer.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

GUI- LI L .

Catherine Alurpky was charged with stealing a tabby tont cat.
Sarah Teat deposed that about half put nine o'clock the pre-
ceding night, the prisoner came up Smith's-court, Beckley-street,
where witness resides, and being frequently troubled with " such
rubbish," she watched her. The prisoner put something into the
corner of a public dust binn in the court, and as soon as she was
gone, witness ran, and found the prisoner had secreted there eleven
cat's skins, which were all quite warm and fresh. Ten of the cats
must have been very large and handsome, but the eleventh in poor
condition. Witness ran and overtook her in Brackley-street, and
said, you dirty hussy, come back and fetch theft skins away; and
the neighbouts inquiring what was the matter, and hearing what
she had done, began to crowd about her and abuse her. At this
moment the watchmen came up and took charge of the prisoner.
Simper and another watchman deposed that when they stopped
the prisoner, she let something fall upon the pavement, and looking
down they saw a poor cat, half strangled, struggling and twirling
about in agony.
The mistress of this cat, which was in a fair way to recover.
had brought it for his worship's inspection, but Mr. Beresford, the
clerk, said there was no occasion to go further, as it was no offence
to steal a cat.

Horton, one of the Cripplegate officers, deplored the defectiveness
of the law ; for, said he, many a time have I turned up a court in
the evening or morning, and found poor animals with their jackets
off, and yet alive and kicking about.
Mr. Alderman WINCHESTER said such sights certainly were
revolting.
Horton added, that she at first denied the charge, but htr hands
and apron were all over blood. Some of the cats she had killed this
night were the greatest beauties he had ever beheld. The fat was
half an inch deep on the skin of one of them. The prisoner had a
sort of bag, containing half a pound of liver, slung across her
shoulders.

Alderman Winchester asked what she had to say to the charge
Prisoner replied she had nothing to say then; she would leave it to
his Honour.

The Alderman, after consulting his legal advisers, dismissed the
prisoner, with a warning that if she was caught committing a nui-
sance of the sort described by Ilorton, she would be punished by
fine or imprisonment.
She curtsied, and promised to shift her scene of operations from
the City.

80W44 T RE ET.

TUE Wire 0? THE WiDow,—Martha Ann Mary Wood_
gale, a lady dressed in the first style of fashion, was charged with
obtaining 4001. by false pretences, from a wine merchant. Mr.
Alley attended as counsel for the prosecution, and Mr. Adolphus
for the prisoner. The facts of this case appeared in this paper on
the 15th of February, in an account of the prosecutor's application
for a warrant, when he stated that he had been induced to lend the
prisoner 4001. upon the faith of her representation that she was a
widow, but was afterwards arrested by her husband for money due
for board and lodging. The prosecutor, now being cross-examined
by Mr. Adolphus, admitted that at the time the prisoner paid him
the hills of exchange, he had only advanced her LW. Mr. Halls,
upon this, said there was an end of the case, and advised the prose-
tutor to seek his remedy by an action at law.