Star.
London, England, 1827-12-08 00:00:00

NEW COURT.

William Thompson was indicted for stealing 201bs. of
opium, the property of the London Dock Company.—
Verdict, bulky.
Wiens Williams was indicted for stealing, in con-
junction with another boy, a silk handkerchief, the pro-
perty of a Gentleman whose name was unknown.
William Whittingham deposed to the fact of taking
the prisoner into custody, having seen him and the other
boy commit the robbery.

_ .
Cross•examined by Mr. C. PHILLIPS- Had formerly
preferred an indictment against the prisoner for these=
offence. The Gentleman who was robbed gave his
name at the watchbouse, Thomas Clark.
Mr. PHILLIPS now submitted that the indictment
must fail, because it stated that the property was that
of a person whose name was unknown, whereas it ap-
pawed that the property belonged to a Mr. Thos. Clark.
,Mr. Sergeant Aanstu thought there was nothing in
the point.
Mr. C. Prttburs said, that surely no twelve Gentle-
men could be asked to swear that the prisoner had
itblen the ptoperty of a person unknown, when at the'
swim time the person was perfectly well known.
Mr.• Sergeant AaABIN—I bare given my opinion that
there is nothing in the point.
Mr. C. PHILLIPS—Yes, add I have my opinion also,
and, as Counsel for the prisoner, I feel bound to urge it.
Mr. Phillips then proceeded to cross-examine the witness
at great length, in order to thew that his testimony was
unworthy of credit, inasmuch as that he had sworn to
•certain matters which be said be could prove not to
be true.

Mr. Sergeant Attests objected to such a mode of
proceeding as irregular. The witness had sworn that
he had not said that his motive for preferring the present
indictment was because of the treatment he had received
from Counsel at the last trial.

Mr. PHILLIPS called a witness to prove that he had
said so; but Mr. Sergeant Arabin would not permit the
question to be pn,. Other portions of similar testimony
Mr. Sergeant Arabin also refused to receive.
A number of witnesses gave the prisoner an excellent
character for honesty and industry for s • 1 years past.
Mr. Sergeant ARASIN said, that the Jury must be
satisfied that tl e prosecutor had perjured himself, before
they could acquit the prisoner.
1 he Jory having consulted for some minutes in the
bore the Foreman turned round and asked what interest
the witnesses for the; rosecation had in either the acquittal
co-conviction of the prisoner ?
Mr. Sergeant AIRAISIN—None whatever.
The Foreman then returned a verdict of Guilty ; but
one of the Juty objeletiogi they again retired, and in a
few minutes returned a verdict of
Mr. Sergeant ARAMS then said, that he approved of
the verdict; and having tried the former cm; be knew

of it than the Jury, alit be had seen ally
g in it, be weld not Ilan allowed the Om

sh

hi, •expeistes.
Mr. C. Penises (with
mend that the prosecutor be indicted for perjury, on
evidence which could have been adds:teed against
N permitted ; and, as a Gentleman, I pledge my beemsr,
that on the former trial the..tory stood op in the boa,.
and 'cleated that theprotectstor might net be *Oared
his expenses ; and several Learned Gentlemen near as
can bear witness to the fact.
_

Mr. Sergeant ARAIIIN—WeII, that only proves how
strong any feeling was upon the subject.
Mr. C PHILLIPS —Oh 1 there can be no doubt bat shay
your feeling in the case has been my strong. Yoe have
proved, sir, the strength of your feeling inebe case.
Mr. Sergeant ARABIN—I don't know whether you
mean that as a compliment, or whether as a piece of wino
Mr. PHILLIPS—OhI I am not in Ilse habit of prying,
compliments; and as to wit, I leave that to others in'
this C..urt.

Mr. Sergeant Attalla—Welt Si,i thew obset !ration'
are improper, and I request the converbatton may be
pot a stop to.
Mr. C. PHILLIPS—When a doubt wens to be ea
pressed about a matter which is the coarse of the trial
I have awaited, I think it my duty to re-assert it. as I new
do, with double force. If thew doubts were expressed out;
of doors, I should know how to treat them ; bat as it is—

Mr. Sergeant At iatit--Then I say the consenarion
Slut be pot a stop to.
Mr. C. Patturs—lle it so; but still I wish it to be
distinctly understood, that the Jury requested the Court
upon that occasion not to allow the prosecutor his es-
penses.—Mr. PHILLIPS then sat down.
Mr. Sergeant !RABIN said, that as the prisoner WAS:
known to thePoliceomd h a d pre vi onsly borne a good cha-
racter, his punishment should be comparatively lenient.
The Foreman of the Jury—My Lord, we hope so.