The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-03-30 00:00:00

ILLEGAL POSSESSION OP DIRS.

Patrick Rigby, aged 34 was placed at the bar under an indict-
' ment, in which he was charged with having had in his posses-
sion a certain instrument, tool and engine, for coiniug penny
pieces.—[The Attorney-General and Mr. Armstrong for the
prosecution, and Mr. Cross for the defence.]
Henry Biggins, die-maker, Sheffield, stated that on the 6th
Nov. last the prisoner called upon him, and producing a piece
of steel of the size of a penny piece, requested him to cut on it
a head and face of King William, similar to that which was on
pennies. He was to do only the head side of it, and it was to he
sent by coach. The prisoner said he wanted it to stamp snuff-
box lids with. It was finished on the 12th Nov. It was to be
addressed, John Smith, Shade Hill. Manchester. Witness di-
rected the coachman of the Umpire coach, by whom it was
sent, not to part with it without the money. On the Monday
following, Berwick came to him and got the penny piece from
him which the prisoner had left as a pattern.
William Settle, a coachman, who, in Nov. last drove the
Umpire, stated that he had delivered the parcel to a person
whom he knew by the name of Smith. The person was the
prisoner. He had not at first money to pay for the parcel, and
he (witness) would not deliver it up. He called two or three
times. It appears that the Witness and his wife had some sus-
picions of the prisoner, for they opened the parcel, and on see-
ing what it contained, they went and informed the officers of
police. Next day the prisoner gave the money to the coach-
man and got the parcel.
Berwick and other officers were immediately directed to in-
vestigate the matter, with a view to the discovery of the parties
concerned. The result was, that dies for making pennies—
sixty plain copper pieces of the size of a penny piece each, a
ladle for melting metal, and a variety of other articles, were
found on the premises.
Mr. Ceoss addressed the jury for the defence, and said he
should be able to prove that a man named John Smith, who
lodged with the prisoner, was the real delinquent.
A man named Gocarty, a plasterer, who had come from Ire-
land for the purpose of giving testimony in favour of the prisoner,
swore that John Smith had lodged with the prisoner, and that
the dies and other matters produced were his property.
The jury returned a %erdict of Guilty.
The learned counsel for the prisoner handed up two certifi-
cates of character, one from the Dean of Cashel, bearing his
seal, and another from a magistrate of the county where the
prisoner was born.
Ilis lordship sentenced the prisoner to seven years' trans"
portation.

NISI PRIUS COURT.—WEDNESDAY.
(Before al, Justice Coleridge.)

At the opening of the court this morning, the following spe
cial jury causes were fixed to be taken on the following days :
No. 2, Orrell v. Greenhough and others, and Greenhough v.
Urrell and others, onMonday, April 2d; No. 44, Houlden v.
Daniel, and No. 50, Lawrence and another, assignees, v.
Knowles, on Tuesday. April 3d ; and No. 102, Butterworth
and another v. Cotesworth, on Wednesday, April 4th.

HIBBERT AND OTHERS V. THE MERSEY AND IRWELL
NAVIGATION COMPANY.
_

The plaintiffs in this case, who were the proprietors of a steam
boat named the Egremont, plying across the Mersey from the
ferry of that name to Liverpool, brought this action to recover
from the defendants, the Mersey and Irwell Navigation Com-
pany, damages for injury sustained by the Egremont, in con-
sequence of the defendants' stew in-tioat Hercules having run
into her on the evening of the 22d of January last, when within
forty yards of the quay at Liverpool, and abo .t 150 yards off
her place of destination. The cause occupied all day, and was
very uninteresting.
The Egremont was crossing over the river from Egremont,
and coming up the side of the Princess Pier at a slackened
speed, when according to the plaintiffs' case the Hercules was
coming down the tide to tow up a flat, and turned in at right
angles towards the pier wall to get out of the tide, when the
collision took place. The defendants contending that the in-
jury resulted from the Egremont steering out into the river in
a position which would have enabled the Hercules to pass her,
and then suddenly altering her course to a straight line with
the pier, thus cutting her course, and that owing to that the in-
jury took place, and then the Egremont swung round against
the pier, and received the damage from that. The amount of
damages was agreed between the parties to depend on the ver-
dict of the jury. •
The jury found for the plaintiff.
The court adjourned at six o'clock.

CROWN COURT—THURSDAY.
Before Sir John Patteson.
His Lordship took his seat at a quarter past nine o'clock.
MURDER.

William Hill, aged 27, was placed at the bar under an indict-
ment, in which he was charged with having, at Warrington, on
the Bth of December last, wilfully murdered one Betty Minshull
of that place.
The case for the prosecution was conducted by Dr. Brown
and Mr. Boileau, and Mr. Brandt, with whom was Mr. Holton,
defended the prisoner.
The prisoner is a delicate and (though not handsome) a rather
interesting looking young man, of light complexion. On the
usual question being put to him, the prisoner said, in a melan-
choly tone, " Not guilty."
Dr. Brown stated the case briefly, remarking upon the nature
of the crime. The evidence was principally of a circumstantial
nature; and as the gentlemen of the jury had, no doubt, heard
much of the case, he implored them to dismiss from their minds
all statements of whatever nature by which they might have
been impressed, and to look upon the evidence which would be
brought before them as if they had never before heard of it. Dr.
Brown then entered into a narrative of the various circum-
stances which it was intended to prove by the testimony of the
witnesses. In conclusion, the learned counsel again implored
the jury to dismiss from their minds all statements which they
might have heard out of doors, and to judge upon the facts that
would be brought before them.
A large and well executed model of the house (the Leigh
Arms) where the unfortunate deceased lived, with the adjacent
buildings to a considerable extent, was exhibited in court, and
Dr. Brown, as he detailed the circumstances of the case, traced
the movements of the parties so far as they would come out in
evidence, and the particular places to be alluded to therein.
As the witnesses proceeded with their evidence, the course of
actions and events were also illustrated by reference to this
model.

James Jones was called and sworn. He stated, that he had
examined the premises, (the Leigh Arms, &c.) and measured
them and compared them with the model. It was a correct
model. The distance from the back back premises of Mrs.
Thomas' house to the privy on the model was 28 yards. The
distance from the back door of the Leigh Arms to Longshaw's
house was 104 yards.
Mr. BRANDT cross-examined the witness—That model corre-
sponded with the premises in all respects, excepting that the
lower part was on a slightly smaller scale than the tipper part.
Mary Pritchard sworn. On 7th Dec. last was servant to Mr.
Higginson. He kept the Leigh Arms at Warrington. His
housekeeper was Betty Minshull. She was his daughter, and
had kept his house about a year and a half. The 7th Dec. was
on a Thursday ; it was one of the nights of the second week of
Warrington fair. There were six or seven persons drinking
there that night. Knew William Hill, the prisoner at the bar.
lie was there that night. Thursday night was the night on
which the Weavers' club was held, and he belonged to it.
They came in about eight o'clock. Mrs. Minshull treated them
to half a gallon of ale, and her master treated them with some
also. Her master went to bed at II o'clock. The prisoner had
sung some songs. Mrs. Minshull and witness waited upon them
in the tap room. She was there during the singing. Witness
went to bed at 12, by her mistress's orders. She said, " Molly,
you had better go to bed, you will be tired. At that time there
had not been any quarrelling among the party—they were all
very comfortable. She fell asleep, and did not wake till five
o'clock in the morning. There was a man named Nicholas
Murphy and a soldier sleeping in the house. Besides the master
and herself, there was nobody else slept in the house. Mrs.
Minshull usually slept with her (witness.) Heard the watch-
man at five o'clock, and was surprised that Mrs. Minshull was
not in bed. Searched the house but could not find her. Went
down into the kitchen, and the back door was open. There
were two doors into the yard, the kitchen and lobby door. The
kitchen door was open. Took a candle and went out to look
for her. Witness found her in the petty. She was laid
straight on the floor on her back, with her head in one corner
and her feet turned, the door touching it. Her petticoats were
up to her knees, and witness pulled them down. She was dead.
Witness found her bunch of keys lying beside her, and a can-
dlestick, and the lock and key of the gate. The keys were
those of the drawers of the house which she generally kept in
her pocket. The lock and key were the lock and key of the
bottom gate of the yard. It was a huge lock which they put on
the inside of the gate. The door of the privy was inside that
gate. Witness did not know that the gate had been locked on
that particular night or not, but her master usually locked it
before dusk. The candlestick had not a bit of candle in it, but
the candlestick was raised ❑p to the top as high as it would go,
but does not think there was any snuff on it. Called for assist-
ance to take the body into the house. Did not examine her
pockets. Stroked her arms down. Nicholas Murphy and the
soldier carried her body into the house. Witness. went with
them to the privy and helped them as well as she could. Can't
say whether her pockets were examined after she went into the
house. Sometimes she carried a snuff-box in her pocket, and
sometimes it was in the bar. Witness knew the box, hut could
not say whether she seen it in the bar that night. Deceased
had a -bone-hafted knife, which she carried generally in her
pocket; She often had it out to cut lemons in the bar. She
generally put silver which she took her pocket. Witness
dues not know whether she had taken any money or not. Wit-

ness searchel tit the snufr-box but could not find it. Does not
remember that she searched for the knife; might have done so.

Cross-examined by Mr. BaAN nT.—liad lived two years in
the house. Mrs. Minshull was a lusty woman. She had faint-
ing tits. She was subject to them when she was put out of the
way. She had a husband, and he lived at Manchester. He
generally came over to see her once a fortnight, and had been
over that week. Witness, when she found her, was so put
about that she did nut know what to think. The stays of the
deceased were new, and one of the bones was a little forced up
on one side. She was a short-necked woman. There were
more men than six or seven at first, but at least about that
number. When the others went away the remainder adjourned
from their first room to the tap-room. It was half a gallon of
ale that Mrs. Minshull treated them to, and her master treated
them to aquart. They were not willing to go then, and wit-
ness drew them another half gallon before she went to bed. The
party was very merry, and Mrs. Minshull was there when the
prisoner was singing. She seemed pleased with his singing. It
was about twelve o'clock when she (witness) went to bed.
When she found the deceased her head was hanging forward a
little. It was towards her stays.
Re-examined by Dr. Baow N.—The bone of her stays came
out a little. She had two bones, one at each side, down the
front. She laced her stays in front. One of the bones was out
a little, sticking to one side.
Thomas Higginson stated that he was the father of Betty
Minshull. He saw the prisoner at the bar at his house on the
Bth of December. He went to bed betwixt 11 and 12 o'clock.
He was in the room with the party some hours. His daughter
had received all the money that was taken in the house that
night. She put it in her pocket regularly. Witness did not
know whether the back gate going into the mug market was
fastened on that night or not, but it was usually fastened His
daughter usually went down the yard and fastened it herself
before she weut to b.d and saw all safe. The lock usually hung
on the staple and the kev in the bar. Witness went to sleep
soon after he went to bed, and his servant awoke him in the
morning. After the body was brought into the house, the
servant felt in her pockets but found nothing. Did not see this
done. Can not speak to whether there was any money in the
till. Did not examine it.

Cross-examined by Mr. BitANDT.—His daughter usually gave
him what silver she had, or otherwise put it into a box in his
bed room. The copper was put into the drawer. The party
was merry when he went to bed. His daughter had fainting
fits at intervals. When he saw his daughter at the first onset
he then thought it was a fit, and be did say that he objected to
the coroner sitting. To the constable he said he objected to
a post mortem. He did not to the constable object to the coro-
ner's inquest, but to a post mortem. His memory, he said, had
been so perplexed, that he could not definitely recollect.
By Dr. BROWN.—By post mortem he meant the body being
opened. His daughter was born the 28th of July, 1785.
Nicholas Murphy called and sworn. On the 7th Dec. last
was lodging at Higginson's house and went to bed at half•past
ten. Left the deceased, Thomas Higginson, and Mary Pritchard
up. There were people drinking there at that time. Betty
Minshuil appeared very pleasant then. Witness was called up
next morning at ten minutes to six o'clock by Mary Pritchard.
\Vent to the privy, found the body lying on her back with the
head against the wall. Assisted to get her in.
Cross-examined by Mr. HuuroN.—H ad lodged there six
months, and had known Betty Miushull two months before he
went there. Had seen her twice in fits, they were sickly faint-
ing fits, they were not violent fits; there was assistance at hand
to support her on those occasions, if she had not been supported'
she would have fallen.

Dr. BROWN.—She came to of herself after a little time.

William Dunsmore, a private in the 69th regiment, lodged in
the Leigh Arms. Went to the privy when called, and found
the deceased on her back with her head against the wall. Exa-
mined the outer gate and found that it was open.

Ralph Kerfoot was at the Leigh Arms on the 7th December.
Was there about nine o'clock, the prisoner was there with se-
veral others ; Eliza Holbrook, John Yates, James Savory, and
Peter Gleave were there also. The deceased was there also.
When he first went there she was not in the same_ place as they
were, but she came in afterwards and sat beside William Hill,
she was there above an hour. There was a quarrel between
Joseph Yates and Edward Cox between twelve and one o'clock,
no others were engaged in the quarrel. All was settled for be-
fore the quarrel. The quarrel lasted about two or three minutes,
and they then rushed out of the house, they went out of their
own accord. Peter Gleave, witness, James Ogle, John Boad-
man, Joseph Yates, and John Yates were the persons who
went out, did not see the prisoner go out. Saw him at the time
of the quarrel. He did not take any part in it; did not notice
when the party went out whether the door was shut. Joseph
Yates and Edward Cox continued the quarrel and fought, this
was between George Gerard's house and Higginsonts, in the
Corn Market; remained in the Corn Market half an hour; the
fight did not continue all that time.
Cross-examined by Mr. BRANDT.—The quarrel was a fight.
Did not see Hill come out, but does not say he did not come
oot. The others looked on while the fight went on. There
were nine in the house, including the prisoner and Betty Min-
shull. Betty Minshull, was sitting near to Hill about an hour.
The quarrel in the house came to blows betwixt the two. It
made some confusion. No one insisted upon them going out.
Betty Minshull did not desire them to go out. They were not
ordered out by any body.
James Holbrook called and sworn. Was a weaver at War-
rington, and worked in the same factory as Hill. Was at the
Leigh Arms on Thursday, the 7th December. Hill was there,
and he sung. The •party was pleasant and comfortable till a
quarter past twelve. Was near the prisoner. Before anything
unpleasant arose, witness was at one side of the tap-room and
he was at the other. The prisoner came across to him. Betty
Minshull had gone to draw some ale. lie said something which
intimated (coarsely) that he would have connexion with the
deceased before he went home. Edward Cox and Joseph Yates
qua'rrelled soon after. There was a bit of a scuffle, and Betty
Minshull said they had better go out, for she did not like to
have any disturbance in the house. The prisoner did not take
any part in that disturbance. When they went out the prisoner
did not go with them. He went to the door with them, and
went back. Mrs. Minshull came to the door too, and it was
dosed after them. Can't say who closed it. Heard the door
fastened inside by some one. Stayed a few minutes in the Corn
Market, and then went home. Saw the prisoner at a quarter
past six in the morning. He came to his work. Observed that
his face was marked like four fingers on his left cheek. Meant
like four finger nails. Did not say any thing to him on the
subject. Never had any conversation with him about those
marks. (Dr, Brown pressed the prisoner upon his oath.) Did
not either then or at any other time speak about those marks.
He (the prisoner) did not say anything to him respecting what
had happened after he left. He said he stayed about twenty
minutes after they left. He did not say anything further. Wit-
ness was sure that was all he said.
Cross-examined by Mr. BRAN DT.—They were treated to two
quarts of ale. They had no more. Cannot tell whether there
was half a gallon of beer brought in by the old woman. Be-
lieved there was. There was some singing. They all sung.
Hill sung. Mrs. Minshull seemed to be pleased. She sat
there, and laughed and joked, and was very pleasant, but she
never took any liquor. She sat on one side of the table and
Hill.on the other. She sat for about ten minutes by the side
of Hill. When the scuffle began Betty Minshull ordered them
out. All the party must have heard her, and they all went out.
Witness saw the prisoner and Betty Minshull near the door.
It was closed, he believed, by Betty Minshull. She was near
the door. Heard the bolts shooting and the door fastened after
it was closed.

Re-examined by Dr. Bitowri.—The deceased sat in two or
three places during the evening.
John Boardman (sworn.)—Was at Higginson's on the night
of Dec. 7th. A disturbance took place about twelve or soon
after. John and Joseph Yates and Edmund Cox took part in
it. They all went out except the prisoner. They heard the
door shut.
Eliza Holbrook (sworn.)—Worked at the Cockhedge
factory. Is sister to James Holbrook. Was at the Leigh
Arms on Thnrsday, the 7th Decemher. Left at nine o'clock.
Saw the prisoner at six o clock next morning, when he came to
his work. Noticed that his face was scratched. Did not say
any thing to him about it. Went to her dinner, and heard
while she was out what had happened to Betty, Minshull. When
she came hack saw Hill. Said to him " Why that woman's
dead." He replied, " Aye, by God is she !" Witness said
" What time did you leave there last, night He said he did
not know, there was a row among them, and he helped her to
get them away. He went in with her, and she and him drank
what drink was left, and he stopped a quarter of an hour. She
asked " What hast' gotten thy face scrat' with?" His cheek
was scrat' on the right side.
Cross-examined by Mr. BRANDT.—She asked him not what
time he left, but what time he got home. He said that the ale
which they got was what was left in the jug. Heard of the
death of the woman when she went to dinner. It was not much
talked of through the town. Witness heard it from a young
woman who had nothing to do with Higginson. Saw the pri-
soner when he came to his work in the morning at six o'clock.
That was the usual hour of commencing work.
Re-examined by Dr. BROWN.—The witness being asked to
show which side of the face the scratches were on put her hand
to the left side of her face. She persisted, however, that the
scratches were on the right side.
_

—Alice-Thomas (sworn.)—Kept the Three Crowns public-
house. On Friday, the Bth of December, was up at near one
o'clock. Went into the front room up stairs on the second
floor. Heard a fight in the front, a little higher up than her
house, near Mr. Higginson's house. Went into her own bed-
room, opposite to the room into which she first went. When
there she heard the screams of a female, which seemed to pro-
ceed from the back part of Mr. Higginson's house. They con-
tinued some time loud, and ceased suddenly. Witness did not
go out. Before the screams ceased they became fainter and
fainter. They faltered rather at the last. Witness closed the
window and went to bed. There is a thoroughfare from her
house down to the market. It was closed at night. Could not
say whether it was fast that night. There was a thoroughfare
also from Higginson's into that market. That was the only
one except hers. Witness opened the window at the back of
the house and called out. _ .

—lsaac Bellass (sworn.)—Was a plaisterer at Warrington.
On the 7th December last lodged at the house of Mr. Lang-
shaw, in Riding-street, at the bottom of the snug market.
Knew the back door from the Leigh Arms, opening into the
mug market. Langshaw's house was opposite to that. Wit-
ness went home on Thursday night. the 7th December, or
Friday morning, about half-past one. Could not et first get
in. Stood at the dOor about five minutes. Saw the prisoner
at the bar, whom he had known for about three years
First saw him coming down the Leigh Arms yard. Has been
in that yard. First saw him about twenty yards (t
up the yas..
Is sure he saw him in the yard. He came right down into
Riding-street. Witness was standing at the front door of the
spoke to him
Was
did not answer.
certainhouse. irlt'wheasprHis(i)iiii.er
The
emme
otoony,shirenree hveerwya.bsriszsthatfilldz4o.
He (the
of ee s
prisoner
Vote nr e S
and said,
cameßi withinl
Cockhedge, and
He was going hurriedly. He was within. a yard of witness when
is that a
thaered
witness spoke to him. He (the prisoner). went down Ridink,r-
street into the Horse•market. Witness knew
the house where Richard Lyon, the manager lives. The pri-
soner was going towards that house. The distance to Lyon's
house would be five or six hundred yards,
Cross-examined by Mr. H ur.Torst.—Was not examined before
the coroner. Was firs!, examined about this on the Monday
following the day. of this occurrence. Was examined by Mr.
Worrall, Mr Wagstaff 'sclerk. Is not certain when the inquest.
ras held. He was examined at Wagstaff's office. and what he
said was taken down, but be was not before the 'coroner He
wrote his name to the examination. Did not write his.narne
more than once.
By W. BeowN.Knew that it was the morning of Friday
the Bth, when he saw him, because he had been at the circus on
the night of Thursday. Heard of the death of Betty Minshull,
on Friday night. Is sure it was on that morning that he saw
him.
By the JUDGE,—Is still certain that he was examined by Mr.
Wagstaff's clerk, three days afterwards.
Richard Lyon (sworn) stated, that he was overlooker at the
Cockhedge factory. The prisoner came to his house at an early
hour on the morning of the 7th of Deeembei. It was Friday.
Witness lived at. Stonny-lane, near Warrington. Knows the
Leigh Arms. His house is better than a quarter of a mile from
thence. 'I he prisoner at that time lived on Cockhedge—nearer
to the works, than his ( witness's,) house. It was a few minutes
before three o'clock, that the prisoner called at his house.—
Witness was in bed, but hearing a•person knocking; he'got up,
and went to the window. William Hill, the prisoner at the bar,
was standing under the window, and he asked him to come in.,

MARCH (it 1838.

Witness went down and let him in. He the prisoner, said he
.-bad been-at the fair, and he had had the best luck be had ever
had in his life. He repeated course words, signifying, that he
had had connexion with a ladlady in that town. He gave wit-
ness a knife with a horn haft, and two blades. He told witness
to keep it for a memorandum. He (the prisoner) wanted to
stop all night, as he feared being too late for his work. Witness
advised him to go home, telling him that he would call him to
his work. Ile went home. Witness called him in the morning,
and he went to his work. The prisoner did not say anything to
him that morning, nor anything more that day. His face was
scratched. On Saturday morning, a knife being frequently
used at their work, he (the prisoner) wanted to borrow a knife,
and witness gave him his own knife back again. Before the
men were paid, the prisoner gave him half a sovereign, and six
shillings in silver. It was some time between breakfast time
and dinner time. A few weeks before, they had made it up to
go to Bolton, at Christmas, and he gave witness that money to
keep for him till Christmas, for fear he should spend it, if he
kept it himself. The prisoner did not appear quite as pleasant
as usual. On Monday morning before breakfast, while he was
at his work—(it bad been talked of at the mill about Betty
Minshull)—the prisoner said that Betty Minshull was the
woman with whom he had had connexion. He said he had bad
connexion with her twice—the second time while she was
asleep. During the conversation he showed witness a snuff box,
which he said he had taken from her. He showed him a knife,
which he Said he had taken from her—and which he had thrown
into the reservoir. The snuff box was numbered 66, in the
inside. it was a ribbed one of the appearance of silver. This
was all the conversation before breakfast. After breakfast.
between nine and ten—the prisoner told him be bad thrown the
snuff box into the reservoir. Witness had not at any other time
any conversation with him.
Cross-examined by Mr. BRANDT.—Was examined before
magistrate but not 'before the coroner. It was ten days after
the transaction.
By D. BaowN.—First mentioned this matter on the 16th.
The reason why he did not mention it earlier was, that be had
not the least idea of coming before a court and was very sorry
that he had not mentioned it sooner.

James Jones, deputy constable of Warrington, examined the
body of Betty Minshull on Friday the Bth Dec. Under the
chin he observed two marks, which appeared to be the marks
of finger nails. Saw, also, a mark on the right side of the nose,
which appeared also to be the mark of a nail. There were
marks in the throat which looked as if from pressure. Saw
the prisoner on Tuesday night, the 13th of Dec., at Bridewell.
Asked him if he were at Higginson's house on Friday the 7th-
He said yes. Asked him how long he stopped there after the
company left.
Mr. BRANDT asked the witness by what authority he put
these questions. He replied that he did it by his own autho-
rity. It was customary for him to ask questions, but not with
the view of criminaling the prisoners ;—they might either an-
swer or not as they thought fit. Did not question him with
the intention of stating on ottth the answers.
The JUDGE said he thought this was a very wrong practice,
but he could not exclude the evidence.
Ilis Loitusnrt, told the witness that, if that were a
practice of his he had better leave it off immediately. If he did
oot he should give orders that he be turned out of his situation.
To put questions to prisoners was not only not his duty, but
directly the contrary. He was not again to presume to do
such a thing, for constables had no right to do so. His lord-
ship did not think the witness intended to do anything wrong.
but he spoke as strongly as he had done to put an end to so
very bad a practice.
John Thomason stated that on the 23d December he searched
the reservoir at the factory, and found there a snuff-box close
to the edge of the dam.

Thos. Joyuson, one of the constables of Warrington, stated
that he had received a snuff-box from the last witness. Wit-
ness produced the snuff-box.
The witness Lyon examined the trnuff-biik anti said it was the
same which he bad seen in the hand of the prisoner..
Mary Pritchard identified the snuff•bo'x as that which had
belonged to the deceased. The knife of the deceased had two
blades.

Dr. John Davis (sworn). is a physician and surgeon. Had
practised as a surgeon in Warrington within two and throe
years. Was called in to examine the body of Betty Minshull
on the 11th Dec. That was Monday. Saw it at the house of
Mr. Higginson. The body appeared very fat. Externally, on
the right and left fore arm, were several bruises, particularly
about the elbow. There was also a slight bruise about the
wrist, and a mark on the right side of the nose. There were
two marks on the right side, immediately under the lower javi.
There was also a peculiar discolouration about the integuments
of the neck, differing from that of any other part of the body..
These were the whole of the external marks except a few blue
veins showing through the integuments of the leg. He pro-
ceeded to open the body. On removing the intoguments from the
right side of the neck, he found the interior of one of the
muscles of a very dark colour, containing extravasated blood
throughout the whole. The muscles under that were also'
darker coloured than natural. Some other muscles on that side'
contained extravasated blood. On removing the integument
from the opposite side he found the muscles dark in colour
with some extravasated blood. These muscles were not so dark
in colour as on the opposite side, but some of them were dis-
coloured. The muscles on the anterior of the neck were also
discoloured. On opening the chest found the lungs very much
gorged with blood. The structure appeared healthy. The
heart was healthy in structure and its valves appeared perfect.
The stomach was healthy and contained undigested food. The
liver was healthy but had a small tumour near the gall bladder.
There were two semi-cartilaginous tumours on the uteris.
These were diseased ovaries. The brain was healthy. Its
sinuses contained a considerable quantity of blood. The sub-
stance of the brain had more blood in it than usual. In his
judgement, from the tumefaction of the integuments of the
neck, the extravasation of the blood in the sub-cutaneous;cel-
lular tissue, together with the extravasation of blood in the
muscles, and the
gorged appearance of the lungs, death was
occasioned by suffocation from pressure on the inferior portions
of the neck. The pressure of the hand would produce the
irregular appearance which he had named.
Cross examined by Mr. BnaNDT.----The tumours he had
named would produce occasional fainting.. She was a short
fat woman, full in the breast.

Re-exaniined by Dr. Baowtr.—There is nothing in the sP-
pe a ran ce of the brain that showed the deceased to have died of
apoplexy. The appearance would have been different if so.
There was nothing unusual in the appearance of the brain. In
the sinuses there was a little more blood Akan usual. That
might result from the pressure on the neck.
John Fitchet Marsh (sworn.)—ls a clerk to Mr. Wagstaff.
Attended as clerk when the examinations were made. 'What
the prisoner said was taken in writing. He made his mark to
it. By Mr. BRANDT.—Does not know when Isaac Bellass was
examined.

The statement of the prisoner was put in an read. It
was to the effect that the deceased told him (after the others of
the party were gone) to look into the tap-room and see if they.
had left their clothes. She then asked him to take-what ale
was left, which he did, drinking two glsases, afterwhich he bade
her good night.
A juror requested that Belles might be called back and
asked if he saw the prisoner shut the yard door after him-
Belles said he could not, see the door from where he stood.
When he said he saw him 20 yards up the yard, he meant
he saw him 20 yards off, where he (witness) stood, as he called
the whole open space the yard. The prisoner was therefore
about 80 yards from the gate.
This closed the ease for the prosecution.
AIL BRANDT addressed the jury for the defence. Thectuty
he said devolved upon him of addressing them on behalf of the
unfortunate man at the bar. It was a duty so awful, end em-
barfasing that he could wish to be excused, but he dare not
shrink from it—it was his duty to proceed. They (the jury)
also had a duty to perform, an awful and anxious.duty. They'
had to say whether another life was to be sacrificed besides, as
well as *hat which had caused the present inquiry.. He was.
placed in a situation of great difficulty, for, he knew no more-
of the case than he had heard from the evidence of the wit-
nesses that day. What the real facts, of; the ease were only
one being could know. He wished them, however, to construe
the facts which they had heard only as they appeared, and with,
that leaning towards the prisoner which our lawsreenraraended.
The charge against him was that he' had of hie malice afore-
thought killed and murdered the deceased. There were diffi-
culties in this case. The prisoner might have been. guilty of.
impropriety but not of murder. He put it to the jure in ordi-
nary language that the prisoner was not guilty of Murder. He
knew that besides the first view of the prisoner having killed
the deceased by violence, there was another view, which+
was, that it' he had attempted to violate the deceased, and in the,
course of that unlawful net, had cifused her death, though unin—
tentionally, he was guilty of murder. He demi:tot attempt to.,
mistate what he knew to be law, and he would not attempt to.
warp their judgment or understanding. The evidence was al--
together circumstantial; there was nothing direct -about it_.
If they looked at the evidence of Lyon, the overseer, it would
appear, that the prisoner not only did not extinguish the life of
the deceased, but that he did not know that, she was deaf. He,
formed that opinion as well from that tbe.prisoner had said as•
from his conduct. The learned gentleman proceeded to dwell,
on portions of the testimony which we must refrain from pub-,
lishing. It was not credible, he contended, that a man should;
go from the commission of suck a crime ands call its a.lark,.
knowing, as be must have done, under such eirciunstaisces,.thatt
his victim, at that time, " slept the sleep of death." lle wentr,
and, with a coarseness which was certainly disgusting, boastedt
of his success, when he was under no necessity. of mentioning;
anything of the circumstance at all; If he had; ootanaitteei.
murder, it was impossible that he could so have acted.
went to his work the next morning without any appearance of
li
dejection, and he appeared in the presence of an, overseer,, tug he had. given details, which, he lieew,
thing of the matter, must lead to his if he know convictionaay-
friend, in his opening, had said ttthedepti
prisoner
oolfe
tt
er ,
expressed
s hL
rtnuied
asto-
nishment when he was informed f the
Previously to that there. was no change • his demeanour.
After
in 111.0.3110t1r.
After this there was a •
Lhange in his demeanour, and he became
dejected. This, tb'e learned council contended was very Data-
ral in a person `",ho was innocent. The learned council pro-
ceeded to dwell on the intimacy that seemed to exist between
the prisoner and the deceased, and told the jury, that if she had
died in. consequence of some accidental circumstance in the
course of connexion with the prisoner, the prisoner was not
guilty of the charge alleged. He dwelt upon the appearance of
the deceased, sp,,,heing a very lusty woman, who would raßg4
easily die of su ()Cation than a person of the common sire,
His Lordship went minutely over the evidence, remarking ou
the various points as they occurred, and pointing ao.t to the jury
the law which was applicable to the case.
The Jury, having requested permission to retire, went out at
en minutes to three o'clock.

The jury returned at four cecluck, and delivered in a verdict
of Guilty.

The face of the prisoner, which had app,earad very pale during
the trial, flushed at this anuutincemeut,

•
His lordship put on the awful black cap, and proceeded.to
pass sentence of death upon the. nris.o.ner. He said, after a very
full inquiry into the painful circumstances of this case, he (the
prisoner) had been fouud, guilty of having murdered Betty
Minshull. The jury had retired to give the matter mare ample
consideration, and they had come to the conclusion that he was
guilty. He did not mean to say that be was at all convinced,
nor did he suppose that the jury were convinced, that the pri-
sons, when he went out at the hack part of the house with the
unfortunate woman, intended to murder her. Dut he believed
that he went with the intention of committing another crime,
and that in the commission of that he did absolutely suffocate.
and strangle her to prevent her from screarnim.„ and that having
killed her he did, by his own admission, have connexion with
her dead body. He had afterwards proceeded to take from beg
person such articles as she had in her possession, so that he (the
learned judge) had no doubt hut he (the prisoner) stood there
guilty of the three crimes of rape, robbery, and murder. It
only remained for him to perform that most painful duty which
devolved upon him, and it was not him that spoke but the law
through him. He did not say it to agg for
an the feelings which
must agitate him (the prisoner) at that awful moment, but io.
an example to others there was no !rope of mercy for him in this
world—in the next he hnped there was. His life would
for-
feited to the laws of his country, which he had violated. He
e
was not to indulge in the slighest hope that hiSfits would
Spared, hut try to make his peace with Almighty God. He (theli
learned judge) had confidence that every assistance would
e
afforded to him (Wring the few days or weeks that he would have
to live. be

His lordship then passed sentence of death iu the usual form•