The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-12-09 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL WINTER ASSIZES.

OPENING OF THE NEW COURTS

Mr. Baron Parke and Mr Justice Erle arrived in Liver-
pool on Saturday, about three o'clock. Mr. Justice Erle
immediately proceeded from the Lime-street-station to
the new Assize Courts, there to. open the commission.
The Nisi Prius Court was that in which the first commis-
tion of assize beneath the roof of St. George's-hall was

opened.
Amongst those present were Mr. Thos. Littledale, the
Mayor, Mr. J. B. Lloyd, Mr. Alderman Parker, Mr. J.
H. Turner, Mr. W. J. Horsfall. the Town-clerk, Deputy
Town-clerk, and others. The judge was attended by the
Sheriff, Mr. Thos. Percival Heywood. Mr. E. G. H. H.
Gibbs. the Governor of Kirkdale Goal, was also present.
On Sunday their lordships, attended by the Sheriff, the
Mayor,
.and other officials, went in the usual state to
St. George's Church, where the sermon was preached by
the chaplain from the 3rd chap. of Colossians, Verse 17.

YESTERDAY.

Yesterday morning, the Judges, attended by'the Mayor
in his state carriage, went in procession to St. George's
Hall to despatch the business of the commission. St.
Anne-street and Islington were a good deal crowded, and
much curiosity was manifested.

Their lordships (Mr. Baron Parke and Mr. Justice
Erie) entered St. George's llall at the north end, and
were received by the members of the Corporation, magia-
trates, and others.

The court was crowded with magistrates, town coun-
cillors; solicitors, officials, and many of the most respec-
table inhabitants. A number of ladies occupied a
kind of balcony under the noble arch which surmounts
the end of the court opposite the balcony.
The following gentlemen attended the opening of the
Courts as a deputation from the Liverpool Law Society,
on the invitation of the Mayor :—Mr. G. B. Carter, pre-
sident ; Mr. Wro. Wareing, vice-president ; Mr. E.
Banner, hon. sec. ; and Messrs. Bell, Curry, Carsbn.
Davenport, Deane, Duncan, Eden, Falcon, Harvey, Has
sall, Lowndes, Lace, Leather, Norris, Nott, Payne,
and Shackleton.
Soon after eleven o'clock Mr. Baron Parke and Mr.
Justice Erle took their seats upon the bench, accompa-
nied by the High Sheriff, the Mayor, Lord Sefton, Mr.
Cardwell, M.P., &c. &c. The following gentlemen were
then sworn to serve upon

THE GRAND MJRY.
John Pemberton Heywood, Esq., foreman, Norris Green,

Frederick Bateman, Esq , Man'cliester.
Thomas 13irley, Esq., Brown House.
Robert Barnes, Esq., Manchester.
James Bourne, Esq.,, Heatlifield Hous-r,

George Cooke,'Esq:, Manchester,

Thomas Earle, Esq., Allerton.
James garter, Esq.; Manchester,

. . ,
Edward Stanley Heywood, Esq., Claremont.
Paul Moon James, Esq., Manchester.
. _

Joseph Langton, itsq.; Liverpool.'
Thomas Littledale, Esq., Higlifield.
John Bramley-Moore, Esq., Liverpool

,
William Peel, Esq., Swinton Park,
Thomas Potter, Esq., Manchester

Thomas HelierPerdval, Esq., Liverpool.
Theodore Woolman Itathbone, Esq., Merton Priory
John Abraham Tinne. N.sq., Brierley.
Edmund Thompson, Esq., Primrose.
James Aspinall Turner, Esq., Manchester.

,
William Benjamin Watkins, Esq., Manchester.
Charles Walker, Esq., Longford Hall.
After the usual proclamation against viceand immorality,
Mr. Baron PARKE addressed the Grand Jury. The
learned Judge said that he felt great satisfaction in being
the first judge to preside in that building, which appeared
to be admirably adapted to- the purpose, and shewed an
excellent specimen of architectural taste. The Mayor
and principal officers of the corporation -attended at the
opening of the edifice, and he felt gratified at the proceed-
ing, because they gave additional effect to the adminis-
tration of justice. He regretted, however, that the young
and eminent architect, Mr. Elopes, who had originally
planned the bu-liding, had not lived to meet the reward
justly due to his talents. He was happy to find that, con:
sidering the extent of the population, there would be but a
small demand upon their time. There were three charges
of murder, of different degrees as to the character of the of-
fence. After explaining the law on the subject, the learned
Judge expressed his confidence that the circumstances
would command their attention. The question with
respect to the boy of seven years of age, would be whether
'his death was occasioned by the blow. The other two
cases were of lighter character. One of them was a case
where a deadly blow had been struck, and it would be for
them to inquire as to the provocation. The third case
was a charge of wilful murder, which might be reduced to
manslaughter. There had been a quarrel between a man
and his wife, and the latter had been found dead at the
bottom of the stairs. It would be for them to inquire if
the death of the woman could have Peen accidentally
caused. There were many other cases, not of the same
aggravated character, and the question would be whether
the offence waa murder or manslaughter. He was not
aware that the other cases required any observation ; but
if any difficulty arose, he should be happy to lend his
assistance-

The Grand Jury then retired. Before their return, a
formidable array of Barristers had assembled.

On the termination of the charge, the judges, with the
council. members of the bar, and others, were entertained
at a sumptuous luncheon, provided in the spacious library
by his worship the mayor.
Over the banquet Mr. Littledale, with a judge on either
side, presided. There were present tbe • two Rectors,
Brooks and Campbell, several of the county magistrates,
the council, and a few members of the bar.
Mr.. Baron PARKE, before leaving the room, would take
the liberty of proposing a toast, which, although it might
not accord with the gravity of his office, was in unison
with the feelings of his heart. He proposed the health of
Mr. Thomas Littledale, the chief magistrate, and might he
grow in the esteem which he was sure they all bore to him.
After a pause. his lordship said it bad for a moment es
caped his memory that this was a happy day, not merely
on account of this great ceremony, but because the Mayor
had been blessed with another child. (Great applause.)
The MAroa, in an appropriate speech, acknowledged
the compliment. He stated that the arrangements and
fittings of the Courts were merely of a temporary and ex-
perimental character ; but the Council had felt most un-
willing that their lordships, the Grand Jury, the bar, and
others concerned should again be exposed to the incon-
venience of the old Courts. (Applause.) As to the latter
part of the compliment of the learned Baron, Mr. Little-
dale hoped' the event alluded to would' be the means of
increasing his happiness as the father of a family, and he
expressed his warmest acknowledgments for the honour
conferred upon him by the notice his lordship had taken.
Mr. Baron Parke having returned into Court, the
business was proceeded with.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY.
Thomas Phillips, aged 41, was indicted for having
assaulted Richard Woolley, in the borough of Manchester,
on the 22nd of August last, with intent to rob him. .
Mr. SOWLER briefly stated the case for the prosecution,
.and then called _ _ _

Richard Woolley, the prosecutor, an elderly man,
who stated that on the night in question he was pass-
ing along Dark-lane, Ardwick, about eleven o'clock.
Suddenly he was knocked down, and a man put his left
arm round his neck. Witness called out for help, and
struggled to get away. The man then threw him down
with tremendous force, and railaway. He believed the man
was the prisoner. There were two other men about. The
place in question was a sort of lane. The men first fol-
lowed witness.

By the JUDGE.—Had been drinking a little, but was
quite sober.
By thePrisoner.—Noneof the men attempted to rob him.
. _

The prisoner here said he was charged with an attempt
to rob, but the prosecutor said the men did not attempt
to rob him. He hoped the jury would remember this.
John Atherton, a private watchman, who was on duty
at the spot, said, he heard a scream, and made towards it.
He saw a man struggling with the prosecutor. There
were three, but two ran away. The man who remained
was the prisoner. Had known him before, and was sure
he was the man.

By the prisoner.—l told the policeman I knew you.
went against you on the 23d of August.
The Prisoner.—There, he says it was the 23d, but it
was the 25th.

George Burroughs, a noliceman, deposed to having
heard a cry of murder. There were three men when wit-
ness went up. The prisoner was one. A man stopped
the prisoner, and witness took him for the man. The pri-
soner, when asked why he was running, said, he should
run where he pleased.
By the prisoner.—The private watchman did not come
to the police-office on the day after the charge.
The prisoner, in defence, said he had been drinking
with a friend, and as he was going home he heard the cry
of murder and stop thief. A man came up, and took him
(the prisoner) into custody, but he had not been near the
lane. The prosecutor could not find the man who took
him in charge, and so they went and got the private
watchman to say it was he who did it. He hoped the
jury would remember that the prosecutor had stated that
he had not attempted to rob him.
Mr. Baron PARKE summed up the evidence, and the
jury. after a short deliberation, acquitted the prisoner.
William Kenworthy, aged 40, who pleaded guilty to
the committal of a burglary at Gorton, and with having
stolen a cup, a hat, and fourteen pieces of copper coin,
was sentenced to be imprisoned, with bard labour, for 14
calendar months, in Kirkdale House of Correction.
A SOLDIER CHARGED WITH STABBING.

John Charles Keith, aged 27, was indicted for having
feloniously stabbed and wounded William Pennington, at
Preston.

Mr. MONK stated the case for the prosecution, and called
William Pennington, who said,—l am an inspector of
plate layers at Preston. On the 22nd August last I went
into a public house, called The Royal Oak, at Preston,
with my wife. I was in the kitchen ; the landlord came
and told us at twelve o'clock to go out. The prisoner was
in the lobby as I was going out of the kitchen. It was
Saturday night. As I was going out, the prisoner got
hold of me and flung me down. Perhaps he thought I
was the landlord. Soon afterwards I felt the blood trickle
down my right side. The blood was running down into
my boot. The prisoner went on the other side of the
street. I had not given the prisoner any provocation ;
indeed I had not spoken to him.
By the Prisoner.—l had had two two-pennyworths of
whiskey that night. I had been at a beer-shop before I
went to the Oak. I did cry out that I was stabbed when
I saw the blued. Many persons were outside. The other
soldier had gone out. My wife hit you with au umbrella
whsn you stabbed me, and you said you would servo her
the same. (The prisoner cross-examined this witness
with i.reat animation, and often excited laughter from the
earnestness of bid manner).
Ann Pennington, the wife of the last witness, stated
sltBt the landlord and the soldier were quarrelling when