The Sun. — 1840-03-09 (London, England)

JOHNSON.) ATTEMPT AT ASSASS'NATION.--./arks Dodds, a tailor, aged •)7, was indicted for feloniously assaulting George Martin, and striking, cutting, and wounding him en the wad, arms, &c., with intent to kill and murder him ; the second count stated the intent to be to do some grievous bodily harm. The evidence differed in some respects from that taken at the office. _ _  George Martin deposed as follows-_I am a coffeehousekeeper, and live at No. 187, Church-street, Shoreditch. The prisoner had lodged with me for 14 months down to the 26th of February. I got his tea on the evening of the 25th, and he went to bed at nine o'clock. I went at eleven, and my wife soon afterwards. About three o'clock my bedroom door opened, and I saw the prisoner enter tvith a lighted candle. Before I could speak to him, he struck me a violent blow with a hammer on the left :ide of my head. I put up my hand to ward off the twit blow, and he struck me violently over my left arm, when the iron head of the hammer flew off, and a scuffle ensued, in which be gained the mastery, and beat me with the handle. He then went to the bed, and pulled the clothes off, and our child out of bed. He then beat my wife with great violence. I went up, and struck the prisoner on his nose. My wife said, " What villain is this who is going to murder us ?" I said, " It's Dodds." As soon as he found I knew him, he left the room and ran lown stairs. I always leave my door unlocked tor my son .o come in early in the morning. I saw the prisoner •inctly when he entered. I never had an angry word with -inn, nor did I ever know that he was subject to aberration of mind. I have clubs at my house, and the prisoner knew :hat I kept their money as well as my own in my bedroom, and that I had sold a clock on the previous day for 31. Maria Martin confirmed her husband's statement in every material particular. The prisoner struck her several :imes, and almost dragged her off the bed ; she held up her hands to shield the blows from her head. As soon as the prisoner absconded she went down stairs and opened the door, and gave an alarm ; she had previously screamed murder and alarmed the inmates.  Thomas Martin, the son of the above-nanwd, deposed that on the previous evening he saw the prisoner take some matches out of the lucifer-box just before he went to bed. When he went down stairs he found his father bleeding profusely. he prisoner said there was nothing remarkable in his taking up some matches. The COMMON SERGEANT said it was material to show he had the power to procure a light. The point against him was striking and wounding. Robert Foster, H 182, deposed that he found the prisoner halt a mile from the prosecutor's house, without his hat, shoes, and stockings; witness took him to the stationhouse, and found two skeleton-keys on him. The prisoner, when called upon for his defence, said that he had no recollection of striking Mr. Martin and his wife.  The Jury, after two minutes' consultation, returned the following verdict :—" We find the prisoner guilty of the intent to murder.  The COMNIoN SERGEANT said this was a most grievous case, and he should take time to consider his judgment. It is expected that sentence of death will be recorded. There were two ether indictments against the prisoner —ono ter attempting to murder Maria Martin, the other for a burglary in the dwelling. house of George Martin. The prisoner will be brought up for judgment this dab.,