The Sun. — 1857-03-06 (London, England)

WESTERN CIRCUIT. WINCHESTER, MARCH S.—CROWN COURT. (Before Mr. Justice Williams.) James Johnson, who was convicted yesterday of stabbing a warder at the convict p►ison at Portsea with intent to murder him, was this morning brought up for judgment.  - His Lordship told the prisoner that he had been convicted upon the clearest testimony of this most grievous act, and his own savage and brutal statement had corroborated the testimony given against him. Judgment of death would be recorded against him, and he would be dealt with as her Majesty might think proper. This sentence created great surprise. Persons say that the majesty of the law has not been vindicated. This prisoner has already been convicted of a similar offence. He told the Judge but yesterday that he would seize the first opportunity to kill the warders, or to rid the world of them, and yet his life has been spared. The prisoner is evidently a most dangerous character, and if possible will yet do harm. William Wallace was indicted for stabbing William Kelly, with intent to murder him. Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Bullar were counsel for the prosecution. _ _  On the 16th of February Kelly, who was a prisoner at the convict establishment at Portsea, was gang round with one of the warders to collect the knives from the prisoners. When they came to the prisoner's cell Kelly put in his arm with the knife-box ; the prisoner stabbed him in the arm with the knife he had. The prisoner was secured, ant' he said he had not made up his mind fcr nothing since Monday, for Kelly had always called him names. The knife was afterwards found secreted behind the prisoner's bed ; it had been sharpened at the point. The governor of the establishment asked the prisoner if he had intended killing Kelly. lie said he meant to do it, for Kelly had been taunting him and setting men against him.  —The jury found the prisoner guilty of the capital charge. _  The prisoner then said that he had not intended to kill Kelly, but merely to stab him, in order that he might be flogged and sent back to the separate cells, as he was leading co miserable a life. TheJu,ige ordered judgment of death to be recorded against the prisoner. George Massam was indicted for shooting at Atm Hurley, with intent to kill and murder her. Mr. H. T. Cole prosecuted. The prisoner had been living at Southampton with Ann Hurley. She was about to leave him, at which he appeared to be much distressed, and he told another girl that if Hurley determined to leave him he would kill her, and he produced a pistol. The girl, who had been out, returned to the house, and the prisoner then said to her he would kill her if she persisted in leaving him. She said she certainly should go. The prisoner then pulled out the pistol and said be would kill her. She asked for time to say her prayers, and she knelt down. The prisoner, who was crying, asked her if she was ready. She said she must be if he was determined, and he then loaded the pistol with shot, and while she was kneeling before him he shot her in the breast. The prisoner then tried to make his escape. It was shown that the girl had greatly aggravated the prisoner. The jury returned a verdict of guilty with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Sentence doferred.  THE LATE WALTER BATEMAN, EBq ,