Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1882-12-23 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

THREATENING THE PREMIER.  At the Central Criminal Court, London, before Mr. Justice Stephen, John Norris Saunders, 32, a well-dressed num, was indicted for feloniously sending a letter to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, containing a threat to kill hits. Mr. Poland and Mr. Montagu Williams conducted the prosecution. The prisoner was undefended. Mr. Poland said the prisoner was charged with sending the following letter to Mr. Gladstone t. 11, Tainted-building., Oray's-inn-road, Nov. 16, 1882. Sir,—On every occasion when your great abilities and your high principles have been questioned, I have endeavoured to remove all ill-formed opinions and prejudice., and place your actions in the most favourable light. All my opinions are changed as regards your conduct, and I have come to the conclusion that you must die. The letter woe signed with the prisoner's name, and it was at once sent ever to Scotland - yard, and inquiries were made by the police. The prisoner WM (0.11 at the address mentioned in the letter, and he at once admitted that he had written the later, stating at the same time that he had been confined in two lunatic asylums. This turned out to be correct, and the result of further inquiries left no doubt that the prisoner was insane, and that he really WrIS a dangerous lunatic, and unfit to be at large. Mr. E. W. Hamilton, private secretary to Mr. Gladstone, proved the receipt of the letter on Nov. 10 at the official residence of the Premier, in DowningStreet. Inspector Lansdowne mid that he went to the address on the letter, which was a common lodginghouse, and saw the prisoner coming out. He told hint that he had a warrant for his apprehension for sending a letter threatening to murder Mr. Gladstone. He admitted having sent the letter, but said that he had no intention to marder Mr. Gladstone, but time his object was Cu have his case brought before the public. The prisoner then told hint that he had been confined in Newgate and Holloway prisons, and that Mr. Gibson, the surgeon of Newgate, had certified that he was a dangerous lunatic, and he had been confined in two lunatic asylums. Be added that he had made Isis escape front one lunatic asylum, but was re-captured. The prisoner declined to pelt any questions to the witnesses. Mr. J. R. Gibson said that he WU for 27 years eargeon of the gaol of Newgate, and he remembered the prisoner being confined them in 1876. At that time he was of opinion that the prisoner was of unsound mind, and this opinion was confirmed in an interview he had with the prisoner a few days ago. Ile considered him to be a dangero-us lunatic, and that he was incapable of appreciating the consequencm or character of such an offence as he was charged with. It Near further stated that the prisoner had undergee two sentences of twelve months' imprisonment for violent conduct and threats. Mr. Justice Stephen asked the prisoner what he had to say in answer to the charge. Prisoner: I have made up my mind not to make any answer to the charge. The jury then returned a verdict of not guilty, on the ground of insanity. In reply toe question put by the learned judge, Mr. Gibson sta:el that when the prisoner was confined in an a-ylum and kept quiet, he got better, hut the moment he was set at liberty he appeared to relapse into his former (Wagerer," condition. alt. Ju-tice Stephen said that the prisoner was amen dangerous man to heat liberty, and the only way to prevent him from doing mischief, either to Mr. Gladstone or anyone else, was to keep him in safe custody. Ile ordered the prisoner to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure.