The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1880-04-27 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

THE COLMRRS. On Wednesday considerable interest was manifested in the neighbourhood of the Town Hall and the police station to see the prisoners Robert Slade C Amer and Jane, his wife, who stand committed, on the Coroner's warrant, for the wilful murder of Mrs. Budge. An extra force of county constables was drawn in. and the outeide of the station, as well as the approaches to the Court, were guarded by officers; so that at 11 o'clock, when the borough magistrates took their seats, the audience in the justice-room was a limited one. The noise of the people below, however. was borne to the ear whenever a door was epened. The prisoners were not brought in until three qnarters of an hour beyond the time fixed, when the male accused entered first, very quietly. The police explained that there was great difficulty in getting the female prisoner dressed. There was • tremendous moth when at !wit she arrived.—The magistrates on the bench were the Mayor (F.. Raymond. Esq.), James and John Curtis, J. Moore, and H B. Phelps, Esqrs The Chief and Deleity-Chief Constables were present to prosecute, Mr Sidney Watts appearing professionally to conduct the case. Mr. Trevor Davies defende.l.—After an hour had passed the Mayor enquired where the female accused was.—Mr. Davies said he was very sorry, but he feared when she did arrive they would scarcely be able to go on with the case He thought they would have to carry her up and down. This proved to be the case, as she was brought in in a chair apparently fainting. She was attended by three daughters.— The Mayor asked for the medical certificate authorising the female to be brought up, and the police handed one in from, we believe, Mr. Turner.—The Mayor asked if the medical man ought not to have seen her that morning ?—Mr. Davies said of course; the police acted on their own responsibility. The certificate was signed by a medical man at Sherborne. —Mr. Watts said it was thought better to have an opinion out of the town —The Mayor thought they ought to have a certificate of her present state.—The Chief Constable said he had no desire to•force on the case if the Bench considered it should be postponed for another week —The Clerk: The Bench would like to have some certificate to-day.—Mr. Watts: Our object was to get a medical man out,of the town. Let her be examined by any medical min in the town.— The Mayor said as far as he was concerned he thought the Bench would object to go on upon this certificate. He thought the doctor ought to have seen her an hour or two before she was brought away. (An attempt at applause from the back of the court.)—Mr. Watts: Mr. Turner was consulted on purpose that she might not be brought here improperly.—The Mayor: She may have been in comparatively good health when he saw her.—Mr. Davies: I think it is only fair, on behalf of Mrs. Gilmer, to say that she was most aniclowt to come here. There has been something said to the effect that she was not, but I can vouch for it she is most anxious to come here and get rid of this investigation.— Mr. Moore: Without another certificate, speaking individually, I should not be in favour of an adjournment. We have a certificate of yesterday, and Mr. Davies' assertion that there is every desire on her part that the case should be gone on with. But there is just that one thing wanting, Mrs. Colmer's capability. If she is not capable, then we must adjeurn : hut having what we have before us—Mr. Davies: I apprehend that although a medical man may certify she is not in danger of her life, there is another very important question—is she in A fit state to instruct me! I venture to Ray Mist. Colmer is not in a fit