The Statesman. — 1815-07-22 (London, England)

ASSIZES.  MAIDSTONE, JULY 20.  . ~' y  Charles Rote was indicted for the wilful murder of Robert Chides', by throwing him overboard from a Gravesend boat, in the Galleon's Reach, on the Ist of April last. T. Sparrow, the master of the Gravesend boat, said, that the Prisoner came on board the boat as a passenger, and the deceased was also a passenger. They left Gravesend a little after 12 at night, on the last day of February. The Prisoner and the de- 1 ceased did not seem to be acquaintance. Soon after 'they came on board, they went below, when the company began singing. The deceased was a little humped back man, and a sort of sparring ensued between him and the. Prisoner. lie thought it was et lost ajoke. The little man was very good bummed, and bore the Prisoner's taunts upon his person without any ill temper ; but sang several lively songs for the company. The Prisoner told him several times to hold • his tongue, and threatened that lie would put him ou the fire, throw him overboard, &c. When they arrived at Galleon's Reach, the Prisoner and the deceased walked forward as far as the running tackle, when the Prisoner gave the deceased a whirl, and a boa lying on the deck, he struck it, and fell overboard. The Prisoner immediately said " he is gone overboard," to which the witness replied, " yes, you rascal, and you have .done it." All the persons in the vessel came, round the Prisoner, and said he ought to be taken into custody. Was. Spankhurst, a waterman, who was at the helm, said the Prisoner and the deceased came on board at Gravesend as passengers ; that they drank a bottle of porter together, but nobody seemed drunk. They went down below, when they began singing ; the little fellow sang leveret comic songs, and was in very good humour. The Prisoner did not seem in such good humour, but he abused the little man a great deal, and said he was a Birmingham man, made of odds and ends of men. The little man replied, that articles of great value were packed in a small compass; that ill weeds grew apace, &c. Before that the Prisoner bad proposed to the deceased to jump overboard for a wager. The witness, thinking it a joke, said, 46 Bet him, my lord ; jump with him for a glass of gin, and give him the first jump." They then went down below. When the vessel arrived at Galleon's Reach, the little man came up and helped the witness to haul the main sheet aft. The' Prisoner and the deceased then walked forwards ; the Primmer had hold of the deceased, and when they were opposite to the running tackle, gave him a , whirl, and the deceased went overboard. He fell iato the water about four feet from the aide of the vessel. It was impossible to save him. T. Eldwell, a pilot, gave the same account of the quarrel below deck, and stated that the Prisoner, amongst other thitsgc, said to the deceased, 66 you shall never reach Woolwich ; I will throw you overboard before you get there." lie was asleep when the accident happened, but was awaked by the bustle. The Prisoner fell down upon his knees, and said he did not do it, and hoped they would forgive him., The witness, however, whets they arrived at Black'.. wall, hailed the police boat, and delivered him Wit custody., The body was found on the 18th of April. Several witnesses were called, who gave the Psis.'l soner a good character for humanity. • They stated him to be a journeyman breeches-maker at Gravesend. •  The Learned JUDGE, in summing up to the, Jury, said, they 'meld consider whether the Prisoner intended to throw the deceased overboard, in which case it would be murder; or whether it was merely a feint, and unfortunately happened undesignedly, in which latter case they would find him guilty of manslaughter. The Jury found him guilty of illanslaugller, and he wu sentenced to nine months' imprisonment. Nothing further occurred worth reporting, and the Assizes ended this morning.