The Wolverhampton and Midland Counties Advertiser. — 1875-12-04 (Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England)

THE ATTEMPTED MURDER IN CHAP. STREET, WEDNESBURY.  EXTRAORDINARY DEPOSITION OF THE INJURED MAN'S WIFE. At the Stipendiary's Couit, Wolverhampton, on Wednesday, before -Mr. I. Spooner, Michael Walsh was again brought up on the charge of attempting to murder Patrick Macfarlane, at Chapel-street, Wednesbury. • It will be remembered that Macfarlane and his wife were quarrelling, when prisoner interfered and struck prosecutor on the head with a chopper. The case for the prosecution was then closed, but the prisoner wished prosecutor's wife to be examined, and he was remanded for her attendance. he was now sworn, and stated that her name was Julia Macfarlane, wife of Patrick Macfarlane, and she lived at Chapel-street, Wednesbury. Her husband was hurt on-the Ist November. The Stipendiary: I will take your story 14 your own words': Witness: My husband got half-a-sovereign from the gaffer, and got drunk with it, and came home about half-past four in the afternoon. Me and my two lads were having a cup of tea, when he came. He asked Were his b— victuals ready? "—and r said "Yes." He then struck the table, knocked everything off, and broke it. Afterwards he asked "where was the b— padding-ken w—, and where has she been all day long ? " He made the pot of tea fly all over me, and struck me on the head with the I teapot. He took it off the stove and flung it at me. I had then to go to Mrs. Sanders' house, a neighbour. to wring my clothes. After that when I got back , home he put a little chopper in his trowser's pocket, and swore he would have my life that night. At that time, about half-past five, Welsh came in. While the blow came Welsh jumped up and sent the blow off my head or I would be killed, and I don't know how things then went. • The Stipendiary: I thought yqu or Welsh would tell any lie. You have told as two positively different stories as can be. I expected it would be so. The great charm is, the truth will come out now. You are telling one story, and Welsh another. Witness : What I say is the truth. The Stipendiary: Is that all you have to say?— Witness : Yes.  Did you go out that night P—Yes. Where did you leave your husband P—ln the house. Whereabouts, on the floor P—l don't know whether he was on the floor or not. (Question repeated) ?—I cannot tell. When he hit me I went out. I don't know whether my husband was on the floor or not. When did you go back P—That night. Take care; I know better.—l did; I have plenty of witnesses. How did you find your husband. when you went back P—l found him in bed. Who was attending him ?—No one, only the children. Had the doctors been in ; not when I went back. The Stipendiary: Well! I suppose there are some who will tell—However, you are not bound to answer [me unless I choose, and I don't choose.— Did you pass the niht with the prisoner? 'Witness: I passed thern night. nowhere with the prisoner. Did you pass the night with that man (indicating :isoner F—No, sir, I did not. Did you find your husband ill when you went back? -Yes. ,t.i Had the doctor been?  priso)  -Y.  No. answer. 7 " Do you know that now-there is nothing 'left but the dura mater—if you understand—to cover is skull, and he may die at any moment ?—I don't understand. That the only thing is a bit of lining on his skull, and that if anything happens there he dies in a second. Do you know that • No answer. The Stipendiary: I am afraid I have no opinion of you. Do you mean to tell me your husband was not attended by a doctor? Witness: There hasn't been no doctor when I got back. The Stipendiary; I think you are a very worthless woman. It is luckily for justice that you have given evidence here. Whether a jury can believe you is another thing' finding the most marvellous difference that can exist between two versions of the same story. I shall not bind you over to appear at the trial. The prisoner was then formally committed for trial at the Stafford Assizes, which take place next week.