The Sun. — 1849-07-13 (London, England)

KEA.TING having addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner, the rector and mayor of Wallingford were both sworn as witnesses to his character, and stated that they believed him to be a thoroughly ho. nest man.  His LORDSHIP, in summing up the case, raid he should in consequence of the line of defence adopted by the prisoner's counsel, leave two questions to the jury, to which he would require their answers separately—first, whether they were of opinion that the prisoner had forged the name of Joseph Cox to the settlement of the account? And next, if he had, whether he owed that sum at the time, and so forged or uttered the signature with intent to defraud any one? His Lordship having gone through the evidence, left, in concluding, these two questions to the jury. As the jury were about to consult, Mr. KEATING hoped he would be excused if he took  the liberty of saying, that the practice of requiring special findings from a jury in a criminal case was new to him, and he at present was not aware of any authority for it. His LORDSICIP thanked the Learned Counsel for the  suggestion, and again addressed the jury, explaining the law of forgery to them, and telling them that they must find a verdict of not guilty if they were satisfied either that the prisoner did not actually counterfeit the signature of Cox, or utter it knowing it to be counterfeit, or if he did counterfeit or utter, that the money had been really paid, and that he had consequently no intention to defraud any one. The jury almost immediately returned a verdict of Not Guilty, which was received with applause in the body of the court. This was the last case of the assizes, and did not close till five o'clock.  Mr. Baron Rolfe had tried in the morning three unimportant cases which had remained since yesterday, aud then went to open the commission at Oxford. Oxford, July 11. _ _  The commission was opened here to•day by Mr. Baron Rolfe. The business commences to-morrow. There are four vaiires returned, all actions for debt. There are five prisoners for trial—one for murdering his wife, one for forgery, and three for larceny.  MIDLAND ClRCUlT.—Northampton, July 12. The lion. Sir J. T. Coleridge arrived here at eight o'clock last evening, and opened the commissions for the county and borough, the Right lion. Sir James Parke following at a later hour. Their Lordships having attended Divine service this morning, took their &eats in the County Hall shortly after eleven o'clock, Mr. Baron Parke presiding in the Crown Court and Mr. Justice Coleridge on the Civil side. The business here has been remarkably light, the cause list presenting only four cases, of which two were undefended, and the others were concluded within three hours.  The calendar exhibited the names of 19 prisoners and 14 cases for trial, two of them being within the borough jurisdiction. Five were of assault and robbery, two of doing grievous bodily harm, two of breaking and entering dwelling-houses, and two of offences against women, both of which broke down, and the details in each are unfit for publication. There were, also, one of manslaughter, one of shoep stealing, and one against a soldier of stealing a watch. CIVIL SlDE.—(Before Mr. Justice