The Sun. — 1858-10-08 (London, England)

THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A  POLICE INSPECTOR.  At the Woolwich Police-court, yesterday, Edward Mark Council, a pensioner, 63 years of age, was charged with attempting to murder William J. Budd, sen., inspector of police at Woolwich Dockyard, by shooting him with a pistol. The court was densely crowded. Mr. Superintendent Mallalieu, of the It division of police, was present. A young woman, named Martha White, deposed that about a quarter to five o'clock, on the previous afternoon, she was near the dockyard main gate, when she saw the prisoner walking close behind Mr. Budd. She saw the prisoner level a pistol, and immediately a flash and an explosion took place, and witness perceived that Mr. Budd was shot. Police-constable Willis, 207 R, deposed—On the previous afternoon he was on duty at the main gate, and saw Mr. Budd leave his office, about 20 minutes to five o'clock. Shortly afterwards he heard the report of a pistol, and ran out, when he saw the prisoner in the act of making off, but he was pursued and immediately caught by Mr. Budd, who was wounded, and who held the prisoner by the collar.  Police-sergeant Ryan, 32 R, who was on duty with the last witness, corroborated his evidence, and deposed that he saw the prisoner in the grasp of Mr. Budd, who held him tightly by his coat collar, and witness saw that at this moment the prisoner was in the act of cocking a second pistol, when witness seized him and threw him down on his back. The prisoner held the second pistol tightly in his-hand, and witness had some difficulty to get it from him. The pistol which had been fired was thrown on the path by the prisoner, who was secured by other constables, and witness then assisted Mr. Budd to his own residence, and sent for medical assistance.  From other evidence it appeared that the prisoner was searched at the station-house, and a letter was found in his possession addressed to a waiter residing at the Black Eagle Tavern, opposite the Dockyard. This letter directed the waiter to give up a parcel of papers and documents which were delivered to the police, when it was found to be addressed to Mr. C. J. Carttar, Coroner for West Kent. The parcel was therefore forwarded to Mr. Carttar, who found that it contained numerous letters, memorials, &c., setting forth that the prisoner had been ill-treated and discharged without just cause from his employment at the dockyard. One letter, written closely over six sheets of foolscap paper, was specially addressed to the coroner, and stated that at the time it was read by the coroner the writer would be a corpse; but he wished to send such information as would enable the jury inquest which arrive at a proper conclusion at the which would be held, as he intended to shoot Mr. Budd for committing perjury, and causing him (the prisoner) to be discharged from his employment, and he then intended to shoot himself. Another document was a memorial addressed to Lord Palmerston by the prisoner in January, 1857. This memorial extends over 24 pages, --and contains the following statement -`! My Lord,—The writer of this, Edward Mark Council, was discharged from the Sappers and Miners aftor 21 years' servitude on a pension of ls. 3d. per day. I fought and bled for my country during the Peninsular war, and fit the siege of St. Sebastian I was one of the storm