The Sun. — 1855-10-22 (London, England)

FAVRIL"  TEE CASE OF STRAHAAT, PAUL, AND  BATES.  The October sessions of the Central Criminal Court commenced this morning, and from the important nature of the cases that are to be disposed of the proceedings 'will be of considerable interest to the public. The number of prisoners at present for trial is 93, but the majority of the cases are of a very serious character. There are two charges of murder—one against a woman named Jolly, who is accused of cutting the throat of her mother, a very aged woman, under very extraordinary circumstances ; and another, in which a man named Lot, don, is charged with the murder of his wife. There are also several serious charges of cutting and wounding, and misdemeanour, but the principal case of public interest and importance is the charge against the bankers, Sir John Dean Paul, Strahan, and Bates, of having misappropriated securities to a large amount, and which is specially.fixed to be disposed of this session. It will be remembered that the trial was postponed from the September session, upon the ground that the counsel for thi prisoners had not had sufficient opportunity to coneider in what manner to answer an indictment of so special and peculiar a character, anal it is said that the course that will be taken will be one of a very unusual kind. Some allusion has already been made to the fact that the prisoners would relyon their having made a full statement in reference to the matters alleged against them, in the Court of Bankruptcy, and that they would on this ground claim their acquittal upon the charge made against them. With a view to raise this point, it is said that a special plea will be made on their behalf, in this form—they will, it is said, plead guilty to the charge of having applied the securities mentioned in the indictment to their own purposes, but, at the same time, it will be stated that in accordance with the provisions of another section of the statutes under which the indictment is framed, they had made a full disclosure of all matters connected with the transaction, in accordance with the requirements of the statute, and that consequently they are relieved from all responsibility under the criminal law. Should this course be taken, the whole case will resolve itself into one of legal argument, as in the case of a demurrer, and no evidence will be taken, but the point will be decided by the judges ; and if it shall be against the prisoners they will be called up for judgment, as though the jury had returned a verdict of guilty against them. If, on the contrary, it should be decided in their favour, they will be at once released from all further proceedings. The question is one of immense importance, and it is said that very great difference of opinion exists among the highest legal authorities upon the subject, and, under any circumstances, there is no doubt that the point will not be decided finally by the judges at the Central Criminal Court, but that it will be reserved for the consideration of the Court of Criminal Appeal. The judges who will preside at the ensuing sessions are Baron Alderson, Justice Williams, and Baron Martin ; and the aldermen upon the rota to sit as second commissioners are Messrs. Copeland, Humphery, Farncomb, Salomons, Wire, and Eagleton.