Star. — 1825-02-18 (London, England)

BAILEY,, FEBRUARY 17. . • 'a I Henry lifugglelon,',aiedff"* as indicted for stashing, William Sheppard, with. inn to murder, or do him some grievous bodily harm. From the evidence it appeared that the prisoner had behaved in a most outrageous manner to his mother, and that three constables were sent for to take him into custody, when, he struck one with a poker, and made. a back-handed stab with a knife at Sheppard, and 'wounded him in the breast. A Surgeon from Middlesex Hospital stated the nature of the wound, and that be did not consider it a " grievous bodily harm." Mr. Wontner, the Governor of Newgate, thought the prisoner of, imbecile mind. The Learned Judge left ft to the Jury to say, whether this was a " grievous bodily harm within the meaning of the Statute?" The Jury consulted, and returned a verdict of " Guilty of Stabbing." The Learned Judge explained that if the Jury found the prisoner guilty of stabbing, without a malicious intent, that was, 44 Not Guilty."—The Jury re-considered their verdict, and found, the pi iscner Guilty, but recommended him to mercy on account of " 4 weakness of mind." Michael Holland, a servant, Jeinima, his wife, and William Walker, were indicted for stealing. froni the house of Thomas Dowries, Esq. a Solicitor, of Great James-street, Bedford-row, a gold watch, a diamond ring, and other jewellery, of the value of nearly £6OO. Mr. ALLEY conducted the case for the prosecution, and having stated the facts of it to the Jury, refrained from offering any evidence against Jemitna Holland, and she was then removed from the bar. Elizabeth Burton said, she lived as housemaid with the prosecutor, and on the day in question the prisoner came and drank tea with the witness and her fellowsevant. The evidence given by this witness was precisely the same as that given before the Magistrates at Hatton-garden Police Office, on the committal of the prisoners for trial, and which appeared in our Paper at that time, in our Police Report. Frances White, the cook ; William Bantiug, the • patrol ; Wm. and James Lee, the officers ; and Mr. Anderton, the pawnbroker, repeated their former testimony. William Perry, assistant to Mr. Auderton, swore positively to the person of Walker, as the person who. pledged a diamond ring, the duplicate of which was found on his person ; and which ring was positively sworn toly Mrs. Downes. The only evidence wortbrot particular remark was that of a person named Edward iil'lntire, who stated, That having been confined in .the House of Correction -when the prisoner was'brought there, the latter made a confidant of him, and agreed to give him a certain sum to prove a false alibi in his favour. Walker admitted to him that he had pawned the ring, but said, that if he could only get an alibi, he should be cleared, as he had "Eileaged it in his own name. The witness appeared to agree to the terms offered; and on being discharged he went to Mr. Downes, and informed him of the whole plan, and was by that Gentleman instructed to continue the deception ; for which purpose another person, named Carter, was, by the direction of Mr. Downes, to pretend. to be one of the persons willing to come forward, and the third was to be found by the prisoner's friends. In the course of the different communications that took .place between Walker and the witness, the former told him that he had made no less than £2,00) in two years*, that he had concerted the whole of the plan of the robbery in question, and that a person (Meaning Holland) had given them the whole of the information as to the premises, and as to where the property was placed. This witness was closely cross-examined by Mr.Baooales ; but he swore positively that he was induced solely by a motive of justice to come forward, in order to bi ing this gang of plunderers to justice. He solemnly deF dared, that he had never before been in a Court of Law, .and that he had never heard that a reward bad been offered for the apprehension of the robbers. Both prisoners protested their innocence most strongly. Sir. Justice Busitousix summed up the evidence to the Jury, who found the prisoners, Holland Not Guilty, Walker Guilty—Death. The trial lasted eight hours, during the whole of which time the Court was crowded to excess.