Nantwich, Sandbach & Crewe Star — 1890-08-23 ()

BLAGG' S TRIAL.  An examinationation of the reported evidence given at the trial of Blagg at Chester Assizes discleses the fact that no suggestion was ever made that any other person was wearing Blagg's boots that night. The case for the prosecution rested on a train of circumstances—that the prisoner had been heard threatening to shoot Bebbington on the first chance, although he was tipsy when he spoke in such a strain: that the keeper had been killed by an Ely's cartridge; that the prisoner had bought two dozen of these cartridges at Nantwich some time before the murder ; that a piece of brown cartridge paper bearing the mark 16 G 4," which was used by Messrs Ely for the wrapping of cartridges, was found in prisoner's coat pocket; that a piece of paper found under deceased's body was part of the case of Ely's wire cartridges; that a shoemaker's awl was found in prisoner's house exactly cotresponding with a perforation of a wad discovered in the field where the murder was committed; and that one of the prisoner's boots, obtained from the house, corresponded in every detail with one of the sets of footprints in the wheat field next to the scene of the murder. Mr Brandt, who defended the prisoner called no rebutting evidence. He sought to impress upon the jury that prisoner was a victim of hatred because he was a poacher, and as the prosecution could not get hold of the real murderer they pounced upon the prisoner because he happened unfortunately to be disliked by a Cheshire gentleman. He pointed out the absurdity of supposing that the shot from an Ely's cartridge would not have gone straight through the , keeper, and that it was a strange thing that no similar cartridges were found in the prisoner's possession. As to the footmarks, only one boot had been matched; and the threats the prisoner used against Bebbington, he urged, were idle and meaningless. Mr Justice Crowder, before whom the case was tried, in summing up the evidence said only one boot had been compared—the right one; but it was state& that the right footprints corresponded with the right boot, and if that boot belonged to the prisoner it was only reasonable to suppose that he was a person who was walking when those impressions were made. No evidence existed that anyone saw the deed committed; nor was the prisoner seen immediately walking alitay; but it would be on the circumstantial- facts that thejudgement of the jury would be founded. The jury retired, and after twenty-five minutes' deliberation found the prisoner guilty. •  The Pall Hall Gazette. says :—The advocates of capital punishment have every reason to hope that the confe.,sion of the roan in New Orleans of having cornmuted the murder of Bebbington in 1857 will not stand srerific ition. The murder was a poaching affray, and Blagg was hanged. The evidence against him was circumstantial, it appears; and, in particular, the footpri•its at the scene ot the murder corresponded with Bla,gg's shoes. But accord* to the New Orleans man he b_.rrowed Blagg's shoes. It would be absurd to attach any importance to the matter until it has been thoroughly tested. for nine confessions out of ten have nothing in them ; but, at any rate, there is material for a shilling shocker in the murderous affray the hanging of Blagg; the flight of the real criminal, his ultimate corifesion., and the revelation that he borrowed Blagg's shoes.'  £2O Tobaoconists commencing see Illustrated Guide ( 229 pages 3 stamps )• How to open respectably £2O and £l,ooo.—Tobacconists Outfitting Co. ( Registered ). chief office and show rooms, 186, Euston Road, London, N W. Wholesale only. £100.000,000