The Sun. — 1848-03-03 (London, England)

CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.)  OLD COURT.  THE MURDER OF TIIE SOLDIER IN ST.  JAMES'S-PARK.  The Court was opened this morning at ten o'clock before Mr. Commissioner Bullock and Alderman Gibbs. The Learned Judges, the Lord Chief Baron, ar.d Mr. Justice Coltman shortly afterwards took their seats on the bench. Anntdie Meyers was then placed at the bar on an indictment charging her with the wilful murder of Henry Ducker, a private soldier in the 2,11 battalion of the Coldstream Guards, by discharging a loaded pistol at him. The prisoner, an interesting young woman, when first placed at the bar, betrayed but small symptoms of emotions, but in the course of the proceedings appeared to be very much affected. Mr. BODKIN conducted the case on behalf of the prosecution, and went through the statement of facts, which have already nppeared from time to time in The Sun, as given in evidence before the inquest and at the police office.  The first witness called was Samuel Belcher (examined by Mr. CLARKE), a private in the 2d battalion of the Coldstream Guards. He stated tkat he knew the deceased. He saw him at the barrack gate at about halfpast four. He observed the prisoner about three or four yards from the deceased, following slowly after him. He did not hear anything pass between them. He heard the report of fire-arms, but did not turn back himself. Cross-examined by Mr. CLARKSON, counsel for the prisoner—He did not belong to tho same company as the deceased. Did not know that he promised to marry the prisoner. He recollected the deceased being in prison several times for drunkenness, and upon one occasion for desertion. John Garwood (examined by Mr. BODKIN), said that on the 4th of February he came out of the barracks with the deceased. He had seen the prisoner in company with the deceased upon the 3d of February, between the hours of five and seven in the evening. He did not hear the prisoner speak to the deceased. Ile heard the report of a pistol about a quarter of an hour after leaving the barracks; he turned round and saw the deceased fall upon his face. Sarah Sexton, residing at 29, West Pimlico, stated, on the 4th of February, le was walking along the Birdcage-walk, about five o clock in the afternon, when she saw the prisoner fire a pistol at a soldier. The prisoner was about ten yards from the soldier when she discharged the pistol. The soldier fell, and the prisoner threw down the pistol and walked away. Henry Green was in the enclosure of the Park when he heard the report of a pistol, and saw the deceased fall. The prisoner was holding the pistol in her hand. She threw it down, and walked away towards the Palace. He saw the prisoner apprehended by a policeman, to whom she said that she tfad done it, and intended to have done it, or words to that effect. William Low, a policeman, proved apprehending the prisoner, and her stating to him " that she had done it, and had intended to have done it for some time," and asked him whether " he was dead." 11. Thompson, a sergeant in the second battalion of Coldstream Guards, proved the finding of several letters in the knapsack of the deceased. He knew the deceased's handwriting. He could not say positively whether the letters produced were in the handwriting of the deceased. The LORD CHIEF BARON said that in such an imp ortant case as the present it would not be sufficient to have a mere opinion on the subject of the handwriting„ That point ought to be confirmed by the most satisfactory evidence. Cross-examined by Mr. CLauxsox—The deceased had been confined for being absent without leave from his regiment, and had been several times confined for misconduct. Bickersteth, police-inspector, proved taking down the charge at the station-house. The prisoner gave him several letters and a pistol bag. Those produced were the same. Mrs. Curtis proved that the prisoner had been in her service about fourteen days when this occurrence took  place. Joseph Claxton, assistant surgeon to the Coldstream Guards, stated that he examined the deceased, and kiLld o wound en th© back of the bead, and a cor