The Lancaster Herald, and Town and County Advertiser. — 1831-08-06 (Lancaster, Lancashire, England)

MURDER.  ROME ClRCUM—Before Mr. Jusrict Gaszter. On Friday week, Jew. Ai" Bird Bell, aged 14, was placed at the bar, and indicted for having, on the 4th of March, at Bridge-wood, with malice aforethought, killed and murdercd Richard Faulkner Taylor, by cutting his throat. The prisoner manifested not the slightest concern on appearing at the bar. Mr. Wsisa conducted the prosecution. The prisoner had no Counsel.  The circumstances of' this shocking case have been so recently before the Public, that it is unnecessary for us to present our readers with more than the evidence of the constable who apprehended Bell. Charles Pattison, a constable, who took the prisoner from Rochester to Maidstone, stated that as he brought the prisoner along, he(the prisoner) pointed to a pond by the road side, and said there's the pond where I washed my hands and the knife after I had done the crime." At this time they were not in conversation. After they had gone a short distance further on, the prisoner pointed to an opening in the wood—,. That leads to the place where I murdered the poor boy—dont you think he's better off than me, Sir ?" About 40 yards further on he pointed out a gap in the hedge through which he said he had come, with theinife open in his hand, after lie had done the murder. He then described the transaction very minutely. He said that when he first met with Taylor they went into a turnip field together, and ate a turnip each, that Taylor pared his turnip with his own knife in the field, and then they came out and walked along the road. He said, when lie first spoke to Taylor, he intended to murder him, and, under pretence of leading him home lie took him into the wood. When they came to the spot where he was found he told him that he had lost his way, upon which Taylor sat down upon the ground and cried.. Then he (the prisoner) sprung upon him, and cut his throat. He then took the money out of a little bag which was in his glove, but he had a good deal of trouble in doing it. In the bag there were three half crowns, a shilling and a sixpence. When he had got the money he became very much alarmed, and rushed out of the wood. On his way to the gaol lie also said that there would be no necessity for putting irons on him, for lie knew that he should suffer, and did not mean to attempt to get away. On another occasion he told the witness that he was sure that, if the deceased was dug up, his knife would be found wrapped up in his glove in one of his pockets, for that he saw him, after he had pared his turnip, wipe it, and put it up so. The body in consequence of this, was dug up, and in his pocket a knife and glove were found, as the prisoner had described. He also told witness that he sold the knife to a boy, named James Pen-in, and that, as he was going home from the wood, he met George Ellis. Mr. Justice GASELEE then proceeded to charge the Jury. He said he had no doubt the Jury, equally with himself, had never, in the course of their experience, found it their painful duty to investigate a case so afflicting as this was. It was a case which called for their most serious and patient investigation. After recapitulating the esidoice, his Lordship saidfie left the case to them, without, he Nl as sorry to say, having to find it necessary to submit any doubt to them arising out of it. If they, however, could suggest any doubt they would do so and give the prisoner the benefit of it.  The Jury almost immediately found the prisoner Guilty, but recommended him to mercy on account of his youth, and of the unnatural way in which his parents had brought  His Lordship then passed sentence of DEATH upon the prisoner, intimating to him that, notwithstanding his youth, his crime was so atrocious that no hope of mercy could be held out to him.