The Sun. — 1845-09-12 (London, England)

THE MANSLAUGHTER AT NE  MARKET.  NEWMARKET, THURSDAY, FEB. 11.—The inquest on the bodr of Henry Thorns, killed on Saturday last by Richard Archer, in the matket-place of this town, being adjourned from Monday to this day, the streets, as the hour approached, became thronged with people, presenting a novel spectacle, Newmarket in the " dead season" being anything but lively. At ten o'clock the jury assembled at the Three Tuns, and some gentlemen connected with " the turf" being more or less concerned in the case, the room was crowded. Harry Wayman, Esq., coroner for the liberty, presided. Archer, who absconded immediately he heard of the death of Thorns, surrendered himself this morning, and was present during the examination.  Mr. Samuel Gamble and Mr. Beck, surgeons, deposed that they had re-examined the body, and had arrived at the conclusion that deceased met with his death by an effusion of blood to the brain, caused by the rupture of a blood.vessel produced by violence.  William Turner and James Sergeant saw the prisoner Archer knock the deceased down, h:s head striking heavily upon the large stones in the market-place.  Samuel Nunn:deposed that he saw Archer, Adams, Edward Edwards, and George Edwards standing together about ten minutes before the affair happened. Picked the deceased up when he fell. George Edwards walked away. Charles Boyce, saddler, deposed that on Saturday evening, about ten o'clock, Mr. Howlett and himself were riding together, and they met Archer. Howlett asked him something about a piano he had bought the day before at a sale, and both witness and Howlett observed that people were; wondering for whom he could have bought it. Archer said he understood Thorns had been saying something about it, and the first time he saw him, he'd "settle" or " nobble?' him. Never thought by that expression Archer intended to murder Thorns, but only to give him a thrashing. Witness told Archer not to think of striking Thorns, for he (Archer) was very powerful. Saw Archer again about one o'clock the same day with Alfred Fry and George and Edward Edwards, and saw Thorns come round into the market.. place. Heard some one cry out, " Archer, there he goes." Did not know who it was, but believed it was Edwird Edwards. Archer said nothing about Thorn's opposition to Edward Edwards in his bankruptcy.  James Barber Howlett, clerk to Mr. Isaacson, solicitor, of New. market, confirmed the evidence of the former witness, as far as ho himself was concerned. Heard nothing, however, about " set. tling" or" nobbling." Did not apprehend from Archer's manner that he intended any serious injury to the deceased. William Bell, druggist, was sent for by Thorns after the unfortunate attack upon him, and he said, amongst other things, it arose out of a piano Archer had purchased the day before for Mrs. Edward=.  Alfred Fry deposed that whilst walking with Charles Boyce and the two Edwards, Archer came rapidly up to them, and said " I'm afraid I have half killed him." Heard Edward Edwards cry" Archer" when Thorns came round the market-place. The prisoner declined to say anything, and the jury pronounced a verdict of " Manslaughter."