The Sun. — 1854-03-09 (London, England)

GUILDHALL.—.Tames Tucker was charged with embezzling various sums, amounting in all to about 601. He was further charged with shooting at his master, Mr. Umpleby, with intent to kill him.  Mr. George William Umpleby said---I am a woollendraper, of 118, Holborn-hill. The prisoner was a traveller in my employ until January last. I met him in the Kingsland-road yesterday, and accompanied him into High-street, Shoreditch, where I gave him into custody for embezzlement. He was taken to the police-station in Smithfield, and while I was making the charge I stood with my back to the prisoner. The inspector told the officer to search the prisoner, and while he was advancing to do so I heard the report of a pistol, and at the same instant felt the ball graze my head. I had my hat off at the time. The ball went through the window and struck the wainscot in the passage. Inspector Teague said—While I was entering the charge Mr. Umpleby had his head close to mine, and was giving me the amounts not accounted for. I felt a shock and a painful sensation passing over my head. I also heard an explosion coming from the direction of the dock in which the prisoner was standing. On turning round, I observed a pistol in his hand, and immediately went round to the prisoner, and, with the assistance of the officers, threw him down on the ground, fearing he had other weapons concealed upon his person. Thorpe 193 G, picked up the pistol, and Casey, 284, found the bullet, both of which I now produce. I found that the bullet or something else had passed through the window and struck the beading of the framework in the passage. We had a sharp struggle to secure the prisoner, and I afterwards said to him, " Why do you try to shoot me ?" and he replied, " I did not mean it for you—l intended it for my master." Prisoner—l only said, " 1 did not intend it for you." Inspector Teague—The very words you used were, " I did not intend it for you ; I intended it for him." Susan Marshall, the female searcher, said—l heard the report of a pistol last night, and went into the charge room. I heard the prisoner say, pointing to Inspector Teague, " I did not mean it for that gentleman ; it was for the other."  Prisoner —I beg leave to contradict what she has stated about my saying it was intended for the other. Thorpe, 193 G, said—lnspector Teague told me to search the-prisoner; and I was about to do so when he  drew his hand from his pocket, and discharged a pistol , in the direction of the window behind the inspector and the prosecutor. It was done so instantaneously that I could not perceive what he had in his hand until after the explosion. The prisoner, having been remanded on the charge of embezzlement, in reply to the more serious charge said-I was at the West-end yesterday, and purchased the pistol, with no other object in view than because it was cheap. I took it to a gunsmith to get it repaired, and it was returned to me loaded. I had not the slightest intention of committing murder; but being in the station with a loaded pistol in my possession, I thought I would discharge it. If I had wished to have taken the life of the prosecutor I had ample opportunities of doing so long ago ; but I had no such intention. Alderman Muggeridge—That is no defence to the charge againstyou. I shall therefore commit you for trial upon the charge of attempting to murder.