The Sun. — 1848-04-01 (London, England)

MAULE.) Matthew Davies, aged 42, was charged with the murder of his wife, on the 13th of October.  Mr. Wilmore prosecuted; Mr. Miller and Mr. Macauley defended. The prisoner lived with his' wife at Birmingham. She was an industrious hardworking woman, but 'on account of the brutality of her husband had been forced to take out articles of the peace against him. He, nevertheless, continued to ill-treat her, and she had expressed her intention of again applying to the magistrates for protection. The prisoner tried to dissuade her, but without effect, and on the day in question he spoke to her again, after having in vain tried to solicit the good offices of some relations in his behalf. On the 13th of October he, and his wife, and another female were in the back premises; his wife had been peeling potatoes, and was washing her hands, when the prisoner asked her not to go before the magistrate, and kept saying, " Will you, will you?" She replied she could. He then went behind her, and took hold of her head, as if (as one of the witnesses said) he was going to kiss her, and immediately cut her throat. She staggered forwards a yard or two, and fell down dead. There was no denying the fact that death was caused by the prisoner. The plea of insanity was set up, but failed, and the jury having returned a verdict of Guilty, The Learned JUDGE sentenced him to death, exhort ing him to pass the few remaining days left him in penitence and prayer. The case of the Queen v. Gutteridge is fixed for Monday, at ten o'clock. Three special juries, railway cases, are fixed for tomorrow (Saturday).  OXFORD ClRCUlT.—Gloucester, March 30. The business of these assizes commenced in both courts at twelve o'clock to-day, Mr. Justice Patteson presiding in the Civil Court and Sir C. Cresswell sitting in the Criminal one. There are about eighty prisoners fur trial. At Nisi Prius the cause hat has twenty-two cases entered, seven of which are for special juries, and will probably occupy much time in investigating them. E. Meek, 18, was indicted for breaking open the house of Thomas Meek, at West Dean, on the 10th of a shawl, a bonnet, and September, and stealing a gown, other articles. The prosecutor's wile left her house for a few hours, leaving the door properly secured, her husband having previously gone to his work On her return, at five o'clock, she found that the d. foor orcehadd been battered by some instrument, and the forced a appa, rently by a mattock which lay in the road near. Mrs. Meek went up stairs and discovered that some person had taken away the articles named in the indictment. Suspicion fell on the prisoner, who had been previously convicted of a similar robbery in the house of Mr. Reece, and a police.officer went in search of her. About two miles from West Dean, on the Blakeney-road, he overtook her, with two largo bundles, containing the stolen property, which consisted of the wearing-apparel of the wife of the prosecutor, who is brother of the prisoner. The jury found her Guilty, but recommended her to mercy. A previous conviction at the last assizes, on the 4th of August, 1847, a month before the commission of the crime for which she WAS tried to-day, was proved against her. She was sentenced to ono year's imprisonment. The causes at Nisi Prius were devoid of public interest.  --j-14.ivitizon4A/l/LaDrEciths3ooN..) Irish boy, was indicted 'rre.