The Sun. — 1837-08-11 (London, England)

CHAMBERS—The hat was put on the head of the prisoner, and then I felt more convinced. William Partridge, a constable, went with Mr. Walker, the prosecutor, to the tent, and he was induced to do so on account of the frock, which he knew to belong to Charley (Bedser), whom he had known all his life. Bedser was lying at the mouth of the tent, upon a bag and cloth, with the knife produced near his breast. He started up and was about to " bolt" when witness said " Stop, Charles, don't run away, you are my prisoner." He replied, " Then I'il be d—d if I dont fight for it." Upon that witness pulled out a pistol, and said to him (Bedser), " The first man that offers resistance I'll blow his brains out." The other male prisoner then made off, and eventually Bedser escaped. Frederick Corisbee, a constable at Cobham, stated that he lives near the house of the prosecutor, from which, on the morning named, he heard the cry of " Murder." He went forthwith, and found the family in a state of consternation, and the house in disorder. The window had been broken, and he found the hat, cap, and frock, now produced. He knew it to be Bedser's frock because the buttons were put on outside instead of inside. That circumstance led him to go to the tent where the property was discovered. He was not there with Walker and Partridge. Several other witnesses were called, in order to prove the capture of Bedser, who on one occasion ran away handcuffed, and to prove the possession of other property not alluded to by the witnesses. The case for the prosecution having closed, Mr. ESPINASSE addressed the jury for Biggs and his alleged wife, and submitted that the woman must be acquitted, as in law she would be supposed to act under the controul of her husband. Besides, she was indicted as being a receiver. If she was an offender at all she was a thief. Mr. GASELEE addressed the jury on behalf of Bedser, and submitted that the property being found in a tent, the owner of which had not been shown, was at the best only a presumptive proof that that prisoner was a guilty possessor. The jury retired for nearly half an hour, and then returned with a general verdict of Guilty against all the prisoners excepting the girl Sims. This announcement appeared to surprise every one, his Lordship not excepted, and he recommended the panel to retire and re-consider, especially as to the woman Biggs, for unless she was viewed as a guilty receiver she could not be convicted. The Jury, after a further consultation, returned with a verdict of Guilty. After much consideration his Lordship ordered the officer of the Court to call upon the male prisoners to state any reason they might have why judgment of death should not be recorded against them.—They all stood mute. The Learned Judge then told Bedser that his life would be spared; and with respect to the other male prisoners, although the same judgment would be recorded their ultimate punishment would be duly considered. His Lordship then sentenced the woman Biggs to be transported for seven years. The trial occupied nearly the whole day, and, with the exception of one case, terminated the business of the Crown Court.