Star. — 1814-09-17 (London, England)

MURDER OF MISS WELCHMAN. Janet Mitchell was then put on his trial. The indictment charged him with having wilfully murdered Miss Mary Ann Welchman, with a certain pistol, loaded with powder and ball, in the parish of St. Mary-la-bonne, on the 4th of August last. Mr. WALFOND having opened the case, Mr. GURNEY proceeded with his usual eloquence to state the circumstances of the atrocious act imputed to the prisoner. The prisoner, he observed, had introduced hiftself to the deceased, a few months back, by shewing her some civility during a shower of rain in the street. He then represented himself to be the purser of a large ship in his Majesty's service; and as his appearance did not afford around for a different contlusion, he was received in that light, and became a constant visitor to the deceased, to whom he paid his addresses in the most ardent Manner. The brother of the deceased, however, perceived something in the conduct of the ,prisoner which led to an unfavourable impression, and on in. 'quirt', it was ascertained that he had in truth never held a higher rank in society than that of a gentleman's servant. This discovery, of course, gave reason for objection to the farther obtrusion of the prise. ner ; 'but be persisted in his visits down to the evening of the 4th of August, on which the melancholy scene of which he was the author was exhibited. The Learned Counsel then proceeded to describe the minute circumstances which preceded the horrid deed, and remarked, that although he should not be able to prove that the prisoner actually fired the pistols which caused the death of the deceased, yet he should be able most clearly to establish his guilt by facts of a el:annum:dal nature, from which it must be inferred that he bad gone to the deceased with the diabolical deterinketion to deprive her of life, and that he had (tarried his atrocious iatention &to effect. The witnesses to support the charge were then { called : Miss Mary Macey deposed, that on the 4th of Au-1 pst last she lived at No. 27, Mount-street, Groove. nor-square; was a dress-maker; knew the deceased 'Miss Welchman; she had been in her employment about three years; the prisoner came to her house on the cretin gibe 4th of August; be bad been there freqtreneWbefove ; he wet by the same of Smith. He came a little before eight in the evening, and was sheen: into the work-room, which communicated with the front-room. The house in which the witness lodged belonged to Mr. Watkins. At the time the prisoner went into the work-room, witness, Miss Welchman (the deceased), Miss Maynard, Mary Sisson, and Miss Kew were present; on coming in, the prisoner sat down very quietly. The deceased accused him of having taken a pair of her scissars, upon which he became very impertinent. They all then left the room, except the deceased, and went into the front room. While in the front room, witness heat d the prisoner invite the deceased out to supper; she would not.go; he then wished her to send out for salmon, that they might have supper at home; she would not; did not hear any thing else. When dine work, witness went again into the room„ where the deceased and prisoner were ; she desired the prisoner to go ; he said he would not go till Miss' Welchman bad given him a letter which she had of him. Miss Welchman said she had destroyed it. 'Witness then left them together, and with the other young women went down to supper. The deceased and the prisoner were alone. When she left the front room, both windows were shut, and the shutters were boltid. They went down to supper in the kitchen. In about five minutes the deccabM came down to tl.:on, aid ~aid she must return to the prisoner, and that she believed she should soon get him out. In five minute: more was alarmed by the screams of the deceased. Heard the reports of two pistols ; ran up stairs, but not further than the parlour, where she stopped. Did not see the prisoner any more that :f he street-door was shut ;" she did not hear n opea. Cron-examined Ly Mr.