The Express. — 1867-03-27 (London, England)

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.  HOME CIRCUIT.-KINGSTON, MARCH 26.  James Longhurtl. 21, a sullen, stupid looking country lad, was charged with the wilful murder of Jane Sax, by cutting her throat. Serjeant Robinson and Mr. Straight conducted the prosecution ; Hr. Oppenbeim was counsel for the defence. This case stood over from the summer assizes last year, upon an application that was made on behalf of the prisoner for a postponement, in order to afford an opportunity to bring forward evidence to show that the prisoner was not in a sound state of mind at the time the offence that was imputed to him was committed. The facts of the case lay in a very narrow compass, and were perfectly conclusive as to the guilt of the prisoner. They may be stated in the words of the deceased in a deposition she made on the morning of her death. "On the same day I was brought to this hospital I met the prisoner in • field that leads from Shore to Comshall. The prisoner was holding open • gate, and as I passed through he laid hold of me, and squeezed me and laid me down in the field and laid a-top of rue a little while. He then picked me up and took me into a wheat field close by, and threw me down, and put his hand up my clothes. I cried out and he tried to choke me. When he was holding open the gate I saw • knife in his band, and whilst I was in the wheat field he cut me with the knife, and I called out to David Edam., and he came. The prisoner is the boy, I an quite sure he is the boy who did it." These were the principal facts given in evidence, and there did not appear to be the least doubt as to the guilt of the prisoner, not only of the specific offence of which he was accused, but that he had previously attempted to violate the person of the unfortunate child whose life had been sacrificed to his brutality. The jury, after being in deliberation about half an hour, returned into court and found the prisoner Qui/tv. They at the some time recommended him to mercy, on the ground that the act had bees committed without premeditation.  Sentence of death was passed in the usual form. The moment the judgment was given, the prisoner became exceedingly violent. He threw hie cap to the floor, and exclaimed, " What am I to be hung for? I have done nothing !" and he attempted to strike and kick the warders who were in the dock. It was with considerable difticulty that he was remowil to the cells below.  MA NcEEETICR END LIVERPOOL AORICULTITRAL Rocirri.—The committee appointed to arrange for the centenary meeting of this society held a meeting yesterday, at the Mayor's Parlour, Town Hall, Manchester, the Mayor in the chair. The sub-committee appointed to inspect the sites proposed for the Exhibition reported that they had visited three.—The site of the late Art Treasures Exhibition, which was everything that could be desired but for the nature of the soil,which would hardly do in case of wet weather ; Eersal.moor, and Traffordpark. The latter they considered best from the nature of the soil and its approaches, if Sir Humphrey de Trafford, who had always beer most liberal to the society, would grant its use on this occasion. A sub-committee was appointed to wait upon Sir Humphrey de Trafford. After some discussion it was agreed to lix the 10th, 11th, and 12th of August for the Centenary Exhibition.