The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1865-03-25 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

STABBING BY A LOVER.  At the Manchester assizes William Gray, aged 20, was charged with havirc, at Salford, on the Ist of February, IS2I, wounded Jane Elliott with intent to murder, and a second count charged Mai with Intent to do grievous bodily harli  According to the learned counsel's openingstatement, and the evidence, the prisoner and the prosecutrix were on the footing of "sweethearts," and from the tone of two or three letters which passed between them, it seemed that jealousy was unfortunately the motive Which led to the offence charged against the prisoner. To be as favourable as possible to the prisoner, it might perhaps be said that the prosecutrix had been coquetting and trifling with him, and on the Ist. of February, early in the morning she was met by him in Stephen-street, as she was delivering newspapers for her father, who is a newsvendor. Suddenly the prisoner's arres•were thrown round- her neck, and she . . '  received several steam. There were two wounds in the throat.,. and as many as 21 wounds on the arms and hands, received in he struggles from the violence of the prisoner. She was picked up by some one in the street, and taken home in a fainting state. The largest wound was behind the left ear ; it WU four inches long and three quarters of an inch deep. The prisoner was captured.by another passer by on the other side of the street, and he .seemed to be very excited, As soon as he was taken he said, "You had better taice me to the police office ;, 1 phall have to go there." The learned counsel then read four letters, to from the prisoner"; two from the prosecrudix. The first was ,from the prisoner, complaining of the psosecntor's coldness in not meeting him oftener, reminding her how often he had asked her in vain to meet him, and hoping she was not going to give up his company. lier reply was then read, in which she said she was too young to keep any man's company,' and that she was, in fact, but & child. He then wrote her another letter, speaking in rather touching terms of his affection for her, and again imploring her not ,to refuse to keep his company. Both letters from the prosecrntrik were found in the prisoner's pockets, and the following is a verbatim copy of the fast reply, which probably caused the prisoner to dommit the violence for which he had now to answer : •  Jaynut,ry 30, 1865.  William grey I receive your letter at Monday at noop I dont wish to keep you company With you they is another young man Waiting for me i dont know who to have they Is so many they is one every day and tee for Sunday. (Laughter.) I Intend being scarred to before a five years, i am na get matted to a nice gent like myself —(langhter)— So it will find me coming to do. 1 love one no dearly I dont 100 what to do, and he loves me the same if i do ft get one to get married I dont intend to Wate of you unless I change my mind ssme as the wind. I know we have pass a many happy hours together I dont Wont to puss any more with you, and don't let it trouble you with reading it i wrs not thinking about that morning at all Witch you in shelving to In porn last letter 1 dont Wont any more bouther With you if you Wont to get marred go and marred some ono else dont Wont you if you like met dont like you and please not to send any more letter I debt Wont you 1 c in go with tole now if i like and many a one them that Is deeply in love the (they) do no go id lam in love and not used to it. (Loud .laughter) ',suppose you the same Wy If you err ea bad as me it is get help, you i carnt sleep for love (laughter) but Bare sharnt be able to do my week i hope you Will get out of love so gOOd by so no more at present from JANE ELLIoTT I hope you will