The Sun. — 1862-10-28 (London, England)

LAW ON MILITARY OFFENDERS.  Among the acts of Parliament passed in the late session was one for the more speedy trial of homicides committed by persons subject to the Mutiny Act, on persons under the same law. It will be recollected that some fearful crimes were committed by soldiers on their officers ; and the object of the law is to bring speedily to justice persons guilty of murder or manslaughter, committed under similar circumstances.  The act declares that the offences mentioned shall be inquired into with all convenent speed, and that the inquiry trial, and punishment, in certain cases, be more speedy than the usual course of practice ; and it further declares that it would contribute to the more speedy punishment of persons guilty, and to the maintenance of good order and military discipline if, when charged with murder or man • slaughter committed in England and Wales, and out of the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, such persons were rendered liaVe to be indicted, and tried at the Central Criminal Court, and if when charged with murder or manslaughter, committed in Ireland and elsewhere than in the county or city of Dublin, they were rendered liable to be tried in that capital. Fortunately no case has occurred since the act was passed to put it in motion, but it is provided that when a person of the above description mentioned is charged with the murder or, manslaughter of another under the same law, the Secretary at War may apply for, and a judge of the Court of the Queen's Bench may order, the accused tube tried at the Central Criminal Court. Upoß such order being made the prisoner is to be removed to Newgate, and for an offence in Ireland to Richmond Bridewell, in Dublin. Any person when convicted may be sentenced to be punished either in the county where the offence was committed, or within the jurisdiction of the court by which he is tried.  Further, the act provides for the payment of expenses to be incurred, and also of the prisoner's witnesses. The lastmentioned section states that whenever any prisoner is tried at any court under the act, the judges of the court may order the payment of the expenses of the witnesses on the part of the defence, and the Comm'ssioners of the Treasury are to pay the sum ordered out of the law charges. Her Majesty in Council may make orders to carry out the act; and perhaps some means will be adopted to prevent parties charged with cffences suffering by removal under the act as to the expenses.  The cases which occurred before the passing of the present act were of soldiers shooting their officers; and the offenders being kept some time in prison before they could be tried on the Circuit, the Government considered that such offences should be speedily tried, and the offenders punished without delay. Hence the new law, and it is to be hoped that a long time may elapse before it will be necessary to enforce its provisions. But a knowledge of the new law is necessary, and both officers and soldiers in the army should bo informed that for either murder or manslaughter an offender can now be speedily brought to trial, and, if convicted, suffer the deserved punishment without delay.