The Sun. — 1847-08-11 (London, England)

ERLE.) Mr. Justice Erie entered the Crown Court, which was densely crowded, at nine o'clock this morning, when John Skinner, aged 30, was arraigned on an indictment, charging him with the wilful murder of Sarah Skinner, his wife, at Clifton, on the Ist of June. Mr. Skinner conducted the prosecution, and Ur. Haddleston defended the prisoner.  It appeared that the prisoner occupied, with his wife and two children, a room on the third story of the house, No. 4, Limekiln-lane, Bristol, and it would seem, from the general tenor of the evidence, was in the habit of ill-using his wife. On the evening preceding the day named in the indictment, her brother Irving called to see them, and the deceased complained of being ill, which she said had been caused by falling off a ladder, giving at the same time a significant lock at her husband. On the evening of the Ist of June, which was Tuesday, the day of the death of the unfortunate woman, Irving again called on them about half past seven o'clock, when his sister complained of bruises. She did not say how they had been caused, but her husband said he had beaten her. The husband was then poorly, and was lying on the bed. Irving observed that the hearth brush was broken, and asked how it occurred ? The prisoner said he had broken it on Sally (meaning his wife). Irving said it was a shame a family should quarrel in such a way. A few more observations of a similar nature passed, and the prisoner then ordered Irving out of the house, and got up from the bed to put him out by force. His sister clung to him, ando would dbemgguerdder hihmenno Theyt to go, as if he did the prisoner all three struggled together, and fell on the floor. The prisoner eventually got up, w ran to the cupboard, took out a knife, and forced Irving out of the room down three or four stairs. He then returned to the room, and in a minute afterwards heard a crash. He went down stairs and saw his sister lying on the pavement, outside the house, covered with blood, and supported by a woman. He went for a policeman, and the body was carried into tho house. She breathed twice, and then expired. The body, in a bending position, was observed by a witness falling from the upper window. As it came down, it turned wat is called a surnmerset, the heels striking the lower window, and the body falling on the head. A man in the prisoner's room was afterwards observed to put his arm out, and close the window from which the deceased, who was rather a powerful woman, had fallen. The policeman went up stairs to the prisoner, who asked where his wife was. The officer told him she was lying dead down stairs, on which he lifted up his hands and gave a smile. These were the facts of the case, as proved at great length by the witnesses called for the prosecution. Mr. HUDDLSSTON, on the part of the prisoner, called an intelligent boy named Daniel Clanney, who deposed that he slept on the landing, near the prisoner's room, on the evening in question, and was awoke by hearing Irving and Skinner scuffling and fighting. He got out of bed, and got on a chair, when he saw the unfortunate deceased catch hold of the top of the window and throw herself out backwards, as the prisoner was re-entering the room. The prisoner betrayed no emotion, but closed the window, and went to bed, where he remained until the officer came up to him. The lad was cross-examined at great length as to the facts he had deposed, but his testimony was not at all shaken.  Mr. SKINNER having replied, His LORDSHIP carefully Summed up, and The jury, after some deliberation, returned a verdict of Not Guilty, which was received with considerable surprise in court. The trial occupied nearly six hours.