The Express. — 1862-10-29 (London, England)

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.  (THIS DAY.)  OLD COURT. (Before the Lord Chief Baron.) Edward Cramp/tem 30, gardener, was indicted for feloniouily and maliciously stabbing and wounding Bridget Mary Hartnett with intent to murder her. Ina second count the prisoner's intent was said to be to do the prosecutor some grievous bodily harm. Mr. Clerk and Mr. Beasley conducted the prosecution on behalf of the Treasury. The prisoner had no counsel. The offence imputed to the prisoner was of a very aggravated character. It appeared that the prisoner aid the prosecutrix had been acquainted with each other for some years. In the course of last year the prisoner, who had MOD married, became a widower, and shortly after that he appeared anxious to marry the prosecutrix, and spoke to her and her friends about it, and she was told by them that they did not think she would regret it ; consequently they were in the habit of meeting continually, and it was agreed that they should be married in the mouth of August last. At that time, however, some charges were made against the prisoner by some one to the prusecutrix and her friends, and she said she could not think of marrying him. The prosecutrix's brother informed the prisooer, and he said he would marry her. The brother said he should not with his consent, and the prisoner said he would marry her without. The prose. cutrix, it appeared, was a catholic, and the priest had die. goaded her from marrying the prisoner, and she having told him this, he became a catholic. They continued to meet occasionally after this, and on the night on which the occurrence took place, the prosecutrix went to the house where the prisoner lodged, and when he came home from work he said would see her home, but she declined to have his company. He said he wished to speak to her, but she still declined, sod left the house. The prisoner, however, followed her, and he shortly after met the brother of the prosecutrix, and had some beer with him. After that it appeared that he again asked the proeecutrix to let him speak a word with her, but the again declined, and said she would have nothing more to with him, and ran away. The prisoner ran after her, and said " Then I'll kill you," and he drew a clasp knife from his pocket, and stabbed her on the left side of her chest, and as she was running he struck her two or three times with the knife. She called out, and her brother, who was near, went to her assistance, and the prisoner struck him several times with the knife, and inflicted several wounds about his body, at the saws time saying " Now I've had my revenge." When the prisoner was taken into custody a large clasp knife, with marks of blood still wet upon it, was found upon him. When told by the police-constable what the charge was against him he said he washed he had killed them, then he should Dave been happy. The surgeon said the injuries which the prosecutrix bad received were of a very dangerous character, and for ten days her life was in danger. The prisoner, in defence, said that when he was very young he was in the service of a gentleman, and while out shooting with him he got shot, and some of the shots were still in his heed. The consequence of this was that when he got a little to drink lie lost his senses. He had kept company with the young woman, and bad given her money from time to time to get things which she required, and he had bought the ring, which he rave her to take care of, after which she laughed at him, and set her friends to do the same. On the night in question he was drunk, and did not know st all what had happened. The Lord Chief Baron having summed up, the jury, without any heed:dims found the prisoner GetifY of wounding, with intent to murder.  Ms Judge, in 'missing sentence, said the prisoner had been found guilty, upon• what he thought very clear evidence, of a mat serious crime, and one which called for a very severe punishment. if the statement which he bad made were true, be might, perhaps, procure a remission of the punishment. He then sentenced him to 20 years' penal servitude.