The Sun. — 1827-04-13 (London, England)

LINT ASSIZES.  WESTERN CIRCUIT-TAUNTON, ARIL 16. CROWN COURT. ♦TTIYPT OF ♦ HUSBAND TO POISON' HIS 'WIFE.  /12;. Hockey was indicted for having feloniously administered to his wife, Mary Hockey, a certain deadly poison, with intent to murder her, at Horsington, near Wincanton. Mary Hockey.—l am the wife of the prisoner, and have been married 17 years. On Monday the 12th of March he went off to work early in the morning. (The woman here seemed deeply affected, and a chair was brought to her.) He said he would return on Saturday evening; he returned on Tuesday evening at about half-past six o'clock ; I think he said he had dreamt I was ill; he behaved very well, very kind to me; he always behaved very well to me. (The Judge warned her, that however painful to her feelings, she must speak the truth, as she was upon her oath.) I cannot say that he ever gave me rough usage. We drank tea together ; he said he thought there would not be too much tea for my own breakfast next morning. We went to bed about nine o'clock ; he rose about half-past six ; I got up at five, and sent my son to work about half-past five. I lighted my fire, and did what I had to do. I stayed up stairs about a quarter of an hour; when I had returned down stairs, the tea-things were put on the table. I dont believe there was more than one tea-cup on the tray. The lea-caddy was on the shelf, and the tea-pot on the table. I went to the shelf to get another tea-cup and saucer. He told me he should go to Frith to breakfast, for he considered there was not too much for myself. It was not his habit to put out the breakfast things, except I was ill. Ido not remember his having done so. My little girl is twelve years old. I was not in the room when the water was put in the tea-pot. I drank some of the tea. I asked him to have some: he told me he should go to Frith, and said he had some tobacco in his mouth. I had not drank any tea whilst he was there ; he stayed less than a quarter of an hour after I poured out the tea. I took neither sugar nor milk in my tea. There were sonic little bits of stuff sailing about on the top of the tea. I drank the cup of tea, and took a second cup afterwards. I found myself grow ill before I got up from the table. I found myself a very little ill after drinking the first cup. My daughter did net drink any of the tea. I spoke to my daughter about the tea. I looked into the bottom of the tea-cup, and saw something there. I did not know what it was; it was of a light colour. I was very sick afterwards, and vomited a good deal. I sent my daughter for some salts. I took them and afterwards drank some mint tea. I was very ill, but did not know the cause. I went to William Chorley's, who was my neighbour, more than half an hour after I drank the tea. My daughter went with me. I had no great difficulty to get there. I took the tea-cup with me out of which I had drank the tea, with the grounds in it. I vomited after I took the salts, and at Wm. Chorley's house. I found myself very hot in my inside. My mouth was very hot. fremained at Wm. Chorley's house three or four hours. They sent for Jane Wadman. There had been no disagreement between me and my husband just before this time.  Cross-examined.----There was no quarrel at this time between ;my husband and me. We had a great many mice in the house: My husband talked at one time of having some stuff to poison mice. Ido believe that some was had. I know it. I believe I did ask my husband to get out the breakfast things. I do not know whether my husband was out or not whilst I was up stain. I did not rinse the second cup. Ido not know if I did the first. There was only a very small quantity of tea. Nothing had passed before this between my husband and me to cause me to entertain any personal apprehensions from him. The witness was desired to withdraw, when she said—" My Lord, I hope you will have mercy on ray poor husband. He always behaved very well to me."