Star. — 1830-07-30 (London, England)

JULY 28. (Before Mr. Baron V•vesuaix.) Hannah Willis was indicted for the wilful murder of her female child, at Trowbridge, on the 28th of March last. From the evidence it appeared that the prisoner was an inoi. vidual of most exemplary character up to the time of that which gave rise to the present investigation. On the day mentioned in the indkuneat she was delivered of • female child, which she concealed in a box, none of her friends suspecting that she was I. the family way. In the evening of that day she informed her friends of what had occurred, and subsequently a coroner's inquest was held, and they brought in a verdict of wilful murder. On the child being anatomised, there were found behind the left ear an extensive bruise, and the parts considerably swollen and discoloured; there was also an indentation which the surgeon said could never have been duced by natural causes ; but another being of opinion that it mittltt have occurred accidentally, the Jury acquitted her of the cap tal offence, but found her guilty of concealing the birth, and she was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and hard labour. Richard Chipp was indicted for the wilful murder of Robert Coles, of St. Thomas, in this city, on the 23d of June. Mr. Itlisaing, with whom was Mr. Manning, stated the case to the Jury. Ruben Curtis examined.—l am a shoemaker, living in this city. I was at the Rose public-house on the 22d of June last; the de• ceased was there ; he came in after me, Tura came in after. Chin), was then there. Turner offered a net for sale to Coles. Some beer i was ordered and paid for by Cole, and Turner and Chippe partook of 'it. A d spute atter took place between Chipp and ColaChipp said he had broken Coles' nose at the Bell, and d—n his eyes If he would'nt break it again. Cole said he never took a challenge be' fore and would not take that, and got up and stripped to his skin. Chipp pulled off every thing but his flannel shirt. Coles said pull off your flannel shirt. Chipp said he would not. Colts then said he would not fight unless he took off his flannel shirt. Chipp mid he wouldn't. Coles said it is no battle, patients% I shan't fight. Chipp got up before him, and said, I've a good mind to give you one • both then had their shirts. Chipp then took him by the neei, ran into him, and threw him over his left shoulder. Coles fell to the ground. Chipp's knees pitched on Coles' bowels He then took bold of the hair of his head, and beat it on the ground. Coles was struggling to get up, but he would not let him. The de. ceased was taken up ; he was not able to stand, and put into the stable, and from thence taken to his home, and then to the Infirmary. Mr. Miles.--I am a surgeon, and atterded the deceased on the 22d of June, between four and five. He was then in the stable, lying on his back groaning. He told me his name was Coles, and I advised his being removed home. He complained of great pain in the lower part of his abdomen. I wished him to be re. moved to the Infirmary. Called on him again at ten. He had passed about half a pint of pure blood from his bladder. He was afterwards removed to the Infirmary. Mr. Sampson, surgeon, attended the deceased at the Ink. wary, where he died on the Friday following. I found the bladder had been ruptured, and I attribute his death to the rupture of the bladder. . . _  ...- ----The prisoner called witnesses in his defence ; but all who were present at the time gave a similar version of the affair as the witnesses for the prosecution. 11,1 r. Baron VAUGHAN summed up. He was of opinion that there was not sufficient evidence to constitute the crime of murder. The Jury found a verdict of Guilty of the Manslaughter. He was sentenced to one year's imprisonment, and hard labour. George Hcod, Samuel Hood, and John Hood, a father and two sons, and very respectable-looking men, were indicted, the former for maliciously stabbing one John Staples, while aiding and assisting Edward Dowdey in the execution of his office of tythingman, and the other two for aiding and abetting him. After a tedious trial, the jury having consulted for some time, returned the following verdict : Samuel Hood—Not Guilty. George Hood—Guilty. John Hood—Not Guilty. The Jury recommended the prisoner George Hood to mercy. Judgment of Death was recorded against him.