The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1875-08-13 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

MONDAY. THE CARDIFF MURDER.  George Richards, pilot, was indicted for feloniously, wilfully, and of malice aforethought, killing and murdering one Mary Jane Richards, his wife, at Cardiff on the 27th March, 187&"._ _  Mr. B. Allen prosecuted, and Mr. W. B. Rowlands, instructed by Mr. Ensor, of Cardiff, defended the prisoner. Mr. B. Allen, in opening the ease, said the inquiry upon which they were about to enter was one of the most solemn that could be, the prisoner having to stand at the bar for having caused the death of his wife. He had also made an attempt upon his own life, but that subject would not be introduced into Leis case. The prisoner had been living with a family named Colston, a greengrocer, at Cardiff. Ile was there with his wife and a young child. It appears that the, prisoner had been out of work far some tint and depended nearly entirely for subsistence upon the assistance tif some friends. The wife had been unwell, and Was in the habit, when she equired assistance, of knocking the wall to call the attention of a person named Ann Colston who slept next door. On the morning of the 2; th of March Ann Colston heard knocks at the wall and groans proceeding from the prisoner's room. She got out of bed and went into the room of the prisoner, whom she saw lying on the bed with his wife covered in blood, At this time she was so frightened that she ran from the room crying "murder." when her father, hearing the cries, ran to her, and afterwards went into the prisoner's room, He there found the prisoner aud his wife lying in bed covered with blood. She was suffering from two wounds in her throat, and it would be for them to say whether there could be. any possible doubt whether the prisoner had not given the wounds which were the cause of her death. A policeman was sent for, and after some search a knife, besmeared with fresh blood, was knurl under the bed. He did not think there could be any doubt but that the prisoner did the deed with which he was charged, and the only question the jury wield have to consider would be as to the state of mm of the prisoner when the deed was committed. He was sure they would give the case the consideration which it deserved. Witnesses were then called to prove the assertions of Mr. Allen, and Mr Rowlands then ad. . .  dressed the court, and called Dr. Paine, of Cardiff, with a view of proving that the prisoner was of unsound mind. His Lordship then addressed the jury, who, after nearly an hour's absence, returned a verdict of guilty. His Lordship, having put on the black cap, said he (the prisoner) had been found guilty of having murdered his wife, and for it he must the. •He could not hold out any mercy to him, nor must he expect it, and he would advise him to ask mercy of Ahnighty God, whose mercy passeth man's understanding. His Lordship then passed sentence according to the prescribed rule. The prisoner was accommodated with a seat during the progress of the triaL He appeared perfectly indifferent to what was taking place, and while the sentence was being passed did not move a muscle of his face.  817.