The Poole Telegram. — 1884-01-25 (Poole, Dorset, England)

MANSLAUGHTER AT POOLE. Vllhelin Gersoi Leman (18), seaman, was indicted for feloniously killing and slaylog Thomas James, of Parkstone, on November 24th. Prisoner, through his interpreter. pleaded " Not guilty," Mr. Badge appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Matthews for toe defence. Mr. Budge having briefly stated the cse for the prosecution. William Paull said he was a hawker, and lived at Poole. On November 24th he was at toe Coach publichowie with the deceased and other men, with the two Danes. They 14 t the house about 11 o'clock, and about 29 minutes afterwardsothey OiElli) up the Coach Lane. A man named Guthridge asked one of the Dense for some tobacoo. He replied he had no tobacco. Guthridge then said "You are only a -- Dutchman," and the Dane replied "A Dutchman is as good as a Englishman." A struggle followed, and the prisoner drew a knife. Witness made a "dab" at it, and prisoner struck at him, end hit the wall. Prisoner struck James with the knife, and he fell up against the wall. He was carried into Budden's house. Cross-examined : He saw Guthridge strike at the prisoner. He did not see James strike Christensen, the prisoner's companion. He did not think there would have been any row if the Danes had not been interfered with. It was all through Guthridge. Henry Parker, hawker, of Poole, was also at the publichouse. The prisoner and the other Dane c ems into the Coach and had something to drink. After they left he saw tnem in the lane. James was with witness. Hs corroborated the last witness as to the affair in the lane. Guthridge hit the prisoner, and James entitled with him. He heard a knite was drawn, and saw James leaning against the wall. The prisoner then hit James in the breast, and be fell to the ground. Prisoner and the other Dane were quite sober. Cross-examined : He Saw no knife from first to last. It was dark and rough, and they were all mixed up together. James was a tall man—much taller than the prisoner. Thomas AXen, mariner, of Poole, was present, but was not in c..mpany with the others. He oorroborated the other witnesses. Cross-examined: There was a row among some women at the entrance to the lane. Alfred Briggs, labourer, living at Poole, said he saw the prisoner at the Coach on the night in question. They were sober when they left. Dr. Veruede, M.R.C.S., of Poole, said on the night in question he went to the house of Mrs. Budden, and found James, who was dead. There was a wound over the cheek. There were other wounds on the body, one a deep one over the heart, to which he attributed the cause of death. He made a post mortens examine. tion, and found the heart was wounded. It was undoubtedly the cause of death. The wound might have been produced by a knife. Cross.examined : Tne tatetnent he had made that the,direction ,of the wound was inward and slightly upward must have been an error. He should have said downward. Whether upwards or downwards, it wise very alightly either way.  P.C. lieeke said on the morning after the affair he went on board the Juno and brought away the knife (produced.) (The knife was a long murderous looking inetrument, terminating in a very sharp point.) He showed tha knife to the prisoner, and hqaeid "That's mine," and Christensen said " No, it belongs to the ship." The knife was stained with fresh blood. Cross-examined : He woke to him several times in very good English. Beaken, stationed at Poole, proved finding James in a dying state and fetching the doctor. When he got back be was dead. He produoed the deceased's clothing in which were cuts in the breast and the arm. Croes-examined : He saw Christensen, who had a black-eye. He also noticed tiae prisoner's mouth y/1101 swollen. P.C. Horn proved arresting the prisoner on board the Juno. Cross-examined : Christensen's eye was blackened. and the prisoner's mouth was s Mr. Matthews then addre-o3ed the jury for the defence, arguing, in a very powerful speech, that there existed considerable doubt in the affair, and claiming for the prisoner the benefit of that doubt. The Jury could not agree, and retired. On their return, in the course of an hour, a verdict of "Not Guilty" was returned. The Judge (to the interpreter) : Tell bim he can go; but tell him, also, he must not nee the kale in England, at any rate. (The lad thee left the box.) It was incidentally mentioned in the Court that the Juno, the vessel to which the prisoner had belonged, has foundered, and all hands lost.