Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1879-07-19 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

ASSIZES.  THE WIFE MURDER A.T GORTON.  On Thursday, before Mr Justice Bowes, Robert Thorneley, (rJ, was arraigned for having at Got, tm. on the 15th June, wilfully murdered his wife, h trait Ann Therneley. Mr Addison prosecuted, aid Mr Leresche appeared for the defence. The I..isoner was assisted into the dock by two wards, is, and was at once placed on a chair. He ap psared to be exceedingly weak, and to have s dered from some severe illness since his committal. The Clerk of Assize )Mr Shuttleworth) read the indictment to him, and asked him to plead. /Her considerable hesitation the prisoner replied Guilty, I think." The prisoner was again asked whether he was guilty or not guilty, and he made auswer "Guilty." the Lordship then directed 1 that the surgeon of the gaol (Mr. C. H. Braddon) should be sent for. At this point the prisoner s I counsel came into court, and after apologising for having been detained in the other court, said he understood that the prisoner had auswesed to the arraignment..  His Lordship : I have sent for the surgeon of the gaol, and I think you bad better say nothing till he romes. _  Mr. draddon then came into court and was sworn. His Lordship (to wttness): Have you seen the prisoner this morning? Mr. Braddon : I have not seen him this morning, my Lord; I saw him yesterday. At the request of the judge, the witness then went into the dock and stood beside the prisoner. His Lordship : Will you be good anon rh to re. peat to the prisoner what the officer of the court asks him?  The Clerk of Assize then asked the prisoner to plead, and the question was repeated by Mr. Brad. don In reply the prisoner again pleaded guilty. His Lordship (to the surgeon) Do you think that the prisoner understands the nature of the question put to him Mr. Brandon: I do my Lord, I think he thoroughly understands it. His Lordship : That he is charged with the wilful murder of his wife ?  Mr. Brandon : I will ask him. (To the prisoner :) Do you understand thoroughly the nature of the charge of wilful .murder  Prisoner I don't know. Mr. Braddos: Do you understand what I say you? Prisoner: Yes. Mr. Braddon: He understands what I say to him. . .  Plis Lordship then directed that a plea of not guilty should be entered on the record. After the hearing of several witnesses, His Lordship said that he desired, before the cs.se went any further, that the jury should understand what was the exact law on insanity. ltwas most important that the jury should understand it. Uncontrollable impulses which led to crime were no excuse at all. not even if they were the result of disease. To a doctor's mind insanity meant a very difftront thing trom what it meant from the point of view of the law, and it would not be safe to come to a conclusion that the prisoner knew, at the time he cut his wife's throat, what he was doing, and that it was a wrongful act. If that was their opinion, they would have to return a verdict of not guilty on the ground of insanity, He had thought it beat to , stop the case then, and thus save a great deal of pain to all persons concerned. The jury; after a few moments' consultation. returned a verdict of not guilty on the ground of  a insanity. His Lirdship intimated that the prisoner would ie detained during her Majesty's pleasure.