The Sun. — 1850-08-22 (London, England)

BALLANTINE—I was Colonel Rose's adopted daughter. My sister is now very ill. Thomas Barnes, a City police-constable, said that he went to apprehend the prisoner at 0 Ward's Coffee -house, Waterloo-road, and when he told prisoner that he took him on a warrant for bigamy, prisoner said, " I do not understand you, or know what you mean." Witness then told hire, and he sail he r mistake—they had a greater charge to make against Miss Greene— that of murder. He further added there might be some After some further evidence, Ai. iittasose—they addressed might m thee a n jury his ry brother.fr the complaining of the statements made by the prosecution, and denying that the prisoner had any money with his wife beyond the amount spent for ordinary expenses, and also that it was most unfair that the fiat wife was not present, and also the exact circumstances under which prisoner became acquainted with his wives, both of whom were older than himself. The Learned Counsel then called Mr. Joseph Crawford, Consul-General at the Havannahs, said that he knew the prisoner, who had moved in the best society at that place, and also at Paris. This gentleman produced a letter from the prisoner's first wife, written in the mildest spirit, and expressing her intention of not being present at the trial, as it would only serve to assist the case for the prosecution, and could not aid the position in which her unhappy husband was placed. Mr. GURNEY, in summing up, said there was no blame at all to be attached to the prosecutien for the course they had pursued, nor was there any necessity for further wounding the feelings of the first wife, by bringing her up to this court as evidence. All the jury had to du with was the fact of the two marriages. The jury found him Guilty. Mr. BALLANTINE said he understood prisoner had 15,000/. with his second wife. Miss Greene was recalled, and said she believed her sister's fortune was above 10,000/., but it was settled on her. The solicitor for the prosecution, who was also solicitor to the lady, said it was above 10,000/., settled on her, but be heard that the prisoner had dissipated nearly all of it. After some further discussion the Court said they would take time to consider what sentence should be passed. The prisoner, who stood with his arms folded during the whole of the trial, trying to look very unconcerned, then walked out of the dock with a military step. Afary Fitzgerald, 47, married, a decent-looking woman, was indicted for feloniously intermarrying with William Beckford, her husband being then alive. Mr. Clark prosecuted, and Mr. Ballantine, who had been retained through the humane interference of the Under-Sheriffs, appeared for the woman. Mr. CLARK stated the case to the jury, and in so doing said that, although undoubtedly an offence had been committed, still the manner in which the charge had been brought forward was highly reprehensible, and cast great discredit on all parties, as no public wrong would have arisen if the proceedings had never been instigated. The facts were these :—ln the year 1824 the prisoner was married at Marylebone to a man named Fitzgerald, who, after living with her some time, deserted her and enlisted in the army, first going with his regiment to Ireland, and then to India. She was then married to her second husband at St. George's, Bloomsbury, in 1831. After she had lived withtim for six or seven years, Fitzgerald came home and came to claim her from her second husband, who, however, continued to live with her altogether for sixteen years, and had five children by her. Finally the first husband got discharged from the service, and it appeared made use of the power the commission of bigamy gave him to work upon her fears to extort money from her, she still living with her second husband-, and some disagreement taking place, he left her, and for some time allowed her money to support the children; •but ultimately withdrawing that support, and she falling ill, they became chargeable to the parish of Richmond, where they lived, when the second husband made known the whole affair to free himself from them, and these proceedings were taken and the poor woman sent here for trial. Mr. BALLANTINE having most warmly commented upon the shameful character of the proceedings, contended that she might have thought her husband dead when she again married. The jury found her Guilty, and she was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment in Newgate. Mr. GURNEY said he should not allow the expenses. The poor woman, who was in a fainting state during a great portion of the trial, was obliged to be carried from the dock.