The Express. — 1860-08-09 (London, England)

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.  HOME CIRCITIT.—GUILDFORD, Atinuffr 8. (Before Mr. Justice Blackburn.) Clarks Rawson, 48, described sea teacher, and who presented a wild and haippird appearance, was charged with feloniously setting fire toli stack of bay, the property of • farmer named Leonard, residing in the neighbourhood al Kingston. Mr. Sharp was instructed for the prosecution ; Mr. May was counsel for the defence. This case was specially fixed for yesterday morning, in consequence of the prisoner having made • desperate attempt at suicide in his cell in Horeemonger-lane Gaol, on the morning on which the prisoners were to be taken down to Guildford, od he was not in • condition to be tried befess. The circumstances of the ease were somewhat peenHer. It appeared that the stack in question was fired on the morning of the Tani of May, and the prisoner was met by • police-constable coming away from the field where the stack was. After the fire was put out he was still seen lurking about the spot, and the constable asked him if he bad seen any one near the stack, and he at once admitted that he was the person who had set fire to it, and said he had done so with • lucifer match, and he at the mime time pulled several matches out of his pocket, and pve them to the Policeman. Vi hen the prisoner was asked in the usual form whether he was guilty or not guilty, he replied that be was guilty. Mr. Justice Black who had been made acquainted with the facto, inquired ifWrn, the prisoner was in a condition of mind to understand the nature of the proceeding that was going on. Mr. Lilley said he was instructed that he was not, and he had witnesses in attendance whom he should like to have examined. The jury were accordingly sworn to _inquire whether the prisoner was in a fit state of mind to plead, and several witnames, his centavo, were examined. From their evidence it appeared that he had formerly been • schoolmaster at Kingston, but had become reduced, and latterly he had been in a very desponding state, and appeared to entertain the idea that he and hie family would suffer great distress, and he was eonstantly praying. It also appeared that he would sometimes go without food for two or three days, and no entreaties could induce him to take nourishment,ind the witnesses all stated their opinion that be was of unsound mind and not at all aware of the consequence that would result from his pleading guilty. Charles Maynard, one of the principal warders of Horsemonger-lane, stated that when the prisoner was first brought to the gaol he appeared very wild and excited, and he was consequently not left by himself. On Friday evening, in consequence of an alarm that was given, be went to the prisoner's cell, and found that he had endeavoured tostrangle himself with a handkerchief. He was quite insensible, and the surgeons were rubbing him, but it was • considerable time bider* he came to himself, and he was not in • fit state to take his trial before that day. Mr. Jelin Keene, the governor of the prison, produced • certificate of the surgeon, to the effect that at the present time the prisoner was of unsound mind. The jury, upon this evidence, returued a verdict that the prisoner was not in a fit state of mind to plead, and lie was rounded back to prison, and ordered to be kept in safe custody until her Majesty's pleasure should be known respecting him. ADAMS AND WIFE r.