The Sun. — 1846-08-20 (London, England)

ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE BY A SOLICITOR.—ShortIy before the closing of the Court, James Hall, described on the police-sheet as a solicitor, carrying on business at 16, Boswell-court, was brought up in the custody of police-constable 40, F division, charged with attempting to commit suicide, by cutting his throat with a razor. The constable said that about four o'clock in the afternoon he was called into a lithographic establishment, in Gatestreet, Lincoln's Inn-fields, where he saw the defendant in the parlour, with his neckcloth loosened and covered with blood. Mr. Houseman, 163, Strand, said that on passing through Great Queen-street with his brother in-law, a gig with two persons in it passed by at a rapid rate, and at a short distance was the defendant, with his throat apparently cut, and his hands smeared with blood. There were some persons following him, and upon his inquiring of the defendant what was the matter, the mob collected and they got him into a lithographic establishment, where, upon examining, he found a mark at each side of the neck, and, upon reasoning with the defendant, he said he had made up his mind to destroy himself, that he would not return to his family, and that ne had made up all his papers, as nothing would induce him to alter his determination. Mr. George Johnson, 37, Burton-crescent, who was in the company of the last witness, said that the defendant was in a very excited state, in consequence, as he stated, of having experienced some ill treatment from his brother. After a short time he became tranquil, but persisted in saying he would commit the act. The defendant during the examination held his hand to his face, and declined saying anything, except that it was a family difference, and it was his brother 'who drove away in the gig. The proprietor of the house in which the defendant was found said, that from inquiries he had ascertained the brother refused to supply the defendant with some money he required, and he borrowed a razor to destroy himself. Mr. JARDINE ordered him to be remanded until his friends could be sent for to take charge of him. James Hall, a well-dressed middle-aged man, was placed at the bar, having been remanded from yesterday, upon a , charge of attempting to commit suicide by cutting his throat. The prisoner was seen by a gentleman, named Johnson, running through the middle of the road in King-street, after a gig in which were two gentlemen. He stopped in the middle of the road, and the gig drove on. Mr. Johnson, seeing blood on his cravat and hands, led him aside and examined his throat. The prisoner said he had cut his throat with a razor, and would have killed himself had not his brother taken the razor from him. Messrs. Henry and Chesterton Hall, attorneys, the prisoner's brothers, attended this morning, and made a long complaint to the effect that the prisoner had been agreat annoyance to them for the last 20 years; that he had been entirely supported by them, and was always importuning them for money, which they were frequently induced to give hin, for the sake of his wife and children. They hoped the Ta ,gistrate would do something to protect them from such annoyance. It had been stated that he was a men her of their firm. Now this was utterly untrue; they were certainly partners, but the prisoner had bad nothing to do with the office for twenty years. Mr. C. Hall said that he and his brother were ;II the gig a ,s, the prisoner was standing beside it importuning th .a tbr money, and repeatiog a threat he had often mad.;, that he would cut his throat. They drove on, and ire ran after them as described by Mr. Johnson. He laid one hand on the back of the gig, and with the other took out the razor anti cut his throat. He, Mr. C. Hall, took the razor from the prisoner, who"then let go of the gig, and they then drove on. The prisoner made a long statement, denying what had been said by his brothers relative to their private affairs. He said he had been ruined by his brothers, who had possession of his mother's will, and refused to show it. They had allowed him a weekly stipend, but they only did so to keep him quiet, and prevent him from troubling them about the will. He was an attorney like themselves, but they had prevented him from taking out a certificate. It was their misconduct towards him that caused him to attempt to destroy himself. Much more of a personal nature, totally uninteresting to the public, was said on both sides. Mr. 1111NRY said that he had expected the surgeon of the prison would have made a report on the defendant's state of mind, but as he had not done so it would be necessary to remand the defendant, and send a request to the surgeon to make a report. In order that the prisoner might not be in a state of temporary excitement, which might deceive the medical man, he would remand him till Saturday, and would give him time to become cool.  The prisoner begged hard not to be sent to prison again, and said that his wife and children did not know where he was. What would be the result if he was found to be sane? Mr.