The Sun. — 1848-04-03 (London, England)

THIS DAY. CRIMINAL The April session was opened this morning in the usual form, before the Recorder, Aldermen Marshall, Farncombe, Musgrove, and Sheriffs Cubitt and Hill. The Lord Mayor was absent. Whilst the grand jury were being selected two or three gentlemen claimed exemption on the ground that they had been sworn in as spectra constables, and that it was not unlikely their services might be imperatively called upon elsewhere. The RsCORDER eulogised the anxiety of the gentlemen in question to aid in the preservation of the public peace; it th ra was ipml ee a tsoi ntgh e tcoofinnsedrvgaeteiniotnlemofentbseopaeanexeir but as theirs to devote duties there were of vital importance, for they had reference to the liberty of the subject, he could not consent to dispense with their valuable services, unless they were, as they stated, required imperatively in another quarter. The members of the grand jury were then sworn, and retired to elect their foreman. On their return, a grand juror drew the attention cf the Recorder to the great necessity that existed of freeing special constables summoned from their attendance there, as it was impossible to tell how soon their services might be called into requisition. In support of this, he stated that yesterday he saw 300 or 400 persons journeying down the Walworth-road, in vans, accompanied by flags and bands of music. Such a proceeding on the Sabbath was disgraceful, and the authorities were much to blame for allowing it. The RECORDER said if the object of the juror was to secure the public peace, and to tender his services forthwith for that purpose, he would consent to his going. The juror said that was his intention. He was accordingly allowed to go, and another juror was selected to fill his place. The RECORDER then delivered his charge. He said, after a careful perusal of the deposition of the cases which had been selected for trial, he was not prepared to occupy their time with any lengthened observations, because, although the calendar comprehended many cases of a serious nature, they did not, generally speaking, involve any difficult question of law. It was not their duty to try the cases that came before them as if their decision was to be final ; it was sufficient. for them to inquire whether the case for the prosecution was entitled to belief, and whether a prima facie case was presented for trial by the petty jury. Though the calendar did not contain so numerous a list of prisoners as on former occasions, still the offences so rife in this country—namely, assault with considerable violence— nevertheless kept up their numbers. There were 2 cases of assault with intent to rob, 5 of cutting and wounding with intent to do some grievous bodily harm, 3 of manslaughter, 3 of feloniously demanding money with menaces in a common brothel, 1 case of a woman being charged with wounding a man, severing the temporal artery with a knife; a man wounding two females with a shoemaker's knife; a man, who was deaf • and dumb, was charged with putting out a person's eye with a pipe whilst under the influence of liquor. There was a charge against a person which was wholly unex. plained, namely, wounding a person with some instrument, who no doubt had been mistaken for some other party; wounding a female with a poker; a charge of attempting to commit suicide by taking laudanum in a cup of coffee. It ought to be known to the lower classes, who imagined they could dispossess themselves of life with impunity, that they would be severely punished if they attempted to do so ; and two persons were charged with having forged promissory notes in their possession. The notes were incomplete ; but, uerertheless, the parties, if it was proved that they had a criminal purpose in view, were amenable to a severe punishment. Having alluded to some other cases, and explained the office they would have to discharge, the Learned Gentleman concluded by remitting them to their duties. _ _  The number of prisoners for trial are, London, 56 Middlesex, 127 ; Essex, 3 ; Kent, 6 ; Surrey 13 Total, 205.