The Sun. — 1851-07-12 (London, England)

WIGHTMAN.) THE TRIAL OF JAMES HUGGINS FOR ARSON. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. BODKIN then addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner. He recapitulated the main facts detailed in evidence, and said it was impossible to conceive that a man in his senses who intended to commit such a crime would have said and done so many things which could not but excite suspicion against him and load to his detection. In fact he had invited attention to all his acts, alai after the tire took place, instead of absconding like a criminal conscious of his guilt, he remained at his house, though, if of sane mind, he must have been perfectly aware that he could not escape from suspicion. There could be no doubt that his mind was affected in such a way as to preclude him from being master of his own actions. The prisoner, who was an attorney and solicitor, was formerly in the employ of an eminent firm of great business, and while there he was called upon to make very great exertions in railway matters, and he so overtaxed his brain, that the most dangerous consequences were apprehended. He was always a nervous and exciteable person, and had two brothers who died early in life from diseases of the brain. Ten years ago he married a lady of irreproachable character and status, by whom he had five children, and a more fond, affectionate, and attentive husband and father was nowhere to be found. In 1848, however, a great change came over his mind and his conduct • the kind and devoted husband became a perfect tyrant-his wife, whom at different times he abused, attacked, and promised to destroy, became the object of his most virulent hatred. At other times he rushed about like a mad person, and made howling noises like those coming from a dog, or wild beast. Upon proving these and other facts to the Jury, he was confident they would he of opinion that the prisoner had for some time been of unsound mind, and not responsible for his actions. The following evidence was then adduced : Ann Huggins, the eldest sister of the accused, said previous to his marnage they lived together, and after that event she was frequently in the habit of visiting his house and staying there sometimes fur months. She had two brothers who died from disease of the brain. The prisoner was exceedingly ,exaitahle from his childhood, often starting up in his sleep. The least noise greatly affected him. Re was always extremely kind, and lived on terms ofaffection with his father arid family. He was a very dutiful son, and the death of his father had a great effect on his mind. He would not attend the funeral in , 8 and refused to go Into mourning. His father died 1 19 He was devotedly 1' attentive to his wife and children. During the last three or four years his manner had been strange and distant. h Witness attributed this to pressure of business during the railway mania. She had one•dined once at his house in the last three years; on the occasion she noticed nothing ,particular in his manner. The prisoner was about 38 years of age. Harriet Weymouth examined, said—l am a married woman. When single I lived as general servantf with the prisoner at Sydenham and Brixton. I le after being in his service three years. in HeJuwlya; 1848, very affectionate and devoted to his wife. On a Saturday in May, 1848, he came home after tea and ordered tea to be prepared for him, but when it was brought into the room he took up hi 3 hat, rushed out of the house, and did not return again until the following Thursday. His wife went after him, but did not succeed in ;a vbrianygeieryg mhininchbdaicaktre;assehle was then then in the family-wad, an came home as usual on Thursday, but made no inquiry about his wife or children. Cross-examined by Mr. BALLANTyNE—Letters passed between him and his wife while he was absent. She aid not know whether he went to Brighton on that occasion. Mary Crozier, also a servant in the prisoner's em. , pmy' deposed as to the general irritability of his temper, and as to his sudden absence in May, 1843. She had often heard him walking about the room at nights., stamping, raving, and groaning. The family afterwards went to,Grays, g in Essex, and from that time a change took is his place, conduct to his wife; he frequently beat her violently, and used threats to her. When at home he would sometimes go an empty house next st door, and return ele! ant and sleep no i furnished room in the house. oek up the servants in the middle of the night. There was e one Crime-examined by Mr. Ce e was kind to his wife in the presence of stranger; One rooming a cutlet was laid before him, he and at other times he treated twisted himself at breakfast, when and groaned, and then jumped several ulia,iamsdelf round in the chair, n struck his wife times on the back with his fat Jane Robinson, a nurse, now in th gave similar testimony as to utuallly became violent once repes." Service of the prisoner, a nic7netl acts of cruelty. He to his wit.; and witness was in the hAbit of jocularly saying with the change of the moon. She had frequently he was affected pump cold water on his head in the morning, seen him Mr. J. Sawyer, physician, examined by Air, he was consulted in 1848 about the health of the DKPl,Nis'osnaeird. Ire was then in a highly nervous, excited state, and plained much of his head. He said he passed badnezonl and could not bear the noise of the children. Ile also i- fits, he was troubled with the " horrors," and felt a wish tosaid commit suicide. Witness recommended cold applications torb head, and change of scene, and sea air. He subsequently received a note from Mrs. Huggins, and again visited the prisoner, when the symptoms were aggravated; he was on that occasion suffering from congestion of the liver and brain. Witeese advised him to leave home, to dispense with business, and to submit himself to the care of a medical man. Assuming the circumstances to be true which had been deposed to, he should decidedly attribute them to the conduct of an insane person. Cross-examined by Mr.