Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1862-10-01 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

TRIAL AND SENTENCE OF MR. ROUPELL. The trial of Mr. Roupell at the Central Criminal Court, as may be readily imagined, bad awakened the deepest interest in the public mind, and much curiosity was expressed in all quarters as to the nature of the defence that would be set up to the charges which he would be called upon to answer. The Recorder, in his charge to the grand jury on Monday, pointedly referred to the case, observing that he did not know what evidence would be laid before them, but the only evidence that appeared against him at present was his own statement, yoluntai ily made on oath before the magistrates, in which he had sworn that he had forged a deed, and had also forged his father's will. The learned Recorder further expressed his opinion that this statement, made as it had been on oath, would be quite sufficient for the grand jury to act upon. Very soon after the grand jury had commenced their duties two bills were preferred before them by Mr. Pollard, the assistant solicitor to the Treasury, against Mr. Roupell, the one charging him with feloniously forging and uttering a certain deed of gift, and the other with the same offence in relation to a will. The only witnesses who were examined were Mr. Bennett, the shorthand writer who took notes of proceedings upon the trial at Guildford, and Mr. Tongue, the associate who produced the instruments that were alleged to be forged and who had impounded them by order of Mr. Baron Martin, the judge who presided at the trial. The grand jury immediately found both to be true" bills, and they very shortly afterwards formally returned them as such. Just as the court was abut to adjourn, the prisoner was brought up in the custody of Mr. Keane, of governor of Horsemonger-lane Prison, and he was ordered to be placed in the dock. Mr. Kemp, the deputy clerk of arraigns, then read the indictment, which charged the prisoner with having, on the 2nd of September, 1856, feloniously forged and uttered a will purporting to be the last will and testament of one Richard Palmer Roupell, with the intent to defraud ; and he then asked the prisoner whether he pleaded guilty or not guilty to the charge. The prisoner, in a calm, firm tone, replied, " I de. dine to plead." Mr. Hemp then read the second indictment, which charged the prisoner with forging and uttering a deed purporting to be a deed conveying certain lands and heraditaments at Kingston, from Richard Palmer Roupell to himself, he well knowing the same deed to be forged. Upon the same question being put to him, whether he pleaded guilty or not guilty, he again replied, " I decline to plead." The Recorder then, under the powers granted to the Court by the Act of Parliament of the 7th and Bth George IV., directed a plea of not guilty to be entered, and Mr. Roupell was removed from the bar. He was brought up again on Wednesday, and arraigned in the usual way. On being asked to plead, he pleaded Guilty, and previous to receiving judgment addressed the court as follows My Lord, I am aware that a British judge will do his duty uninfluenced or unbiassed by either eloquence or professional skill; and my words, therefore, shall be few and simple. I beg, in the first place, to express my regret for any inconvenience that may have been occasioned by the course I pursued on Monday, of declining to plead, and I trust that my solicitor has been enabled to prevent the legal advisers of the Crown from suffering any inconvenience by that proceeding. I did not expect to have been brought up so suddenly. I thought I should not have been required to plead until this morning, and important considerations induced me to refrain from pleading when I was placed at the bar before the Recorder on Monday. It was my purpose from the first to plead guilty. I never entertained any other intention from the very first moment that I gave myself up to justice. lam guilty of these crimes, and I confess them, but I must add that my life has been one continued mistake. In my youth I suffered privations of which the public can have no conception. At the age of 211 incurred a debt to purchase books—thst debt was contracted with one who was connected with me by the most intimate tie. My friend who lent me the money suddenly became involved in grievous pecuniary troubles which caused him to meditate suicide. I could not pay him the money I owed him. I could not get assistance, and I risked my soul to save my friend. (The prisoner here exhibited slight emotion.) I will not say how that friend requited me. Whatever I have suffered I have deserved. I don't wish to cast blame on any man; the guilt is mine alone, and I admit that it is unmitigated guilt. It is true that I have had to bear peculiar trials, but I have not been tempted more than I should have been able to bear, and I repeat that the guilt is mine, and mine alone. I wish to cast blame on no one. lam most desirous to clear every one connected with me from any share in this most monstrous guilt, and I particularly allude to those invitataystal