Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1883-01-26 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

TRIALS OF PRISONERS.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. William Collins, 75. wheelmaker, imperfect education, was indicted for unlawfully casting himself into the river Yeo, "with intent thereby felontously, wilfully,and of malice aforilhought "to kill and murder himself, at Sherborne, on 29th December, 1882. He pleaded not guilty, very indistinctly, arid keenly regarded the petty jury. Mr. Udall said the case was very short and simple. It seemed that a boy saw prisoner cross the field, take off hie coat and waistinat, and throw himself into the river- The boy ran away and called the police to his assistance, and the constable pulled him out. Thornton White, who lives at the Sherborne gas-works. saw the prisoner on that day. Friday, run down a field called the Purlieu, and towards the river Yee. where he took off his coat and weiatooat. Witne3B fetched P.C. Jesse. By prisoner: You were net stood up. Prisoner : I was as well as ever I was in my life, and I have been well ever since. I was took down low and nervous, I jumped into the river, and I come out a perfect cure, and have no; been ill since. I never meant to kill myself. Witness: I was not in the field but I was in a place where 1 saw you jump into the river. Prisoner: I seed he in Pe ly, I took off my coat. P.C. Jesse, stationed at Shoehorn, was sent to go to Purlieu field, and saw William Collins in the river, about three feet from the edge of the wale. Hestepped into the hedge, and pulled him out very much exhausted, when prisoner said—" I am tired of my life; I came here on purpose to do away with myself." Prisoner here denied this. Witness went on that he sent for the doctor. By prisoner: You were not standing upright in the water, but about half double. Prisoner: I wasn't, the water cured me, I have been very bad all summer. Tale was the whole of the case. When before the magistrates, the prisoner said—" I did not jump int the water with the intention of drowning myself." Prisoner now said he woo' teok down" low and nervous all the summer, was hot in his back, and disturbed his neighbour,' at nlght. He sent for the doctor. something was all over his body, and the water cured him.—He contineed in in excited way to bring a charge against the p 1 ce at Sherborne, which the Judge said had nothing to do with the case. In summing up the Judge polntei the evidence, and idled that the shock might have cured the man, but if the jury found him guilty of intending to make away with himself, they would have nothing to do with what amount of punishment was to be inflicted. In answer to the Foreman, the constable said the man's head had been under water, and was dripping. He had been told the river was about 51t. deep ; but it was only 3.1, where the prisoner jumped in. The jury asked how long the man was in the water from the time the boy saw him jump in till the policeman saw hunt The boy thought about three minutes; he had ti go about 100 yard'. The Judge pointed nut to the jury that what they hail to consider was simply whether the man intended to destroy himself when he jumped into the water. The jury making enquiries about what medic aloaid was celled in, Dia Judge explained to them it had nothing to de with what they bad to decide. They elected to ratite. aad consider their verdict, and were marched off. After same time they found him guilty of intending to commit self-deatruction, but not aceeuntable for his actions. The Judge said no issue was left to them as to whether prig mer was of unsound mind, an I after explanation sent them back to re-consider. The jury returned after 8.31319 time with a verdict of guilty awl a recount:nen Wien to mercy. The Judge sentenced him to a month's imprisonment, with such hard labour as the medical officer of the prison considered was fit for him.  THE CHARGE OF It4N3LAUGHTEIV John Sargont, a boy sdnalt:ed to bail, had been indicted for killing ato slaying Ann S.ront, hie sister, at Gilling ham on the 15th August last; but the Grand Jury ignore the bill.  Martin. _ _ Mr. Bulk% instructed by Mr. W. A. Colyer, of Lond,n, for plaintiff, and Mr. Foote, instructed by Mr. H. S.