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MONTGOMERYSHIRE. 1
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MONTGOMERYSHIRE. 1 The commission of Oyer and Terminer and general gaol delivery for the county of Montgomery was opened in the Assize Court, Welshpool, on Wednesday, before the Hon. Sir John Barnard Byles, Knight. His lord- ship was escortell to town from the railway station by Robert Simcox Perrott, Esq., high-sheriff, Messrs. How- ell and Jones, under-sheriffs, Mr. Hodgson, chief constable, Mr. Danily, superintendent-of-police, Sergeant Strefford, and a posse of police, with trumpeters, &c. After the commission was opened, his lordship pro- ceeded to the parish church, to hear the assize service and sermon. Several of the townspeople were also in attendance. THURSDAY. I This morning, at ten o'clock, the court opened, and I the following gentlemen were sworn on I THE GRAND JURY. I Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., foreman William Corbett, Esq. William Curling. Esq. Joseph Davies, Esq. John Pugdale, Esq. John Heyward Heyward, Esq. Edwin Hilton, Esq. John Robinson Jones, Esq. Richard Edwktr(I Jones, Esq. Henry Nicholls, Esq. John P. Pryse. Esq. Offley Malcolm Crew Reade, Esq. John Edmund Severne, Esq. Septimus Scott, Esq. John James Turner. Esq. Edward Salisbury Rose Trevor, Esq. R. P. Bucklev Williames, Esq. Charles Watkius Williams Wynn, Esq. The proclamation against vice and profanity having been read, His LORDSIIIP proceeded to charge the grand jury. Although there were only six prisoners for triai, some of the cases were, perhaps deserving of a few remarks. After touching upon the case of arson, for which a pri- soner had been committed for trial on his own admission, and alluding to the evidence, his Lordship expressed his regret that this description of offence had become so general in that part of the country. But, although tramps and other wanderers might commit this crime for the purpose of being provided for in prison for a long period, still it was necessary to sentence them to a long period of penal servitude, in the hope that they would be induced to regret the steps that they had taken. Penal servitude had recently been rendered less desira- ble than formerly to the class of persons who sought imprisonment. His Lordship next referred to the eases of manslaughter, and then dwelt on the charge of arson at Llanidloes, stating that the impression indicated in the evidence as pointing to the prisoner Higgs, did not necessarily indicate guilt. The jury must be satisfied that the evidence was sufficiently clear to justify them in sending the case for further investigation. His Lordship then briefly dwelt upon the melancholy charge of wilful murder against the young woman Price, explaining the law of the case. To constitute the crime a wilful murder, it must be proved that the young woman had intended destroying her child when con- scious of her actions. His Lordship complained of the indistinct manner in which many of the depositions had been drawn np, and the unnecessary trouble that was thereby caused. The grand jury were then discharged, to their duties. TRIAL OF PRISONERS. NIGIIT POACHING. Edward J)avic*t 29, admitted to bail, was indicted for having, on the Sth of December last, poached at night, between twelve and four o'clock, on certain lands], the property of W. Curling, Esq. Mr. M'Intyre appeared for the prosecution, and lUr. Morgan Lloyd, instructed by Mr. Hancox, for the defence. Mr. Harrison instructed counsel for the prose- cution. Morris Isaac deposed that he was assistant game- keeper at Maesmawr, the property of Mr. Curling. On the night in question he and a man named Francis Arthur, a woodranger, were out in the Big Forest. They heard the sound of guns, and about three o'clock in the morning they heard further shots fired in a place called Clawdd Dingle. Saw five men who were each armed with a long ,tick and a gun. Witness squatted down by a hedge, and recognised Davies among the men, as there was a bright moonlight. Saw his face quite plainly, as he waa only two yards off, as near as he could tell. Witness went across the road and went over a stile, as he was afraid to meet them on the road. The five men he had seen before again passed him. The pri- soner was in the middle. They were only two or three yards from where he (witness) stood. Prisoner had on a dark hat and light trousers. Cross-examined by Mr. Lloycl-The men passed about two yards from me when I saw them in the wood. There is no path there. It was about half-past three o'clock when I recognised the prisoner. The moon had not gone down. I can swear it had not. Mr. Lloyd, on referring to his almanack, asked the witness whether he would swear that the moon had not, gone down that morning at 1.48. The witness said he could swear that the moon had not got down. Mr. Lloyd—What say you if the almanack states the moon went down that morning at 1.48 ? (Laughter.) Witness—I suppose that the almanack is wrong. (Laughter.) Police-Constable Thomas proved having apprehended prisoner at his father's house. Prisoner is the SOli of a farmer, a tenant of Mr. Curling. Mr. Lloyd addressed the jury for the defence. He adverted to the insufficiency of the evidence. Only one witness could be called to speak to the identification of the prisoner. In a case of that kind, when the conse- quences involved were so serious, it might have been expected that the evidence presented to the jury would have been clear and satisfactory. It was true that the witness did speak most positively to the identity of one out of the five prisoners; but it must be remembered that he said he could see the prisoners by moon- light. On referring to an almanack of last year, he found that the moon set at 1.48 a.m., so that it was clear that if the almanack was right the witness Was wrong in a very essential point, and the case must neces- sarily fall to the ground. But as counsel he felt his responsibility, and would, if the jury thought it ne- cessary, call the prisoner's father and mother, to prove that the prisoner was in the house all the night in question. The Jury, at this stage of the proceedings, consulted together, and said they would not trouble the learned Counsel to proceed with the defence, as they were dissatisfied with the evidence, and had determined to re- turn a verdict of not guilty. The prisoner was then dis- charged. AHSOX AT TREFEOLWTS. William Goodwin. 2(), boote.toser, was indicted for maliciously setting fire to a house, the property of Miss Margaret Elinor Hayward, in the parish of Trcf- eglwys. The prisoner in the first place pleaded guilty; but he afterwards withdrew his plea. William Jones deposed that he lived in a farm called Esceireith, the property of Miss Hayward. On the night in question he found that a small place in which he -kept turf had been destroyed by fire. There was a door to the cottage but anyone could open it. There were four loads of turf there. The weather was dry. Police-Sergeant Owen, of Llanidloes, deposed to hav- ing taken the prisoner into custody, in Llanidloes. On questioning him, he said that he had slept the previous night in au old building, about six miles on the Machyn- lleth road, and that he had lit three fires there of the turf with which the place was partially filled. He made a fire in the oven first, but as that would not burn well, he lit two others. He then said lie would as soon be in prison as tramping about the country doing nothing. The depositions before the Magistrates were also put in, when the prisoner said he put the place on fire because he had no work. The prisoner made no defence. The Jury found the prisoner guilty, and his LORDSIIIP said that the only mitigating circumstance that he could see in this case was that the property burnt was not a farm house, or dwelling, or rick of hay or corn, or any- thing of great value; but the property of all must be protected from such persons as the prisoner, who would be sentenced to seven years' penal servitude.—Mr. Mc- Intyre appeared for the prosecution. MANSLAUGHTER AT CAllItEGROFA. I David Davies, labourer, an elderly man, who had been admitted to bail, was indicted for having, on the 21st day of September last, caused the death of James Da- vies, his son. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. Mclntyre appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Morgan Lloyd for the defence. David Davies deposed tha, he was the son of the pri- soner, and the brother of the deceased. If e was work- ing in company with the father and brother, at a quarry, on the day in question. His brother and his father had some high words. The deceased called his father a grey-headed devil. He also used other offensive expres- sions. Witness turned away to resume his work, aud when he turned again, he saw his brother leaning against a waggon, which was near. He then went on his knees and took up a stone; but witness took it out of his hand. In cross-examination, witness said that powder was used in blasting the quarry. The truck was empty. David Evans said that lie also worked at the Llany- mynech rocks. On the day in question he saw James Davies lying down in the quarry. His father was near enough to hear. He asked the injured mau what was the matter with him. Mr. Lloyd objected to hearing anything the deceased etated, when prisoner could not perhaps have heard the question put. Mr. Mclntyre said he would not press the question if his Lordship thought that the prisoner was not near enough to hear. After some discussion, this evidence was allowed to be received. The evidence of a man named Richard Ellis, who has died since he was examined before the coroner, was next put in, and read by the clerk of the court. Evans had deposed to finding the other deceased lying ° down in the quarry, whero he (Evans) was also working. Helped him iij), and saw a little blood on the left side of the head. He appeared to be confused and sick. Took him to a stable in the neighbourhood, where he vomited. Took him next to his house, and put him to bed. The deceased was in the habit of using violent and abusive language to his father, and also of threatening him (Owen). The deceased's brother was again called, and said that the deceased had called his father a liar before he fell. Mr. John F. Highly deposed to having been called to examine the deceased. He found him suffering from fracture of the skull. Made a post mortem examina- tion of the body in the presence of the pri-,(,lier. The latter said, "It is a bad job. We quarrelled." Mr. Lloyd objected to the statement of the prisoner to a medical gentleman who had not first cautioned him. His LORDSHIP-Is that all your objection I Mr. Lloyd-Yes, my lord. His LORDSHIP—Then it is worth nothing. (A laugh.) The witness then proceeded to state that the prisoner told him that it was a bad job, and that he threw a lump of "delf" or hard clay at his son in consequence of the abusive and insulting language that he made use of. The witness explained that death had ensued from fracture of the skull. Mr. Harrison, the coroner, was examined, iu order to prove that the prisoner was present at the inquest, an,1 that he did not ask any question in regard to the evidence adduced. He (the coroner) would have been very wil- ling to have had any question put to the witnesses if they were not impertinent or improper ones. Other witnesses were examined to prove that the de- ceased pointed to the prisoner as the cause of his death, and to the prisoner admitting that he had thrown a lump of "delf" or hard clay at deceased. After hearing the address of the counsel for the de- fence, His LORDSIIIP summed up, and the jury re- turned a verdict of guilty. The learned Judge, in pas- sing sentence, adverted in a feeling manner to the melancholy circumstance which had transpired in con- sequence of indulgence in passion. A father had been induced to slaughter his son, although uninten- tionally, owing to the undutiful conduct of the latter. Taking into consideration the provocation received, and the pain that had already been iufiicted, his Lordship sentenced the prisoner to two months' impri- sonment. BILLS IGNORED. The Grand Jury ignored the hill against Edward Hij'g, admitted to bail, charged with having, at Llanidloes, on the night of the 2nd of August last, maliciously set fire to certain farm buildings, the property of William Lefeaux, Esq. The Foreman intimated to his Lordship that nearly all the evidence against the accused was merely hearsay. There was not the slightest direct evi- dence against the prisoner which warranted his being put on trial. Of all the witnesses examined, not one' of them could say that he had seen the prisoner commit the offence, neither was there the slightest tangible evi- dence against hiin. The Grand Jury, therefore, recom- mended that the court would not gmnt the expense of the prosecution. His LORDSIIIP said that he had himself come to the His I,ORDSIIIP ?-, 't same conclusion as the grand jury, in regard to the want of evidence against the The Grand Jury also ignored the bill in the case of John Shute, admitted to bail, indicted for having, on the 18th day of October, caused the manslaughter of William By water, at Llandyssil. FRIDAY. Mr. Justice Byles took hi SOlt on the bench at 10 a.m. THE CHILD MURDER IX WELSHPOOL. single woman, was charged with having, on the 23rd day of September, 1 SfJ4, wilfully aud with >ialice aforethought, killed her illegitimate child. Anne Piyce. Slie pleaded in a firm voice not guilty to the charge. Mr. Morgan Lloyd and Mr. Horatio Lloyd, instructed by Messrs. Howell and Jones, Welshpool, appeared for the prosecution and Mr. M'Intyre, instructed by Mr. E. M. Jones, for the defence. Mis. Elizabeth Pryce said—lam the wife of John Pryce, and the mother of the prisoner. She has al ways I been residing with me in May last she was confined of an illegitimate child, which was a female, and called Anne Pryce the child remained at my house, and was nursed by us for five daya, when it was taken into the country by a Nirs. Davies, of the Froclias, to nurse; Mrs. Davies kept it for three months, and then returned it on account that there was 7s. 6d. owing, although I had recently paid her 5s.; after Mr. Davies had re- turned it, I got a Mrs. Davies, of High-street, in this town, to look after it; this was on the same day; this person kept it for a fortnight, and it was brought home, because it was not well; I kept the child for two daya, or until it got well, and then it was taken by a Mrs. Jones, who kept it for a week, and returned it on Wed- nesday, the 21st of September; she said that she had brought it home became it was a noisy little thing, and her husband would not allow her to keep it, as he could get no sleep the child remained at our house all that day and all the next day, the prisoner nursing it, and no one could be kinder to the child than she was; the last time that I saw the child alive was in the prisoner's arms, on Friday, the 23rd; she took it out of the house then I did not see it again until I saw the body at the Pheasant; the child was very cross, and sho (the prison- er) was very unhappy we had a few high words that day I told her that she must find lodgings for herself and child; that she must take some small room, and go and live in it; she had a. good trade in her fingers, and she must get a living for herself and child when the child was cross, she was rather irritable upon the Wed- nesday morning, about five o'clock, the child was very cross, and she shook it; I told her that if she shook the child I would send for the police-ofifcer; sho on that threw the child into itiv arms on the bed, and said, If you talk to me I will go and drown myself;" this was all; after this she took the child down to the fire and nursed it; all day on Thursday and Friday the pri- soner looked wild— her eyes looked full and big; I uo, ticed this on Thursday, during the time she had the child. Cross-examined—My daughter has been in the Na- tional School; shehas been a pupil teacher there; there never could be a better girl; she was very kind to her fititiily s he would work night and day for their support; all her earnings she brought home for to sup- port her sisters anI) brothers; with her school money she bought clothes and shoes, and coal in the winter, and was their main support, as their father did not sup- port them; she was as good a girl as ever was born until this unfortunate accident happened during the last two days she had but little to eat; the reason that she hadn't it was because we hadn't it; what food she managed to get she gave to the child shc fed it within a few minutes of the time that she left on Friday for the last two days the little, girl was very cross, and the prisoner most unhappy it, was oil acconnt of this state of things that I toltl her that she mllst leave home; it is true that I put the boxes outside the door; her bro- ther Xed also said that he would go to Shrewsbury and bring home herb] other Jem,to settle matters with her for three days she had but little food; the reason was that we had but little for ourselves; I cannot say that she ever threatened to drown herself more than this once; I cannOG ay that I ever told Elizabeth J >avies that I wonld do so my daughter left home about five o'clock in the evening. .Mrs. Mary Griffiths, sworn, said—I am the wife of Richard Griffiths, a grocer, residing in High-street, in this town; on the evening in question I was on the Shrewsbury road,nedr to the Gallows Tree Bank, going in the direction of Shrewsbury; this was from twenty minutes to half-past five ,¡'elock; a, I was going along I observed a female ill the canal; there was no one on the towing path; the bridge in question is near to the gas works the place where I taw, the woman floating in the canal was about twenty yards from the britlge; the woman was in the middle of the canal; there was no one oil the towing path above the bridge, but below the bridge a boat was coming up in the direc- tion of the town I did not call to the boatman, but to a man and a boy who were driving by at the time in a cart, and they ran on aud called to the boatman I did not see the child; I saw a bonnet and shawl and child's hat on the towing path; the baby's hat now produced is the one that I saw. Cross-examined—It was from twenty minutes to half- past five when I saw the woman in the canal; I did not pick np the articles; the boy who did so is here. Mr. David Lewis, examined by Mr. Horatio Lloyd, said—I am a canal boatman; on Friday, September the 23rd, I was comin" up the canal in the direction of Welshpool, and when I was near the Gallows Tree Bank bridge, I was called to come on, mHI I saw something in the water; I went to it, and found that it was a woman, and I drew her out it was the prisoner, who was insensible at the time; she came to herself in three or four minutes; as soon as she became sensible, she cried out, Oil, iny child oh, my child!" I afterwards searched and found the child, which I gave to Edward Newins, of the gas works; I saw a shawl and a hat on the towing path, which were about ten yards from where I had drawn the woman out; the child I found three or four yards from her. Cross-examined—The things were wrapped up toge- ther; they consisted of a bonnet, shawl, mantle, and child's hat; I was not the first who touched them. John Davies said that he was assistant to Mr. Davies, butcher was, on the day question, with a man on the load near tlia Gallows Tree Bank; saw something black on the towing path; I left the cart and went and touched them; I saw the boatman come up and take the prisoner out of the water; I took up the parcel; it was about 15 or 20 yards from where the prisoner was got out; there was a bonnet, a shawl, and a child's hat; they were not tied round with anything, they were sim- ply lying together; the hat produced is the one I saw there; after this I went to see for Strefford did not see anything more. Edward ewins, labourer, was called, and said that he was employed at the gas works; recollected on the day in question going to the canal, and saw a woman ly- ing on the towing path; received from the witness David Lewis the body of a female child, which he took to the gas house, and gave to Mr. Edmond. Sergeant Strefford deposed that, on the 23rd of Sep- tember, he was sent for to the gas house between five and six o'clock was shown by the last witness the body of a dead female child in an out-house; it was dressed, but had no hat on I immediately sent for a doctor; the child was quite dead and cold; I then went to the house of the prisoner's mother, and saw the prisoner there she was dripping wet, and appeared almost dead; I then returned to the gas works and took possession of the child's body; took it to the Pheasant Inn, and locked it in a room there, and kept the key at the in- quest I showed the child to the prisoner's mother, who recognised the child by its clothes to belong to the prisoner.; I produce two letters, one dated September 23rd, and the other September 24th I cannot swear to the writing. Cross-examined—I got the letters from the superin- tendent, stationed at Crewe. William Gill-I am » shunter oil the London and North-Western Railway at Crewe; I know the prisoner, Elizabeth I'ryee; I was acquainted with her in this town I had received letters from her, and by post oil the day after they were written. Cross-examined The superintendent of police came to mo and demanded the letters; after some conversa- tion they \\ere given up to him. The letters were then put in and read. The witness continued—I know Mr. Bridgewater; he lives at Montgomery when he is at home; he is in court. To the court—I pay my addresses to the prisoner; have done so for two months before thi" happened I am sure of this I came to the station at Welshpool on the 16th of May from Manchester. Mr. Henry Morris Lemon deposed—I am a doctor of medicine, residing in Welshpool on the day in question I was asked to go to the gas works, in this town; it was about six o'clock I went and saw the body of a female child there, which was quite dead; I made a post mor- tem examination of the body; there was no evidence of disease about the child; it was well nourished; there was about an ounce of some white-coloured food in the stomach, which appeared as if it had been milk aud flour I could see no other symptom than that the child had died from want of air or was drowned. Mr. M'lntyre applied that the cross-examination of this witness should be allowed to stand over until the evidence of Mr. Bridgewater had been taken. His LORDSHIP acceded to the request. Mr, Thomas Drigewater, sworn, said—I am a black- smith working in this town I lodged with the prison- er's mother. Cross-examined—I have seen the prisoner three or four days suffering from want of food; I offered her s'nno of my food she did not take it at first, but after- wards I noticed that she had taken a small quantity; she told me that her box had been turned out of doors; she was ill very low spirits; I have heard her threatened by her brother and mother. Dr. I einoi), re-called and cross-examined, said—I did not see Elizabeth Prype before the 23rd I have heard the evidence as to her looking wild, which I think may be produced by great grief, which with the absence of food for about forty-eight hours, would have a great effect upon her, iiiei)t,,tllv ;in(] physically, and would go so far as to deprive her of all control from committing acts of violence. If you were to submit a person to deep distress, want of food, and loss of rest, the effect would be to destroy the power of self-control. It would de- prive them of the power of not doing what they know to be wrong. It would not necessarily deprive them of the knowledge of right or wrong, but it lllight do so. I have frequently heard parents complain of this ten- tency to do wrong acts. I have attended the prisoner till she was sent to gaol. I saw her in three hours after the evcut. She appeared to be very incoherent. I could .scarcely get her to answer me. I cannot say when she took any food. I think that she was nearly drowu- ed. The nearly drowning would produce the shock I have described. To the Judge—She was confined four months ago. Females after confinement are subject to a disease known among medical men as puerperal mania, which conti- nues for many months. I have known it continue for a year and a half. A desire for self-destruction very fre- quently is an accompaniment of this disease. This closed the case for the prosecution. Mr. M'lutyre then rose to address the jury for the prisoner, and made a lengthy, able, and feeling defence. The learned JlJDG then lengthily and lucidly sum- med up the case, and put to the jury the following question :—Did the prisoner kill the child with mali- cious intent? Second, was the death of the child acci- dental ? Third, did the prisoner kill the child whilst in an unsound state of mind ? The jury immediately returned a verdict of "Not guilty," on the ground that it was done when the pri- soner was in an unsound state of mind. The JUDGE said—Let the prisoner be confined du- ring her Majesty's pleasure; and she was immediately removed. The assize then closed.
MERIONETHSHIRE. I
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MERIONETHSHIRE. The Commission of Assize for the county of Merioneth was opened at the Shire Hall, Bala, on Monday, the 13th instant. The Judge, lion. Sir John Barnard Byles, arrived in Bala shortly after two o'clock on Monday. He left Welshpool by the morning train for Llangollen, rode on horseback to Corweu, and thence proceeded in an open carriage to Bala. Having remained in his lodgings a short while, he was joined by the oiffcers of the court, and the commission was opened there, in the usual way. lli-i Lordship being a little indisposed, Mr. Mc- lntyre, the senior counsel, attended on his behalf at St. Mary's Church, escorted by the high-sheriff, R. Meredyth Richards, Esq., Caerynwch, the under- sheriff William Grif%tli, Ils(I., &(-, &e. Then the Venerable Archdeacon White (the sheriff's brother- in-law) preached the assize sermon from 2 St. Peter iii. 9—"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish but that all should cumo to repentance." TUESDAY, J The court was opened for the trial of prisoners at ten o'clock this iiioi-iiiii.. The calendar presented the larg- est number of prisoners to be tried that has ever been known in this thinly peopled, and hitherto, peaceable county, and the nature of the crimes alleged to have been committed were such as are, happily, of rare occurrence in this country. To prevent my serious interference with the business of the court, the Deputy-Sheriff took the precaution to erect barriers outside the hall, and issue tickets of admission to those who desired to be present, which arrangements appeared to have given universal satisfac- tion. An incident, not at ill iiiiwortliy of notice, is, that in the internal arrangements of the court, special atten- tion was paid to the convenience of the reporters. The usual court preliminaries having been disposed of, the following gentlemen were sworn as the GRAND JURY. I W. W. E. Wynne. Esq., M. P., foreman David Williams, Esq, Deudraeth Castle Lewis Williams. Esq Fronwnion George Casson, Esq., lilaeuyddol C. J. Tottenham, Esq., Pins Berwvn W. B. Banbury, Esq., Abergwynant 11. T Richardson, Esq., Aberhirnanfc (J. Edwards, Esq Dolserey George Price Lloyd, Esq.. Plasyndre John Jones, Esq., Vronddevw W. P. Jones, Esq., Bodweni Charles Jones, Esq., Coesfain J. Lloyd Anwyl. Esq., Hengai .Tolin Joiiei, I:sq, Yriy,fit%vi- J. E. Parry, Esq., Glyn Hall W. Williams, Esq., Dolgelley Wayne, Esq., Aberartro Lewis Williams, Esq., juii, Bryntirion J(,Ilii Junes, Esq BaliL John Williams, Esq, Gwcrnhefin O. Richards, Esq, MD, lÚltL William Jones, Esq Bryntegid William Williams, Esq. His LORDSHIP, in his charge to the grand jury, expressed his regret to see so grievous a calendar before him. The number, he supposed, was fully equal to those which they ever had to try at that place, and they were of a painful and peculiar naGure-many of the crimes charged against the prisoners having resulted in death. There was one case to which he wished to direct their most earnest attention. It was the case of John Wil- liams indicted for the wilful murder of his brother. Such instances of murder committed upon a near rela- tive do and have occurred but, happily, they are of rare occurrence in the annuls of jurisprudence. He did not propose to trouble them with the facts of this case, which must have been pretty well known to them all, in a smai: county like theirs, and they had a right to make use of any local knowledge of the else which they possessed. There were two points which he most par- ticularly called their attention to, the first of which was -Wl\O infliatt4 the wounds found upon deceased-did lie do it himself ? They would have to examine the evidence adduced as to the weapon available for such a purpose, and pay strict attention to the nature of the wound—on which side of the neck it was inflicted, and whether such a wound could have been inflicted by his own hand or by that of another man. They would see whether deceased had a stick, and that he used the stick upon his brother, and that, smarting under the blow, he inflicted the wound in question. But it would be for the defence to reduce the crime with which the prisoner was charged, to a lesser one. He was particu- larly anxious to assist them by every means in his power in order to arrive at a just and correct decision in this case, though it relieved him from a load of respon- sibility, knowing, as he did, that it would receive a careful and impartial investigation at their hands. If this was a murder, it was a murder of the deepest dye, and must be punished by the severest punishment which the law could inflict. The prisoner had been committed by the coroner for manslaughter, and by the magistrates—and very properly so—for wilful murder. He then asked them to dispose of the smaller cases be- fore they approached this charge against John Williams. There were other cases of manslaughter, he was sorry to say, in the caleudar, but there was only one that he was justified in calling their attention to. It was that of a man charged with the death of a coachman who had been precipitated over a bridge on a dark night, by the prisoner leaving a waggon on the road. In order to constitute a manslaughter, there must be some motive for the commission of an act by which deceased met with his death. A man might be guilty of non-feasance, mal-feasance, or mis-feasance—of one or other, as he would have them to observethere were sins of omission as well as commission. It was not a kind of slight negligence that would constitute man- slaughter. A woman nursing a child by her own negligence might let the child drop do.vn, and so cause the death of the child before she could be indicted for manslaughter, there must be grounds to suppose that she had been guilty of gross negligence. There were several persons charged with intent to do grievous bodily harm, which the other jury, if they there was not sufficient evidence to sustain that charge, might convert into unlawful wounding. There were several cases of larceny, and others of arson, in one of which the prisoner confessed his crime. Confession, however, should be received with the greatest caution. He had known some such cases where the prisoners made a full confession, which the jury chose to disbelieve, aud ac- quitted them. If a man would commit arson in ord er to obtain food, there was very strong reason to suppose that he would plead guilty to a crime which lie had not committed. They should prove his guilt by evidence rather than by any admission which the pri- soner might make. With those observations, he dis- missed them to their duties. FELONIOUS WOCXDISO. John Erms, aged 20, pleaded not, guilty to having wounded one Brutus Lloyd, at Towyn, ou the 17th Sep- tember last. Mr. Morgan Lloyd appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. M'Intyre for the defence. Brutus Llovil said that on the 17th September last he saw a scuffle at Towyn, from 11 to 12 o'clock at night. John Owen Jones was under the prisoner on the ground, and he attempted to rescue him. The prisoner and another young man were with him, they attacked me, and stabbed me under the arm, and in two places iu the back. Was pickell np by som" one; he (the prosecutor) then looked round and struck the prisoner, who immediately turned round, aud stabbed him again. Cross-examined by Mr. :lI'Intyre -Had been drinking that night myself I got my jacket off, and knocked one of them. Did not kick the prisoner on the ground. Edward Ellis, labourer, Cynfal, near Towyn—On the I "th of September last, prisoner and-myself went toge- ther to Towyn fair. Before returning homo, I saw a scuffle between the prisoner and John Owen Jones; Brutus Lloyd was there at the time. Did not see him altackt], The knife produced belongs to the pri- soner. Cross-examined by Mr. M'Intyre—Saw EmnR on the ground, but did not see Brutus Lloyd kicking him. Therc was" mark on Evans's forehead. Lloyd did hit him, and so did Evans hit Lloyd. Elizabeth Francis swore to the finding of a knife on the spot where the above scuffle took place. The knife produced is that instrument. Thomas Roberts, police-sergeant, Towyn-In conse- quence of information received, f went to Cynfal on the night in question. Saw John Evans. The forefinger on his right hand was cut. There was blood on his clot-hess)so. Told him I had come to take him into custody for stabbing Lloyd. He replied to the charge, What could I do." He subsequently admitted having been on the ground, and said the reason why he used the knife was that they were on the top of him. The clothes produced belong to Brutus Lloyd. Police-Oftieer Metcalfe related a conversation he had had with the prisoner, who said he had stabbed Lloyd. Mr. C. Pryce Williams, surgeon, Towyn—Was called to attend Brutus Lloyd on Towyn fair night. He was severely wounded in four places He had wounds about three inches long under the arm, and another in the back three inche, long and I, inch in depth. There was another (not severe) near the spine, and another near the eighth and ninth rib. He appeared very ex- hausted, his pulse were very feeble, and he had difficulty in breathing. The wounds, especially the last, were ex- ceedingly dangerous. His life he considered in danger for about a week after. The knife produced was capable of producing all the wounds described. Mr. M'Intyre then addressed the jury for the defence. He called their attention to the fact of the absence of intent to cut and maim the prosecutor. They were iu entire ignorance as to the origin of the scuffle. This they knew-the prisoner was struggling with John Owen Jones on the ground, and Lloy(l, litiviiig previously been drinking in the village, came there, and, most probably, assisted Jones in attacking the prisoner, who (very im- properly no doubt) protected himself with the knife from the attacks of men stronger than himself. There was no iutent to do grievous bixlily harm, further than to defend himself, which, in point of law, was unlawfully wounding. His LOHDSIIIF summed up, and read over to the jury the charge contained in the indictment. He specially called their attention to the point of law which the learned counsel for the prisoner had very clearly laid before them, and commented at some length upon the evidence adduced. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of unlawfully wounding. Witnesses to character were called. The prisoner was sentenced to twelve months' hard labour. II J had already been in prison six months. STEALIXO A COAT. William Barker, aged 21, pleaded not guilty to having stolen a coat, the property of kir. %V. Williams, Half- way House, Dolgelley, ou the 20th December last. Mr. M'Intyre prosecuted, the prisoner being unde- fended. Jane WilliatllA, the wife of the prosecutor—I lost a coat of my husband's on the 20th of December last. Saw it in the house on the back of the settle, on that day, and missed it that day also. William Kowlands said he kept a lodging-house at Barmouth. Some time aftcr Christmas prisoner left a coat at his house as a pledge. David Itowlands, police-officer, went to the house of last witness, where he found the coat produced. The prisoner then made a long statement to the effect that he met with a man whom he accompanied to Dol- gelley and in walking home to Barmouth he went to a spot which he and the other man had before visited, and among some leaves found the coat in question, vile returned it thinking the mau would call for it. Hence the charge preferred against him. The High-Sheriff being sworn, said—The prisoner gave the address of a man who he said had taken the coat. He gave two addresses to me as to where the man might be found. He stated to me nearly the same story as he has now stated, and added that he had not the remotest idea for two months that the coat had been stolen. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. AliSON. John Anderson, aged 2i), pleaded not guilty to having feloniously set fire to a certain stack of hay, the pro- perty of one William Pugh, Rhiwgoch, Trawsfynydd, on the (ith October last. Thomas Taylor, aged 30, pleaded guilty to the same offence. The case against John Anderson was then proceeded with. Mr. M. Lloyd prosecuted, the prisoner being un- defended. Morris Pugh said that on the night of the 6th Oc- tober last he saw the prisoner and another man within about 100 yards of a hay stack, the property of his father, which was on tire. He asked them to assist him in putting the fire out. Did not understand anything they said to him but they did not assist him. No one was near to the place at the time but the two men. He had seen it safe about five minutes before. There was a cowhouse within three yards of the stack. By his LOltDSHIP- The fire surrounded the stack. The loss was about two pounds. About 6 or 7 cwts. were burnt. P.C. Enoch Roberts said—Took the prisoners into custody. Found them on the road. Charged them with the offence, when they both admitted having com- mitted it. Hia LORDSHIP summed np, and the jury without the least hesitation returned a verdict of guilty. A previous conviction for felony at York in 1862 was proved against Anderson. John Anderson was sentenced to seven years penal servitude, and Thomas Taylor to six years' penal ser- vitude. Thorms Burns and John Donovan were charged with setting fire to farm-buildings at Hendre ddu, near Bala, on the 31st October last. Burns pleaded guilty, aud Donovan not guilty to the charge laid against them. Mr. Horatio Lloyd stated the casa against tho prisoner Burns, and called Mr Hobert Ellis, Hendre ddu, who said-On the farm held by me there is a building called Fotty. It is divided into four compartments. On the 31st October last whilst working in the field heard Sarah Evans crying out that Fotty was on fire. It issued from above (the hay loft) and the storehouse. The threshing floor waS between the shed and the storehouse. There was no fire there. Mr. E. Parry Jones and others were there assisting. The whole of the entire building was des- troyed. Heard the footsteps of persons running away in the direction <?f Fotty. Sarah Evans—1 live near tho prosecutor's farm. I called the attention of Mr. Ellis to the fire that was raging at Fotty. Saw two men near the place. They had light clothes on. Mr. David Jones, Baja-About two o'clock on the day in question I overtook the prisoners before I came to the prosecutor's farm. They were standing. Mr. E. Parry Ioties-I saw Fotty on fire at hft-f-past 2 o'clock on the day in question. Was the first to see the building on fire. It was in the hayloft and the storehouse. Cross-examined by the prisoner—It had burnt but little when I arrived there. Inspector Hughes—On the 31st October I appre- hended the prisoners in Bala. They were together. When charging them, Donovan said-" W e put it on fire accidentally by lighting our pipes, and we have come to Bala to give ourselves up." The prisoner (Donovan) said lie denied any such co- wardly act, ati(l,,iii(i that Burns when lighting his pipe set fire to the buildings, which he could prove himself. Burns was then called and examined in defence. He said—I put this place on tire; it was not accidental, but intentional on'my part. Donovan was with me at the time. He saw me doing it; but lie did not try to put it out. He then ran away. His LORDSHIP then summed up, and the jury 74fter a brief deliberation brought in a verdict of guilty. Both were then sentenced to seven years' penal ser- vitude. CHARGE OF M VNSLAUGtlTER, AT DINAS MAWDDvTY. Rowland Davies (on bail), 55, farm labourer, was in- dicted for causing the death of Thomas Nicholas, coach- man to Mr. Bucklay, of Bryn, near Dinas Mawddwy. Mr. Mclntyre prosecuted, and after stating the case to the jury, called David Williams, who said he lived at the Red Lion, Dinas Mawddwy. He knew Mr. Buckley's coachman, Thomas Nicholas, and saw him at Dinas Mawddwy on the 2ith October last. He left with him foi- Bryn, tt half-past 8; they had to cross a, bridge; Nicholas wai driving the waggonette, and his wife wa. sitting beside him. When they got to Abercywarth bridge he saw the rear horse shy a bit and the waggonette struck ngainst the gatepost on the side of the road it after- wards struck against the parapet of the bridge, then against something on the left hand side, which threw the carriage against the bridge parapet on the right hand side the conchman was pitched over the parapet into the river. The waggonette struck against the wag gon on tl e left hand side. The tracing produced is a correct r presentation of the bridge at that time. We were trotting at the time, but not very fast. Cross-examined by Mr. Morgan Lloyd—Witness was going with deceased for a kindness, because he was rather drunk; Mrs. Nicholas was not thiownout; the waggon was close to the cottage on the left hand side of the road the bridge narrows on the left hand side, and the waggon was placed on the widest part of the road- way the gate post is 7 to S feet from the parapet; it was very dark, but we had lamps; witness left de- ceased in the river, borrowed a saddle, and rode one of the horses to Bryn nobody assisted Nicholas into the carriage at Din is Mawddwy. Mary Nicholas, widow of deceased, said she was with her husband on the night in question; the waggonette struck against the parapet on the left side of the bridge, then went on to the other side and was thrown over, de- ceased was thrown into the river. P.C. Edward Davie J, on the night in question was sent for, and found the body of .deceased in the river about half a mile below the bridge; was present when the pian produced was made, and it is correct; he saw that the wheel had touched the bridge, and a stone was displaced the carriage is 5 feet 1 inch wide from axle to axle Nicholas was quite dead when he found him. Cross-examined—It appeared to witness that the waggonette had gone with considerable force against the parapet. Evan Rees, farmer of Tynypwll, about half a mile from Abercywarth bridge, said that on the 24th October he went to Ceninies Road Station for coals; ho had the waggon of Ann Jones, a horse of his own, and a horse of Mrs. Jones. Prisoner ctuis there when they were unloading, and the two went on together to Mrs. Jones', near to Abercywarth bridge the horses' heads were to- wards the bridge, but had not gone on to it. Witness took out his horse, and prisoner took his to Maesy- beuddu. Witness told prisoner to remove his waggon, that Nlr. Buckley's coachman would be passing by that way; it was between six and seven in the evening, but not very dark; there was a tou of coal in prisoner's waggon. Ann Jones said she lives close to Abercywarth bridge on the Dinas Mawddwy side; she had a ton of coals to be brought by Nlrs. Ann Jones's waggon; she recollected last witness and prisoner coming with it they did not unload the coals that da;, but went away with the horses; the waggon had got as rar as her hottse; witness t >ld prisoner that Mr. Buckeley's carriage was down at Dinas, and lie said there was room. Cross-examined—There was a. light on the waggon from the wiudow of a cottage on the same side of the road. ( Vr. Richard Griffith, surgeon, Abereirch—Saw the deceased, and in his opinion the cause or death was con- cussion of the brain. This closed the case for the prosecution, and Mr. MORGAN LLOYD proceeded to address the Jury on be- half of the prisoner. He contended that it had not been proved that prisoner had been guilty of culpable negli- genc, since after the removal of Kees's horse he had not the means of taking away the waggon. And in any case he contended ample room was left for the passage of the waggonette, and that the upsetting of the latter was entirely owing to the drunkenness of the unfortunate deceased, who was driving. Evan Rees was recalled by the JUDGE, and stated that the horse lie first unyoked from the waggon was the wheeler,"—it was a narrow-wheeled waggon, loaded with a ton-and-a-half of coal which they had brought about seven miles. His LonDsniP then lucidly summed up the case to the Jury, who acquitted the prisoner. POACnrXG AT OROGGEN*. Wm. Williams, 2'2, farmer, Evan Robert*, 21, labourer, Hair;/ Darter, *21, farmer, surrendered to their bail, and pleaded guilty to entering lands belonging to Henry Ro- bertson, Esq., M.P., for the purpose of destroying game. \1 I'. Morgan Lloyd, who appeared for the prisoner- addressed his Lordship in mitigation of punishment. He said the prisoners did it more as a lark, than anything else, and it was entirely their own act to plead guilty. Mr. Ralph, who appeared for the prosecution, said that if it met with the concurrence of the learned Judge, the prosecutor would be satisfied if the prisoners were discharged on their own recognizances to appear when called upon for judgment. The JUDGE said the prosecutor had behaved with great liberality and discretion, and then directed the prisoner. to be discharged, having previously cautioned them as to their future conduct. The Court then adjourned to half-past nine o'clock the following morning. WEDNESDAY. THE CHARGE OF MURDER AT TRAWSFYNYDD. His Lordship took his seat on the Bench precisely at half-past nine o'clock, when the following were sworn | on the PETTY JURY Mr. John Robert Davies, Corsygedol Anns Hotel, Barmouth, torenmn J. It E.lwards, Caergethin, Llanfair Griffith Ellis, builder, Dolgelley W. Evans. Lion Inn, Cvnwyd Edmund Grifflths, Tyddyn du Robert Hughes. Felin newydd Thonws Jones, druggist, Bala John Maddocks, Brynmor, Towyn Wm. Morgan. Ynys farm Ellis Pugh, Llanfair uchaf John li Pt'gil, Llanenddwp Owen Roberts, Fron goch A True Bill was found by the Grand Jury on the previous day against John Williams, for WILFUL MURDER. The prisoner, who is a middle-aged and respectable- looking fanner, upon being charged by the interpreter, (Mr. Jones, solicitor, Dolgelley), pleaded in a firm voice Not Ouiity." Mr. Horatio Llovd and Mr. Hilton conducted the case on behalf of the Crown-instructed by Nir. D. Pugh, Dolgelley; Mr. Mclntyre and Mr. Morgan Lloyd, instructed by Mr. J. Humphreys Jones, Port. madoc, appeared for the defence. The court was crowded in every part, almost to suffo- cation and a large concourse of persons was assembled outside the hall vainly endeavouring to gain admission. The admirable arrangements made by the High-Sheriff (H, Meredyth Richards, Esq.) with the assistance of the Under-Sheriff (Wm. Griffith, Esq., Dolgelley), ensured perfect order and decorum. Mr. Horatio Lloyd in stating the case to the jury, said that the investigation upon which they were ell. tering was one to which the county of (Merioueth, for- tunately, had been a stranger for many years, and happy would it have been for the county and for them if the immunity had been longer continued, and they had been spared a duty, the faithful discharge of which was not more imperatively required by the oaths they had taken than what was due to their own consciences. They were assembled to discharge a most solemn duty —to sit in judgment upon a fellow-creature charged with a crime the issue of which to him would be life or death. It was unnecessary therefore for him to say more to bespeak their most earnest attention to the whole inquiry; the importance of the case, both to the public and the prisoner, demanded it. The fact to which he had already alluded, that so long a time had elapsed since the investigation of a similar case in that county, well as the magnitude of the crime itself, had neces- sarily invested it with a painful degree of interest, and in all probability discussions had taken place and opi. nions been formed with respect to the case. If any such discussion should have taken place in their neigh- bourhoods be begged them not to allow it to affect their judgment. They must discard from their minds whatever they might have read or heard on the subject, and form their Terdiet upon the evidence that would be produced before them that day. If the evidence he should call failed to satisfy their minds of the prisoner's guilt, they would of course say so by their verdict; but if on the other hand the case was established against him beyond a reasonable doubt, he felt sure that they would discharge their duty both to society and their own consciences by fearlessly pronouncing a verdict of guilty. The learned counsel then proceeded to detail the partiulars of the unhappy occurrence, which he did in all able and lucid manner, commenting as he pro. ceeded upon the more important points of the case. The prisoner, he said, was charged with the wilful murder of William Rowlands, on the 30th of November last. It would not surprise those who were natives of the Principality that the prisoner and deceased, th, ,u,h having different surnames, were brothers. They jointly occupied a farm called Dolhaidd, situate in the some- what retired Valley of Cwm Prysor, in the pirish of Trawsfynydd. They occupied the farm under Sir Wat- kin W. Wynn; and "had lived there several years. There was only one house, but it was so divided as to form separate habitations for the two families, with but one approach from the outside. The deceased, who lived with his wife and son, was 61 years of age, and the pri- soner was 49. Quarrels were not unfrequent between the two brothers, but the fact of their having lived so long together, he thought, rather tended to show that they had not been of amalignant character. Whether the fact of the existence of those quarrels had anything to do with their leaving he could not say, but in the course of last year Sir Watkin gave notice to the two brothers to terminate the tenancy, but an intimation was made at the same time that one of them might re- main. The deceased had made up his mind to %ave at the expiration of the tenancy in the present montn of March, and in October a valuation of the stock and other effects was made, and it was agreed that the pri- soner should pay over to his brother and con- tinue his occupation of Dolhaidd. And he believed that amount had since been paid over to the deceaseds representatives. The deceased had taken another farm in the neighbourhood called Brynteg, and his s m was already living there, and it was arranged that his father and mother should shortly follow. That was the ,t itp, of matters on the morning of the 30th of November. On that morning the deceased, who was in his u-nal state of health, went out about half-past eight o'clock, to go to Cefn Hendre farm. occupied by Mr. lvlward Thomas, to borrow a chaff cutter. Cefn Hendre was about 2-50 yards from Dvdhaidd. Deceased was told he might have the cha: cutter, and in about twenty mi- nutes after he had lef", Mr. Edward Thomas who was in his loft heard a noise that he thought was the voice of deceased and he heard more than once the words My life." He came down from the loft and saw the prisoner in the act of getting from off the deceased. Just before that he had seen him bending over the de- ceased. He afterwards saw him lift him up by the arms as if attempting to make him stand, and then let him drop again. The prisoner then went towards Dol- haidd. Edward Thomas subsequently saw the deceased walk a little way, and then stagger and fall upon his back. Thomas ran towards him and called for assist- ance. During the absence of deceased, his wife heard a noise which she thought was his voice, but it being a wet and stormy morning she could not distinctly hear what was said. She, however, went out and met the prisoner, who said to her, "Go to William, he has struck me with a stick," and then went into the house without making any further remark. The wife went towards her husband, where she met Edward Thomas; the de- ceased, who never spoke, had a tremendous wound on the side of the throat, and also two other wounds. They carried him into the house at Dolhaidd, where he died in a few minutes afterwards. Although there was only lOf) yards from where deceased lay to Dolhaidd, Edward Thomas was unable to get any assistance when he called for it, and the prisoner who had just goue there a few minutes previously was nowhere to be found. In about ten minutes after deceased had died the prisoner came into the room, and said the deceased would come to himself—he was only pretending." The prisoner's conduct at the time would be described to them by the witness Edward Thomas, who although a neighbour would not prejudice the case against him; and they would hear from him that the prisoner's con- duct was such that he told him he hoped he would re- tire unless he conducted himself more quietly. A police constable was s,'nt for, who arrived in three or four hours afterwards, and in the meantime nothing had been done to the body beyond shaving, On his way to Dolhaidd, the police-officer in passing the ditch where the de- ceased was found, saw marks of a struggle, but he could not find any knife or instrument with which the wounds could have been inflicted. He also searched the place thirty yards disfcmfc from where the deceased had walked before his final fall, but faiied to discover any instrument. The Officer then went to Dolhaidd and took the prisoner into custody, and in his pocket he found a knife which would be produced before them. It did not show any stain of blood, and though it had been microscopically examined by Professor Taylor no trace of blood was found upon it. But they would hear from Professor Taylor, that if the knife was immediately iipmersed in water the blood would float off it, leaving a little rust as shown on the knife. The learned counsel then read the statements made by the prisoner to the officer when taken into custody, and subsequently at the lock-up in hentwrog, which will be found em- bodied in the evidence; and proceeded to say that there was no doubt the deceased met his death from the wounds in his throat. The question for the jury to decide would be, by whom were those wounds inflicted. It must have been either by the prisoner or deceased. The prisoner by his statement to the officer denied having done it, and if his story was true the deed must have been done by himself. The medical men would tell them that the wounds must have been inflicted by three distinct cuts, and though they would not go so far as to say it was impossible, they would tell them that it was in the highest degree improbable that the deceased could have inlficted them himself. Ai),l if lie did not do it, then came the question, who did it ? In elucidating that point, the evidence of I'M ward Thomas would be most important, as he not only saw the pri- soner kueeling on the deceased, but afterwards raise him up and let him fill again. The prisoners absence when Edward Thomas called for assistance militated against him, and his statements to the police-officer were inconsistent with the facts of the case. In con- clusinn. the learned counsel bespoke the most attentive and impartial consideration of the jury, and without regard to consequences, urged them honestly aud fear- lessly to discharge their duty to their country and to their own consciences. The following witnesses were then examined on be' half of the prosecution Mr. Pie rce, surveyor of the county of Merioneth, pro- duced a plan aud a survey made by himself of Dolhaidd, the scene of the alleged murder, and swore to its cor- rectness. Catherine Rowlands, widow of the late Wm. Row- lands, said—I live now at Brynteg with my son; I lived for many years with my late husband at Dolhaidd. The prisoner is a brother of my husband's, and both lived together. John Williams was the tenant. I anll my hust«a»d lired in one part of the house, and pri- soner and his wife in the other. My husband's age was 61 years. They were occasionally friendly. Had no- tice to quit the farm last year; the prisoner was to re- main there, and we were to live at Brynteg. My hus- band took Brynteg, and my son went there to live about a week previous to this occurrence; he need not have left till March. I intended to have gone to Brynteg the next morning, the 1st of December; and my husband intenfictl to go there as soon as he could. After taking Brynteg, the prisoner took, at a valuation, the sheep and the hay at Dolhaidd we had sold the rest to other par- ties. There was a balance remaining unpaid by the prisoner for sheep and hay to my late husband; I think it was £ 57. Remember my husband leaving home on the morning of the 30th November. The X57 was an old balance left unpaid before the valuation took place. The money for the stock (4400) was paid. On the 30th November my husband left Dolhaidd before breakfast. Edward Thomas lives at Hendre, which is close to Dol-