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' when others will be there to assist th...
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stating there was a quarter of an h0Ur b...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Staxp1eld-Hall Murders. Korfolk Assi...
eel vexed when I desired you to tell Mrs . St ? cey tot 1 was going to marry a _rteh widow ? -r ' _-cness 2 _fa * I looked upon it as a joke , and _laughed . You told ' me I should wear weeds , and I _replied that as soon as ever I did so , I should marr _*; again . I -wrote io vou from Mrs . Staccy ' s on t <\ e subject of thc a «* reement with Mr . Jermy , _w-Yich I signed falsely , and vou quarrelled -with m _<; Violently for so doing , sayin" that if I wished _ie _Complain I ought to do it persoualiy > aud you \ f _ofcld not have such a letter fell into thc hands of Jaites or Mary or anyouc else for thc world . I went to mv bedroom , and after I had and said
beca ttere fur _^ me time you came that Mrs . Stacey wdfeld hear me crying so , and that 1 had better go to the sitting-room . You aho said , « Wc must 'feake it up , and think no more about it . " i ffi * _t np a copyof mylcttcr _^ _- _^ m ' quired Writ . Thc paper now produced is one of _thc'thrcc'copied by me at Potash . _—Prisf-acr : Will vou SW « S * vou shincd that paper m say presence < —Witrt _^ S ; I _anTsure I did , while yea were stand-Ill" by _= Eiy side . —EmUy Sandford he * e _Retired for a _short-gme in order to attend to the -wants of her infarit-fcnd to take some refreshment , and the Court directed another witness to _becxsisincd in the
_in" _Mt . Babox Rolfe here put _*» a letter which he 1 feed received that morning , a , _cojjiy of which it stated 1 -was sent to the prisoner . Mr . S _? iHson handed a letter to Rush , which he read wftfeoiJS making any obser-i ration . _^ Mr . Pissox , governor of _J-tfrwich Gaol , examined * : ! I was present at the _cwss-examination of Emily Sandford , on the 14 th "of December . Heard tho prisoner say ( referring t « _Ibsr signing her _evidesce ) , " If she signs that I _hojee i ker hand will rot ; _aad if she bears a child by me \ nope it will be bora -with a brand on it , " I _recek-ed the letter ( produced } from the prisoner aft « r < feat ( the letter addressed to Emily Sandford ) . He * £ sked me to send it to Mr . Cann . I vras _preseefcUt the examination before the magistrates . The njsamer ' s behaviour on _$ rat occasion was very _violent . He called thesa -a set of villains , but witness _e s attention was mow directed to the actions thaa * i _3 the words of the srasoner _.
_Hoxou Holmes - Oiamined by Mr . £ * _rx * ss ; "Was kitchen-maid at Stanfield Hall , and on the 2 Sth of _November went _t-o'the bridge over the moat about half-past ei g ht -o ' clock ; found there three young men , Harvey , _Uodd , Howes , and s young roan named Leach . Clarke , another woman servant , * was there too . _Tfe-y all went towards Eetteringham , through the gate . Just after they -went through , -witness heard "the report of a gun < or of a pistol . "Was looking firom the house at the time . Did not see _anvthinff . "Went on towards _Ketterimrhanhfiate
in the middTcof the lawn . Before she got there she heard two ntsre reports . Heard _fee _dinir _** r 4 rell ring also . Leach and witness then returned buck into the house , round by the bleach-way and the -stables , and _througfe-the back door . When she got in she heard Chestney call , and found her at the bottom of the staircase . Picked up a paper about twenty minutes _afterwards ( identified the notice left in the hall ) , just . fast Eliza Chestney _' s feet , in the passage leading from the kitchen to the staircase kail near the back stairs . Before that had heard _asoise
outside the house , like people walking past . Heard it about three times . It was about eight o ' clock Itwaslikeaperson walking past the kitchen window . Looked eut to see what it was , but could not see any one . Two days before the murder , as witness and Eliza Chestney were at the outside door , about ei ght o ' clock , they obserred a li g ht Moving across the laws , and a figure , which appeared like that of a man with a cloak on him , going towards Wymondiam-gate . He was about 100 yards away . About a week before that saw a light on the lawn also ; but no figure ofa man . Eliza Chestney was -with her at the time . The night was very dark . The light was lost at the lodge-gate . —Cross-examined : When she went out on the 28 th of _November she left the
cook and Chestney in the servants' hall . Clarke told her there were persons waiting outside . None of them went back to get their bonnets and shawls . The persons she had named were standing outside the gate ; remained there about nine minutes . They _^ all went away when they heard the report of the gun . Witness stood next to Harvey at the time -of the report . After the gun went off she heard a groan . Harvey said he heard some one . Be ako said he saw a man . After the first report leard a door bang very loud . Had gone about 240 yards before she heard the next report . They all returned back when they heard the bell ring . It was about twenty minutes from the time they left the Hall till they returned . Picked up the paper
near Eliza Chestney In the passage . Hid not pick up two papers . Did not hear of another paper being picked up at the time . Heard of it afterwards . Heard of Watson picking it up and throwing it down again . Heard the tico _" reports quite plain . "Was about 245 yards off at the time . It was half an Lour before she gave the paper she picked up to Candle Clarke . Saw no person while out that night except those she was with . There was a light inthc passage that night which leads to the butler ' s Jantry . After the first shot saw no one pass the i ght from tlie porch towards the passage , The day after thc murder Emily Sandford went into the servants" haU before she went into the pantry . She said she -was verv faint and witness made her seme
tea . She asked how Mrs , Jenny and the maid were . Said it was a dreadful thins * . Asked witness if prisoner had been there that Hay ( Wednesday ) . Witness replied , "Yes . " Had never seen Emily Sandford since that time to the present . Had not got the newspapers to read at the Hall since the transaction . The young men she had mentioned used to come about the house , but not round by the window . Re-examined : All turned round to look at thc Hall after the shot was fired , and then ran on . It was about 250 yards from the lodge when they heard the two reports , and about 140 yards from the drive-gate when they heard the bell ring . Heard three reports and the banging of the door . There was no interval between the two last reports . Jons Staxikx examined : Was at Stanfield Hall
on 2 Sth _November , at nine o ' clock . Thc paper produced was given to him by Watson ( the other notice ) . —Cross-examined : Was at his brother ' s , near the church , when he first heard anything had happened at thc Hall . Was _first told of it b y the servant . _Tnsscd Mr , > _*? . Cann as he was going . Went through the gate , and saw no one whatever till he got to the Hall . Could not say whether it was _sodark that he could not have seen any one on his way . It was a dark blustering ni ght . Went from the bridge to the stable yard . Was the first person from Wymondham . About five minutes after
ins arrival saw Air . Jermy , sen ., lying dead in the porch . Watson told him he found the paper in the passage leading to the servants' hall . Was not more than seven or eight minutes going to the Hall . Knew the time , because he was with Mr . Candle Clarke , at half-past eight , and heard the report about twenty minutes after , at his brother ' s . Got Jiis horse when he went home . JIad not observed "Watson ' s dress when he handed him the notice . Had not picked up any pieces of lead . Had seen pamphlets circulated as to the disagreement between Mr .-Jermy and prisoner .
Jesse White , accountant , of Wymondham , had ooen acting as clerk for three or four years to the prisoner , when he was an auctioneer and valuer at that _jnacc . Had often seen him write , and had copied papers after him . Believed the letters sent through Mr . Pinson to Mr . Cann , another dated 2 Sthof April ISiS , ( not yet put in ); another 2 nd of _Octo'ber , 1848 , to Mr . Heed ; a notice of tbe 29 th of October , 1 S 4 S , signed " Jenny , Jermy , " and _relatinj -to _felmingnam farm ; three notice's—23 rd of _October , 1 S 4 S , 26 th of October , 184 S , blank day of October , -384 S , ( signatures only ) , two papers produced by Emily Sandford ( signatures ) , and the _notices found in the Hall , to be in thc hand writing of Mr . Hush . The last were not in his usual hand .
—Cross-examined : His reasons for thinking so were on account of certain letters in them—letters in some words . The witness pointed out those letters which he _ thought bore the most evident marks of being written % the prisoner , and was subjected to a severe ordeal-by the latter , -who , having been furnished with one . of the notices while the witness held one ofthe letter * , asked him to point out in pencil in the latter those letters which were best known to him , and most like the letters he had sworn to in the notice . Had last seen the prisoner ' s hand-writ ing at the Lent Aseizes in 1848 , for the action on the breach of covenant . Had then copied some letters for the prisoner . Believed the notices to be written by prisoner before he saw some letters
which had been receatly shown to him . —Re-examined : Went by the general character of prisoner ' s hand in speaking to these notices . Mr . T . Gerrard , bookseller and stationer , of _Norwich , deposed that fse prisoner had oeeasionallv dealt at his shop . In 1844 made up gets of mercantile account books , of five & ooks , three large and two small . ( Produced a set of those books . ) The three were _ledger , post ledger , aad daybook . The daybook hadno flyleaf . The marble covers were -gene-• rally of the same description _^ paper in two of _isose _Looks . In the _daybooks tho s & eets next the _coders _vere ruled , and tide paper being < _gamp , and the pres _sure great , the _consequence was that the lines ou tbe leaves left a faint tracing ia _£ he covers . The books found in Potash-farm ( pro _& eced ) were ofa
description to those of which he has fust spoken , though covered with a different patern of marbte paper . The cofprs produced _( ifeose on which the noffces left in _thefeaU-were wri tten ) were also of the same kind as the covers of the books of which : be spoke . On esamining _-the- « overg he found there was a space on which there-- * ai «» ht have been a label similar to that , on the boeksne sold . It had been nibbed off ; but oa measuring the space hefound _itwjfc ofthe _samoflize-as those labels he put on his books ,. Had . no doubt the two covers found in . the _Hallhad formed part of-the same bojok . Helievcd . them ' to have formed the covers of one of _thesetlof Jbobks . madeJbyhim , and believedtMtt © h ave been the day-book , - Sis reason was tbe existence of those marks . —Cross-oxamined by the prisoner : Had made i < _0 sets of : those books ' in 1844 . Some years before-that- had made another set with the
The Staxp1eld-Hall Murders. Korfolk Assi...
labels ofa larger sl « e , but similar in other respects . Had only _twelve sets of the 100 remaining ; had found the lines alluded to in all the daybooks he had examined . Did not know whether prisoner had always had invorces of goods at his shop ; he had had an account extending over several years . —Prisoner ( having one of the books in _hia hands ); How did you find out that the . size ofthe labels aud ofthe space on the covers corresponded?—By bending down one of the covers of my own book over the space , and comparing the label with the space . — The prisoner here insisted that witness should cut a piece of paper the sire of a label . Mr . S . _BiGSOtD , Mayor of Norwich * Knew the late Mr . Jermy , and was well acquainted with his handwriting . The documents produced ( the pretended agreements between Mr . Jermy and the
prisoner as to thc Potash Farm ) were not in Mr . Jenny ' s handwriting . — Cross-examined by the prisoner : Had not seen the papers produced before he saw them at the Castle . Had never at any time said they were written by Mr . Jermy . Thought so because of the characters of the writing . In one particularly , the "J" used by Mr . Jormy . —To thc Court : " There is ths appearance of tracing under some of the writing in one of the agreements . Mr . Caudle C _^ abke produced a deed executed by the late Mr . Jenny , reciting two former mortgages on Potash Farm , and seting forth the advance of another sum _© f money up to the 30 th of November , 1848 , on _Potesh , at four per -cent . Margabei Doe proved fcer signature as attesting witness to the deed , aswcS as the signature ofthe i prisoner and ofthe late Kr . Jermy .
The prisoner was allowed to examine the deed and compare the signatures . Miss Emilt Sanm-oKd was then recalled , and her cross-cxaniination by the prisoner resumed . She said , 1 cannot swear I ever saw you sign a paper in which Mr . Jermy _' _-s signature appeared , I am not aware that I have imitated other people ' s writing before you , but Icau write different hands if I like , I have at prescat a squaro box aud the name '" George Preston" on it , which you gave me at Mrs . Stacy ' s to take care of . I have had no money g iven me since I lived with you , —Prisoner : Did I not give you money a short time before the murder ? and did you consider it as lent or given ?—Witness You gave me £ 5 . I also bought a bed in London with your money . These I considered presents from you . ( The receipt for the price of the bed was put in evidence . ) When you were in London you
passed as my uncle . —Prisoner : Do you not know I had no money of my own , and that the bills which I now produce were paid for out of my mother ' s money ?—Witness : No . — Prisoner : I ask you again , did you not alter these bills from Mr . James , intended for me , to Mrs . James , for yourself?—Witness : _Xo ; I never altered it or saw the word altered . —Prisoner : Do you not know that the piano , sofa , and other articles which were bought on that occasion were paid for out of my mother ' s money!—Witness : _~ So , I don ' t know where the money came from . —The prisoner was proceeding to ask other questions of the same kind , when the Judge interrupted him , and said that he could not allow him to put them unless he made out a prima facie reason for doing so . The prisoner thereupon intimated that he had closed his cross-examination , and Miss Sandford ltft the witness-box after the
long and trying ordeal through which she had passed , pale , but perfectl y firm , and having impressed the whole Court with a strong sense of the propriety with which she had conducted herself in the witness-box . Mr . James Bought ** said—I was at Stanfield Hall on the 28 th , about twenty minutes after nine , and found there the ramrod which I now produce . It lay near the body of the young Mr . Jermy , and by the skirting . I saw shot marks on the opposite side of the waff . —Cross-examined by the prisoner : In stating the hour I was at Stanfield Hall , I am not guided by railway but by Wymondham time , having come thence in a fly with three others . —The prisoner requested that the ramrod mi g ht be handed up to him , and he examined it minutely . It looked like
the ramrod ofa large pistol . I William Bailey said—I remember the prisoner I coming to my house on Friday , the 24 th of _Novem' ber , and asking mc how much corn I had dressed for him . He said that was quite rig ht when I told him the amount . He then asked if the' two Messrs . Jenny were at home , and I said they were when I left the Hall , where I worked . That was all that was said about the corn , which the prisoner did not pay for . —Cross-examined by the _jirisoner : I was p aid for some ofthe corn dressed , iu which work _fsavory assisted me . I went home at five o'clock on the night of the murder , and remained at home all nig ht . Reed came to me and mentioned what had happened . I saw no strangers about my cottage that night . Elizabeth Cooper , living at East Carlton , said—I remember the day of the murder at Stanfield Hall , and was at the lodge entrance on that day , I was
leaving , but had not got out ofthe grounds when I met Mr . Rush . He was going towards the Hall . He asked me if I was belonging to the Hall , and I said "So , I have only come from it . " He then asked if the Messrs . Jermy were at home , and I told him I saw them about half-an-hour before with the men planting . He then turned back and followed me for a short time , I had got through the gate , and to the right towards home about 100 yards , when he asked again if I belonged to the Hall . I repeated my former answer . This was in the dusk between four and five o clock on the nig ht of the murder . — Cross-examined by the prisoner : When I saw you I saw Mrs . Bailey at the same time . You were not with her , nor did I see you speak to her . I did not look back till you called me again . I never saw Mrs . Bailey move away from the spot where she first stood .
CnABL . ES B . _Coiso !* , keeper of the toll-gate at Cringleford _, between Wymondham and Potash Farm , said , Mr . Rush came to me a week or ten days before the murders , and asked if the Messrs . Jermy had gone home . He made only one inquiry that day , but he made another inquiry of the same kind about a week after , on both occasions calling between three and five , in the dusk ofthe evening . —Cross-examined by the prisoner : The first inquiry mi g ht have , been ten or twelve days before the murders , * thc second was on a Saturday evening . Jons _Cilm-li : _* , the gatekeeper on the railroad at the Wymondham crossins " , which is on the road trom Stanfield to Norwich , sam , I saw Mr . Rush on the Saturday before the murders , and he asked me if old Mr . Jermy had been through that morning . I said I had not seen him .
William _Frederick Howe , living in London , said , I was a clerk to Mr . Waugh , Bedford-row , in _1 S 47 . —Prisoner : I would esteem it a great favour if the examination of this witness was put off till Monday . —The Judge : I have no objection to your deferring thc cross-examination till then . —Witness : Li 1 S 47 , 1 was in Catherine-street , Strand—at Jessop ' s wine and refreshment rooms with tho prisoner , and a fighting man came in . Mr . Rush asked who he was , and his name was mentioned as Samuel Simmonds . Mr . Rush then took up a glass of claret which was before him , and said , "If I could strike like him , I would knock down Jermy like a bullock . " Very early in 1848 , at Mr . Waugh ' s office , there was an action of ejectment going on for Sir . Rush ; and the prisoner and I were walking down James-street , when he said , with reference to the
action and Mr . Jermy , " It will not be long before I serve hira with an ejectment , or he has an ejectment , for the other world . " When Mr . Waugh was out I used to see Mi * . Rush , and though his expressions in respect to Mr . Jermy on these occasions were unfriendly , they were not violent . —The Judge : Do you wish the cross-examination to be put off ?—Prisoner : Certainly , my lord . —The Judge : I should have thought there would be no cross-examination at all . _Auueo Bahseixer , clerk at the Wymondham railway station , said , he had received from Mr . Rush several pamphlets to be given to different parties , but he had none himself .
James Skipper produced a pamphlet which he had received from the last witness . Robert Sunn , a boy in the employ of Mr . Rush , said , Hint on the ni ght of the murder he laid down straw on certain parts of Potash Farm leading to Stanfield Hall . He laid it on the parts of the ground that were dirty . —Mr . Prendergast : When did you lay that straw down ? Witness : About noontime on the Tuesday . ( Sensation . ) When I did so there was some straw on the ground which had been p laced there before . —Cross-examined by the prisoner : The workmen were at work in the turni p field that day , and there was carting going on . You were back and forwards during the day : and
as the eart passed you ordered the straw to be laid down in the worst places . There were thirteen or fourteen forks full of straw laid down . Some parts where I put the straw were quite impassable . There has been straw laid on this path ever since _harvest when the pigs went back and forward to feed there . I was employed by the young Mr . Hush , and not by you . —Mr . Prendergast : Was there any Hse for that path _then?—Witness : No ; not that -J know of . —Mr , Prendergast : Where did it lead to ? —Witness : To Mr . Jenny ' s Hall . It was a path there for no one else but those who lived at Potash . William Golekas , police-constable , examined <* n the morning sixer the murder went from Stanfield Hall across the fields to Potash . Found a
quantity of straw laid on the path leading up to the fields from Potash . There was no-straw till the grass ended . I compared the . time _betwoeft- 'the cloeksafc _thelatterjjaeeandat the former , audi found a quarter . of . an hour's difference between them . Tig latter were tbe faster . —rCross-examined 2 Jo one was with him when he did _so . _^—The prisoner . put a great many questions as to the state and position ol the straw- , which ended in nothing . —Re-exa _rn _, n l l , iart _«* - > I """ to w _» _lk from tne iiau to the farm . My watch was five minutes if n * a ? d _*& _eei with the Stanfield Hall clock . When I g 0 t _^ itit wag ten minutes after nine by my watch . The Potash clock was a quarter past j » i ) e .-Th e ud _^ ; what do you mean by
' When Others Will Be There To Assist Th...
APBIL 7 , 1849 . - 0 THE NORTHERN STAR . ¦ ' _;^ , __ f v . -- _—————^— - i i - - ¦ inn _iiiwim — ' ' mi mil i ¦—wiim * m _¦ ¦ - . i
Stating There Was A Quarter Of An H0ur B...
stating there was a quarter of an h 0 Ur between the Clocks ? -Witness : There w _* as just a _^^ of hour between them . ( A lau _* rh . )_ The Judge- You say when you arrived at Potash your watch was ten minutes past nino , and that the Potash clock was ' a quarter past nine . You also say there was a _, quarter of an hour between thc clocks . What time was it by the Potash clock when you arrived there f—Witness : It was half-past nine . ( Laughter . )—The Judge * . —Go down , su . It is not possible to rely upon your evidence . I don ' t think you mean to deceive , but you are so confused you don't know what to say . J . CoLvnxB deposed , that he mot in September last , the prisoner going from Stanfield Hall to Potash . ( Describea the course taken by prisoner , as to the particular paths he had taken . ) V _^ measured tho way and found it was seven _furlongs . The cross-examination did not elicit any faeA ; of me least importance .
The Court adjourned shortly after hi _« " lf . pas _- ; _a _^ _en o ' clock . Before the prisoner left the dock , the learned Judge said : As it is probable the case for the prosecution may close early on Monday , it would be desirable that you should be prepared for your defence . The prisoner said ho would be quite ready , and was removed to gaol . Monda y , April 2 . The Court satagain to-day at nine o ' clock . Rush looked somewhat paler and more fati gued to-day , and his head appears to have acquired a very sli ght paralytic tremor , but his manner throughout betrayed no abatement in the confidence and resolution with
which he has conducted his defence throughout . — The names of the jury _having been called over , — the Judge intimated that he nad received a letter with respect to a witness . He had laid the letter oefore the counsel for the prosecution , and he now ordered that it should be shown to the prisoner . The prisoner having read the letter said , I hope , my lord , you will postpone my cross-examination of Howe for a short time . I have had another important letter put into my hands with regard to him . George Post , county policeman , said , on Tuesday , 28 th of November , I was sent for to Stanfield Hall , and saw the bodies of both the Messrs . Jermy before they were removed . I picked up on the hall side of the lobby five slugs , which I now produce .
About nine or ten more policemen arrived at the Hall during the night , and by the magistrates ' order wo went to the Potash Farm , and stood at intervals near the house . While there , about three o ' clock , I heard a dog bark faintly , and I then saw Savory going from the back premises with a light to the kitchen . —[ The prisoner here applied for a seat , which was granted . ]—He shortly afterwards returned and came into the yard , still carrying the lantern with him . I sent him with a message to the prisoner , and he came back with a reply . The prisoner came down after the message to the kitchen , and I went in . —I said , " You must consider yourself my prisoner , on suspicion of having murdered the two Mr . Jermy ' s last night . "
Ihand-[ cuffed him at the same time . —He said " The two Mr . Jermy ' s murdered ! I don ' t like these handcuffs , God knows I'm clear of that . " I searehed him and found three small keys , which arc now produced . I also found half a sovereign , 13 s . Cd . in silver , fourteen keys of different sizes , a pocket book , containing a check , dated 25 th of November , 1848 , by a man named Cambler _, in favour of the prisoner , for £ 49 10 s . Mr . Sergeant _Btles read the following extracts from the pocket-book .: — " * 20 Sept ., 1848 . —Potash interest due . ' « Principal due 30 Nov ., 1848 . ' ' Friday , October 27 . —Called on Jermy . He has found out I am in earnest at last . ' * Nov . 21 st , Tuesday . —With the Recorder in the morning , agreed to see
him in the afternoon /"— . Prisoner . —My lord , there are several points which it was most important for me to bring forward , and the dates of which I could only find by reference to my pocket-book . I have applied to see it in order to find out where I was at ccrtaintimes . —Sergeant Byles . _^ You maysee it now . ( The pocket-book was handed up . )—Witness . —I went with the prisoner to his room upstairs . It was locked , and the prisoner having pointed out the key I went in , and went to a closet , which was locked , and which I entered . I found there two doublebarrelled guns , which are now produced . George Thompson , police-constable , identified the guus as having been in his poesession . He said , I unloaded the guns , which contained
mixed shot , and jhad caps " on the nipples . They arc now loaded with the same changes _ae were in them before . The barrels are respectively thirty-one and twenty-six inches in length . I also produce a box found on the mantelpiece , containing bullets and caps . George Post recalled : I saw one powder flask in the closet and another in a drawer of the bedroom table . I also saw a shot belt , but they were taken possession of by some of the other constables . I said to the prisoner , " You used to have pistols . " He replied , " I used to have , but I have none now . " I went with tho prisoner to the Wymondham Bridewell , starting about seven o ' clock in the morning . As we went along the prisoner said , " Is there any
one suspected besides me ? " and I answered , "I don't know . " He said I have been on much better terms of late with the old gentleman than I used to be . The young one and I could not get on . I think it was the last time I was at the Hall I told the old gentlemen I would not sign while the young man was in the room . The old gentleman then told the young one to leave ; and he answered , "I think I have a right to remain . "— Mr . Prendergast : What more ? — Witness : He said he had called at the lodge—but did not mention , when — to ascertain if the young Mr . Jermy was at home , as he thought he was at Norwich at the concert ; finding him at home he did not go , Had he gone he would have got there by eight o ' clock , as that was his usual time to get there . If he had , probably this
occurrence would not have taken place . He repeated that he was sorry for them . On Wednesday evening I examined the clocks at Potash and Stanfield-Hall by my own watch ; that at Potash was faster by a quarter of an hour . From the time that I apprehended the prisoner till lie was committed to Bridewell I was present with him , except while at breakfast at Potash , when Osborne was in charge of him . I heard him say in his bedroom , " It was about eight o ' clock when the affair happened , some of you say ? " whereupon one of the constables , named Mortar , replied , " No one said it but yourself . _"_ ( Sensation . ) I asked Savory for his master ' s boots , and he showed me a pair in the back kitchen , which I now produce . They are half boots , and were wet at the time . There was also found under
the bed a pair which was dry , and a heavy pair in the washhouse , also dry . I walked the distance from Stanfield Hall to Potash yesterday across the fields , and it took me fourteen minutes . —Cross-examined by the prisoner : There was a light when I picked up tlie pieces of lead in the staircase hall at Stanfield . I was not in thc brown parlour on tlie night when Watson was examined . I arrived thore about twenty minutes or half-past nine at night . I don't recollect seeing a carpet bag in the bedroom at Potash . I did not examine the large trunk which I found in the closet at Potash , but handed it to one ofthe other policemen . — Prisoner : Did I not tell you there were two guns there ? — Witness : Yes , and that they were loaded and capped . I handed them to Thompson and took off the caps . On Wednesday afternoon , at four o ' clock , I left Potash , and at that time no locks had been broken . I don ' t
recollect any papers lying about in either the parlour or keeping-room . I went to Potash with Emily Sandford on Friday night , after she had . been examined , and I found ei g ht or ten policemen there , but I had no recollection of seeing papers lying about on that occasion either . When I was going to Wymondham , the prisoner asked mo if I did not recollect one ofthe police saying it was about eight o ' clock when the two Messrs . Jermy were murdered ? I said , that at the time the prisoner spoke in the room I had a distant recollection that it had been mentioned , but I was not positive . ( The prisoner here wished the _^ depositions to be read declaring that this witness had perjured himself . The depositions were read , as were also those of Robert Thompson , but the discrepancy be tween their evidence and the depositions was very slight . ) the
_Jou « Mortar of the county police force , said that _^ _wl _*^ ' J Me 8 S 1 ' 8 ' ™ _yworekilled , and that ho was arrested , the prisoner said , " Good God ! I hope they don't suspect me . " _TheVisoner asked me when the murder took place ; but neither I nor anyone else told him . A little after that however the prisoner observed that ho understood it had taken place about eight o ' clock . I immediately said , "From whom did you hear that , as you are the first person who has named any time in this house ? He replied that he had heard one of the policemen say so ; but no one had made such a statement to him in my presence , though I was with him up to that time from the moment of his _arrest
He also observed that he would have been there about the time the murder happened unless he had been told that young Jermy was at home . Young Jermy was a great enemy of his , but the old gentleman and he were better friends than they had been . Stephen Amos , inspector of police at Norwich , corroborated the evidence of the last witness , as to what was said by the p risoner about the time ofthe murder , his conversation with the police at Potash , and on the way to Bridewell . " Thomas ' . Osborne , policeman at Norwich , said that before-breakfast , on the morning after the murder , the prisoner asked him which was the man who told him When the affair happened . He replied that no . such remark had been made down stairs . At breakfast with Emily Sandford , the _m-i ' _sonni- said
toner , - i am accused ot murdering Jermv Tt i _^ that fellow Clarke who has dono \ Won Ld Savory can clear me . - He . _washed my boots at halfpast five , and you know I didn ' t go out " After a pause he said , "Have they been askio ' n- about me-1 " Lilly Sandford saids - < The stout mfedSXir _« has been asking if you were last night / and I
Stating There Was A Quarter Of An H0ur B...
said you were away a quarter of an hoi _*> »* The prisoner replied , " I was not away m <> o , than ten minutes , and vou know I had m _^ _aHp-shoes on . " She said , " I don ' t know that yo ; , i had ; I did not see you put your boots on . " He _Vsaldy ' Ihave no doubt I shall be susneeted , because We have lived on such bad terms . Of _letfe the old ' un and I have been better friends , blUt tho sou is my bitterest enemy . He repeated , _*** lam sure some one told me the time when thc _affair happened , " and he several times asked for his cloak to put it on . —Cross-examined by the prisoner : The words which I heard you use on br jUw arrested , as near as I can recollect , were , " Oood God ! I hope I am not suspected , it s rather
! _•» serious offence . " Henry _Hubberstv , superintendent of county police , said : I was at Potash farm-house on the 1 st of December from twelve till four o ' clock in the afternoon . I went up into the prisoner ' s bedroom , and found there the box produced . It was shut , and on opening it , besides papers , I found a widow ' s cap , some old papers , a wig with whiskers attached , another wig with long hair , a woman s front and a travelling cap . When the prisoner put it on before Eliza Cnestney he asked nie to assist him , and I said , "No , put it on yourself . " He said nothing about its belonging to him . Ho also put on a cloak at the same time . —Cross-examined by the prisoner Shortly after I went to Potash on Friday , I found saiu
Emily Sandford sitting alone m a room , anu her , "Did you speak the truth yesterday ? " She burst into tears and said , " 2 _? o . " None of those who were with mc _aaid anything to her . I then drew up a written statement of what she said . It was not signed by her ; and I gave it to Mr . Cann . Arrangements were then made for examining her a second time at the Castle . ( Several irrelevant questions were also put to this witness , when the Judge said , " I have been exceedingly reluctant indeed to stop you , but nine-tenths of the questions you ask are irregular . " ) When witness got in there were several papers lying on the table ; no one but Mr . John Cann and Mies Sandford were there at the time . When the closet was opened the first thing found was a _> cash box ; Mr . Cann tried to open it with several keys . The papers were found next . The box was taken away when the parties left , but he could not sav if the papers were removed also .
Samuel S avory , labourer , of Wymondham , deposed , that he knew the prisoner twelve years ; recollected the nig ht of the murder ; saw the prisoner that day between Wymondham lodge , aud Mr . Coloman ' s going toward Wymondham , about five o ' clock . It was getting dark ..-William Bacon deposed—He was a shernYS Officer , and was employed to distrain on the prisoner , in October , ' 47 , at Potash , by the late Mr . Jermy . Remembered the prisoner saying on the 18 th of October , something about Mr . Jermy and Mr . Clarke . He said , _•« He would do for them on the first opportunity . " Cross-examined . —Had never mentioned the threat to Mr . Clarke , or to any one , till the morning after the occurrence of the 28 th ( the murder ) , when he spoke about it at Attloborough . The police came to him in consequenee of what he said . Robert Martin , bailiff at Norwich , was employed to distrain on the prisoner at Felmingham , on October 131847 .
, Richard Rued , lived at Thames-street , London . Knew John Lamer . Was introduced by him to Rush , in March , 1847 . Had had some papers be * longing to the former , and relating to the Stanfield Hall property , and was asked if he would lay them before some respectable solicitor . Accompanied the prisoner to Mr . Waugh , a solicitor , in Bedford-row . The papers were afterwards taken from him and put into the hands of Mr . Wilson , another solicitor . They were put in tho hands of Mr . Flower , a third solicitor , and Rush said , " They had got an honest lawyer to carry on tho cause . " [ Identified a letter to himself , from thc prisoner , dated 21 st of May , 1848 , stating that he had unexpectedly got a will of ior
tne itov . Mr . rreston , ana asKing an appointment , in order to consult as to what steps should _, be taken in facilitating proceedings for the recovery of the property . Identified another letter , dated 2 nd of October , which has been referred to in the trial , making an appointment for Reed , Lamer , and Jermy , at 2 , _Mylne-street , Islington , on the 3 rd of October , and stating they would be introduced to the lady who was to find the money . ( Emil y Sandford , it may be remembered , was the only woman present on that occasion , ) and that the prisoner would unfold his plan—the only plan—to get possession of the property . ] Went to Mylne-street about six o ' clock . Thomas Jcrmyand John Larner arrived after he came . Emily Sandford was there
when witness arrived , but was called out and left the room . There was an agreement on the table , and after it had been read Rush said , that that was his plan , Witness signed ib ( identified his signature ) . Rush said it was the only plan by which he would render the claimant any assistance whatever . Jermy hesitated about putting his mark to the paper , but on witness telling him it contained nothing unreasonable he signed it , as did Larner . Emily Sandford was called in to witness the signing of the p apers . Prisoner said she would find whatever means were wanting to make good their claims . Recalled her " this lady , " and she was present at the time it was said . Prisoner said he would require Jermy and Larner to go down to Felmingham
to see after the property , and that he would pay all the expenses of any suit that might take place as to that property . He said he held the leases of the property ; that either one or both expired on the 10 th of October ; and that he would put tho claimants in quiet possession . He said also that he expected to be served with an ejectment on the 12 th ot October . Jermy refused to go unless his cousin Larner went with him . As Rush refused to pay thc expenses of the latter witness did so . Witness went down from London on the 10 th . Went over to Potash Farm . Saw the prisoner at the Wymondham station , and accompanied him there . Was present when an agreement was made at Felmingham on the 12 th of October . Identified tho agreement which bound Jermy and Larner to give prisoner a lease of the farm , & c . Went over with prisoner on the 11 th to Stanfield Hall , and tendered the rent to Mi" . Jermy .. ( Identified a copy
ofthe agreement made by him at the time , and also a notice to Mr . Jermy that signed b y Thomas Jermy , stating that he had entered on possession of the Felmingham estates ) . Returned to London , and on the 14 th of October Rush called on him , and they went together to Mr . Clowes , tlie printer . Had a sovereign given him by the prisoner for some notices which the latter directed to be sent to Norwich . Cross-examined : Thought at tho time the prisoner ' s plan was a very good one . Never heard prisoner express any ill-will towards the late Mr . Jermy . John Larner was then called and sworn , but neither the council for the Crown nor the prisoner asked him any questions . Thomas Jermy _likcwisojcftthc witness-box without being required to give evidence on either side _. This witness was tho Jermy so often referred to during thc trial , and co-claimant with Lamer of tiie Jermy estate .
Mr . _FnEDunic Howe ro-ealled and re-sworn by tlie prisoner ' s request . —I am staying at the Bell Hotel , Norwich . I wrote letters to Mr . Cann about the trials , but never bad any conversation with him in reference to money . I havo received one guinea for my expenses coming down by railway . Have lived at Marlborough-street , Greenwich , for the last seven years . My uncle is chaplain to the Mercers ' Company , and my father is mathematical master at Clapham Grammar School . Was last employed at Mi ' . Simpson ' s , Bedford square . I was his clerk , and managed his business for him . Was never accused of receiving money there and not accounting for it ? I know something about an indictment relating to Eliza Kingate . I went before Mr . Baron
Alderson for a writ of habeas corpus on the behalf of a client whoso daughter was improperl y detained by Kingate , and in order to obtain it 1 had to make affidavit of the improper detention . Kingate was tried at the Old Bailey , but in consequence of the magistrate ' s clerk not producing the depositions in conformity with the subpoena she was acquitted . I know Charles Mathews , the actor . No charge was made against mc for forging orders on him . A friend of mine—a medical student ofthe College of Surgeons—had proposed to send a friend of his , a Mr . Morgan , with an order for himself and lady , I wrote an order , accordingly , for the stage-box at the Lyceum . Mr . Morgan , on presenting it , was detained by the officer on duty . I went before Mr . Mathews , accompanied by my friend , and told him
that it was done merely for a joke , and I proved by the evidence of my friends before Mr . Jardine , the magistrate at Bow-street , that it was only a joke . Ho was quite satisfied it was onl y done as a joke , and expressed his full conviction of it . I have never performed the part of counsel at judge and jury clubs in London ( after a short pause ) f have occasionally been in such places , and have put on a wig and gown . ( Laughter . ) Have you employed part of your time in teaching boxing ? Never . I never went by another name . In a joke , a friend of mine requested me to get some cards printed in another name and I did so . The prisoner put several questions tending to damage the character of this witness , but without effect . Mr . Canble Clarke , solicitor at Norwich , proved several documents in the writing of Mr . Jenny .
__ J . Carver , solicitor of Norfolk , proved thc duced tUre ° lat _° fathei" t 0 SeVCral dceds pro " Mr . W p . Nichols , Burgeon , deposed that he was m attendance on Mrs . Jermy , and that she was wT _n that she couId not appear . lhe Prisoner objected to the case proceeding without an . opportunity being given to him of coming at Mrs . Jermy ' s depositions , and also if it was not proved that Mrs . Jermy might not be able to attend hereafter . . * J !; he Jl , ? _-i the P _^ oncr says there- is most important evidence which can be , and is not " produced , we _may-beoWi _ged to postpone the triaL PnisoxKu : Let Mrs . Jcrm / s depositions be read-— -t is quite clear , by the act , that I am right .
Stating There Was A Quarter Of An H0ur B...
the matter should stand over till the mom g order that thc prisoner might con ult Wit hMSS licitor as to whether he would require Mrs . Jermy depositions to be read or not . T « , m » _» pra The leases between Rush and Mr . Jermy were then read . , / u „ a Mr . Austin ; an officer of the Bankruptcy Court in London , produced a fiat of bankruptcy , dated tne 8 th of May , 1848 , against the prisoner , on his own petition . Mr . Jermy , it appeared , was examined before the assignees . —Thc prisoner asked if the papers produced contained an affidavit of debt to the amount of £ 200 to his mother ; to which the witness replied that they did . .. . _,,
The following letters and documents were then put in : —A letter April 28 , 1848 , addressed by the p risoner to his son ; a letter dated September 27 , 1848 , signed " R . Reid _, " and addressed to the prisoner ; the agreement signed by Jermy and Larner in London , October 3 , 1848 ; another agreement dated October 10 ; an agreement dated November 21 , 1848 ; a letter addressed to the prisoner , signed " R . Reid , " and dated October 14 , 1848 ; a notice of protest by the prisoner , dated October 23 , 1848 , against thc legality ofa distress ; a similar document , dated October 26 , 1848 , and tho pamphlet written by the prisoner .
This was the case for the Crown . The prisoner said , I hone , my lord , you will not press mo to proceed with my defence to-ni ght?—The Judge : Do you think you cannot do so with justice to yourself?—The prisoner : I feel that I cannot do so at this late period of the day . —The Judge : Then I won't press it . Accordingly at twenty minutes to six o ' clock the Court adjourned .
< Tuesday , April 3 rd . rush ' s defence . Before the reporters were admitted this morning , the governor , Mr ; Pinson , called them together , and expressed » hop e that they would keep their penknives , or anything which mig ht be made available as a weapon , out of * he reach of Rush , stating that he did not ask this without reason . We understand that during the _^ nig ht tho prisoner became exceedingly violent and vowed revenge against the witnesses who had given evidence against him . It was , therefore , feared that he might lay violent hands upoii his own life , if the means were placed within his ipower , or attack any one within his reach . In consequence of the threats used , and the apparently ungovernable rage which had taken possession of tho prisoner _^ the spikes round tho dock were covered ,
some time before the meeting ofthe court , with long and stout pieces of wood . The conduct of Ru _*> h during the night was ferocious in the extreme , and more like that of a demon than a human being . — These revelations caused the greatest excitement in the court which was again crowded . Mr . Baron . Rolfe took his seat at a quarter to nine o'clock . The jury assembled shortly before . Before the prisoner was brought in , Archibald Macdonald , who was arrested last nig ht for calling out to the jury on leaving their omnibus , " Gentlemen , I hope you will be merciful to Mr , Rush , " was discharged by the judge . Rush shortiy after entered tho dock . Having carefully arranged his papers , he applied to be permitted to put a few questions to Howe .
Mi ' . Baron Rolfe said he did not know whether he ought to allow it , because the evidence was altogether irrelevant—whether innocent or guilty he did not believe it could affect him , however , it was for the jury to judge . Rush said he only wished to ask two or three questions . Howe was called and examined by Rush—Was in the habit of frequenting the Wheatsheaf , in London . Knew persons in the habit of going there ofthe name ofDurrant and Hythe , Hadspoken to the former about the murder . Never said he would go to Norwich and give evidence if his expenses were paid , in order that he mig ht have a lark with his friends in Norwich . Did not say he would give evidence on
either side for £ 20 . He had said he had been out on the " spree" with the prisoner , which was the case , and that he had said he " was a jolly good fellow . " The Piuso _. vERthen said—My lord and gentlemen of the jury , lam now about to submitto you my defence on one of the most awful and important charges I have ever heard brought against any one in this country , * and , in doing so , I earnestly beg of God Almighty to support me in undertaking a matter of such great responsibility , and I beg of him to prepare me to conduct my defence in a manner consistent with truth , and that he may afford me his guidance in defending myself against this most horrid charge which has been so unjustly brought
against me . I am quite aware of the inconvenience arising from admissions made during tho cross-examination of the principal witness , and also of some ofthe others ; but as she ( Emily Sandford ) has done such grievous wrong to herself in departing from the truth , I have fully made up my mind to abide by tho truth in time to come . I have made some inconvenient admissions , although I was _directed by my solicitor not to admit anything but the truth against me . I _itope and trust in God , gentlemen , that you will make use of such evidence against me as they may be necessary to attain the ends of justice . And although you may find that I had knowledge of something serious happening at Stanfield
Hall , I say at once that I am innocent ofthe horrid charge made against me . On the 18 th of January last he wrote a letter for the information ofhis solicitors , giving them information as to how he had come to the knowledge that something serious had taken place at Stanfield Hall on the night of the murder . By the way , he had every reason to think that , on account of the way that Jermy and himself had been living , for the last eighteen months , he should be suspected of the murder . [ Here the prisoner became confused , and paused for about a minute . ] My lord , he continuea , I must beg your indulgence for some time . I request you to be so kind as to allow me sometime . The evidence
is so materially altered , that I have not had time to correct it , ; I hope you will allow me a little time to look into these little things . [ The prisoner again paused for a considerable time . ] It is a most important situation ; it is an awful thing to stand in tho position I do . [ Another pause . ] I must beg your indulgence for a few minutes' time . I request you to be so kind as to use your authority and experience in allowing this . " This is what I thought to put before you , but I cannot go on . [ The prisoner seemed to be much affected . ] He then comp lained that tho magistrates would not permit any communication to take place between him and his solicitors , except those communications passed through the hands of the governor of tho Castle .
He had written to Sir George Grey , and according to the answer sent down he was only allowed to copy such papers as the solicitor might bring ; and the same privilege was allowed the solicitor with respect to him ( Rush ) . This restriction rendered the conduct of his case quite impracticable . In the first instance he drew out a case to be submitted to counsel . His solicitor was allowed to copy fortytwo sheets of depositions , with his private remarks , and he had to get copied thirty-four sheets more from the solicitor , which cost him £ 5 10 s . He also was desirous , as executor for his children , to give the instructions which were necessary on their behalf , and that without going to the expense of
having another person to write them . His children , he thought , would have quite enough to pay for , owing to the expenses of witnesses , subpeenas and solicitors , without the unceasing outlay incurred in consequence ofthe restraints which were imposed on him in the management of their affairs . He hoped the gentlemen oi the jury would bear in mind the hardship he had to endure , in being obliged to conduct his own case in opposition to throe gentlemen of great talent , assisted by two solicitors They would also bear in mind the way in which the examination was conducted before the magistrates . Tho reporters ofthe newspapers were excluded , and the public mind was prejudiced against him . It was
also both unlawful and unconstitutional to take the depositions without allowing him to be present . This was a cruel piece of injustice towards him ; and ho hoped the court would allow him all the latitude it could in the examination of the witnesses which he intended to call . He would now read a letter which had been written for a considerable time for the instruction of a lawyer in London , but which he could not forward , because ho did not wish to have it inspected by the governor of the Castle . The letter began as follows : — " A person who is known to me by the name of Joe told me on the 4 th of November that a lawyer would come to Potash , and speak to me on Friday niriit . ' at eirrht
o ' clock , relative to the estate of Stanfield-hall . The lawyer wished to hear from me what I thought about it . I told nihil would let him know , but to be sure not to come to thc house ; for if he did , I should be sure to be suspected , from the way Mr . Jermy and I had been living for the last ei ghteen months . I said to him , if you come to the garden in the front of tho house I will speak to you . I went out that night , and had a look about the plantation , to see if there were any poachers stirring about . I was in the orchard , and met the lawyer , who asked me what I thought of my undertakinsr ? I told him
i inougiit it a dangerous- one , and particularly if it were attempted with violence , and without Kr of help ; and even then I dd not think if 3 j ceed . He said that he and the , othV . ? ? h _« _iT _/ ferentl ; and had made up their mTnd _^ _fe ht dlf - that nk and see _^ Zd _^ t _^ _^ _g ? 'You will do _something + w A . 8 * 11 " - ** pent of , tho same as ! fid wK J' ° t Wl 11 _J " 5 _tf £ _S _*&>' ° « _™ _"H- V _Z iTaid _'Su o _^ _U , 'r _into _" fere _^ _*^* rentiv ' ' _ttI _^ *? kn ° _w-best , but I think _diffe-^ teW „ g' ' _?*» _Vif ° n ° ° arc Tf _thaJnZi I d > , oe sa > 8 he can manage them _, afl _^ Ull _^ f _. Tbe kept from getting _tlfe alarm all _wU be right / I said , 'Wait till tie moS
Stating There Was A Quarter Of An H0ur B...
when others will be there to assist them . ' He then said ' It is getting near the time that wo arc to meet , when vou may show us the way across the lands to the nalL' Joe said , ' There was no occasion for that He knew the way . He had been across ths fields since Micbaelmas . ' _-The Judge : What da y are you speaking of ? -Prisoner : Friday , my S . ( He continued reading the Jetter . ) He went down the loke on the way to the _^ _hali , and . 1 followed them for some distance . I went as far as the fence S _sTc what they were after , and if they made any attem pt . I waited two hours , and then got back to Potash when it was near eleven o ' clock . I never hSrd inow of them till Joe came back and aske ( i Sffwould allow them in at the farm . He said Ills ? _' - * " ... ¦ 1 _^ _n , * i _. nnrt Til _^ _nfir r \ 4 le outand plenty of _,.. _„ . j .-,-,,-teill ho there to assist them . ' He th
_fliYonceleri _^' s peop , hep from the men at Potash , the thing will be set-3 in half an hour ! ' I told tan . I _wouli no _« them : and it was one reason why I was then at Potash , that I might induce my sou no to join them and get into trouble , as so manyd . d _betore . He said , ' If you do not assist me , we have wholly made UP lr minds to do SO without help either _^ that evening or tho next morning . The majority thought it best to make the attempt in the morning , because they would have at least five times the quantity of assistance that they would have in the evening . But six or seven more , besides the lawyer , thought it better to come in the evening ; others thought there would be seventy or eighty to assist in taking possession in the morning , and not half the hubbub made in getting possession . ' All I said was , 'You know best ; were they not there , ' said I , ' on Friday ,
as you expected V ' YeB , ' said he , * but there wero people walking about on the lawn , and I was afraid to be' discovered . We had wholly made up our minds what to do , but we Were obliged to go back , after waiting three hours . ' I said , ' I think your coming in the night is not wise , and I hope you will find it out before it is too late . ' He said , ' If you come in the evening the lawyer will find how to proceed . ' I said , ' Iliad rather hear nothing of it . If you attempt to do anything to-ni ght , I shall hear how you get on in the morning / " He had thought a great deal about it during the night , and lie had a sort of presentiment that all would not be well ; but he aid not think that anything serious would take place . He left Potash the night of the murder ;
he did not leave till eight or nearly balf-past eight ; and he thought he would be ablo to prove that such was the fact . He went after poachers and he even had some thoughts of going to the Hall ; but he made up his mind not to go on . He walked round Mr . Jermy ' s plantation , and when he got to the fence he stayed there five minutes , and he thought he would go back again , as he felt very unwell . He heard the report of a gun or a pistol in a direction from the Hall ; he soon after heard two more , but not so loud . He was struck with amazement , as they always said if they took firearms it should only be for . the purpose of intimidation , but not to load them . He heard the bell at the Hall ring violently , and ho then got back to Potash as quick as
he could . He went through the garden into the house . He had seen the lawyer of the parties twice —once at Norwich , and once at Potash . ( The prisoner then entered upon an involved commentary on the evidence . ) Gentlemen , he continued , the happiness of my dear young children depends upon the issue of this trial . God knows I am innocent , I have nothing on my miiid ; and I defy the prosecution , notwithstanding all the skill of the learned counsel for the prosecution , to prove one atom of important evidence against me , notwithstanding all the evidence they have called . Gentlemen , before I have done , I shall show you that I am utterly innocent of this crime , and I trust God Almighty will g ive me strength to support me to the end of
this investigation . " As true as lie was standing in > that dock , he should show that his suspicions were well founded , and he had no fear of the result , and he hoped God Almighty would ive them themeans of seeing the case in its true light , and that he was innocent . He should give satisfactory reasons why he went out , and , in snort , he should show * them that he knew no more about the murders thaiL any of them . He did not at any time siioot much , but it so happened at the time of the murder he didi shoot a good deal . There was one important witness , an honest fellow , whom they dared not calL They had threatened him with the prison ; but ho should call him . The evidence with respect to the boots was as gross a piece of evidence _ as could be
produced : he " should show it in a different light . Then , with respect to the straw which was littered along thc soft soil , it had been there sincethe harvest , and was the track the pigs took tothe fields . Tho prisoner then contended that Mrs . Jermy ' s evidence was most important to him ; and he trusted to Almi ghty God , whose eye was upon him , to show how important that evidence was to him , The jury should hear Mrs , Jcrmy _' a deposition , and God Almighty knew it would be of the greatest use to him ; and prove that many of the other witnesses had committed perjury . [ The prisoner stopped for some minutes , as though deeply affected . ] He would have that evidence , in spite of what the learned judge , or the counsel for the
prosecution said to the contrary . [ He made this remark with much vehemence . ] Then addressing the judge , he said , " My lord , when shall I commence calling these witnesses ?"—The Judge : Of course you must conclude all you have to say before you call any witnesses . —The Prisoner : I did not know that , my lord . I will go on . He hoped tlie jury had paid great attention to his depositions before the coroner , and adverted to Watson ' s description ofthe murderer , given before the magistrates , and declared his impression to be , that it was all forced from the poor fellow . He believed Watson to bean honest man , and that ho was compelled , from certain reasons , to contradict his original evidence , and to state that which he did not believe to be
truth . ( Sensation . ) He hoped the jury had . made themselves acquainted with that hall in which the murder was committed ; and if they had and would compare the depositions ofthe witnesses with their evidence before the court , they would at once see that tiiat evidence was not founded in truth , Watson says , the man was five or six feet from the pantry-door when he saw him . He was walking fast in tlie direction of the pantry door , lie called upon them to bear in mind , if Watson went out directly he heard thc report , and if any time intervened between the first and second shots , some one or other of Watson ' s statements must be untrue . He thought they would think that Watson was not in the hall at all when the transaction took place , and that this
was the reason why the party who could have given the best evidence , and would have established his innocence , was kept back . He believed that what was described as the banging to of that hall door , and which occasioned so much noise , was nothing inore or less than thc second report . Watson , said , the man passed him quickly : that statement as compared with his statement before the magistrates , was a barefaced perjury ; he brings in hero Read ' s edition of the affair , and says thc man had on a dark cloak with a capo to it . Tlie fact was , and there was no disguising it , that these false statements had been put into his mind , by persons who wished to do him ( Rush ) an injury . * Watson says , " I did not speak to the man , but 1 believe he must
have seen me . " Must have seen him , indeed ! What an expression to use ! Howceukl the man , if Watson ' s previous statement was true , have failed to see him ? Is it not a falsehood from beginning to end ? To be sure it is , gentlemen : it is popped in accidentally , thc witness having been tampered with ; aud all the evidence goes for nothing . He then adverted to Blanchtlower ' s evidence , which was of the most important character to him . And , said the prisoner , I tell his lordship that if he has read that evidence , he ought to have insisted upon her being called . I don't care what his lordship says about the matter , or what the counsel for the prosecution say about it , I say , if his lordship has paid any attention to the evidence at all , he ought to have had it
m court . It is a monstrous injustice to me that it was not produced . Then as to the evidence of Margaret Read , all the evidence she had given was false—utterly , wholly false . [ The prisoner made this remark with extraordinary vehemence . ] The prisoner continued , at great length , to remark on the _evidonao of Watson and Read , repeating his belief that Reid did not see any man in the _passage , and that no man passed Watson . It was impossible , he said , that Read , could have been there . If she had been , Blanchflower must havo seen her , -13 they would find when her evidence was brought before them . Now , with regard to the cloak ; it w " onl y justice that he should have that cloak put on him-—The Judge : I will have that done if you wi sh it , and you are warranted in asking it to be done . — The prisoner continued : What would the jury think , after her seeing me with the cloak on , ot her
evidence about the cloak not reaching the knew of the man whom she says she saw in the hall I ] garments I had on that night I have had on frequently . Emil y Sandford knew this very well ; ana I would take my oath , if I was dyimr , that she tow Cann or some one else how I used to ~ go out _ilresseu of nights . I will prove that she has told some or * about it ; and they then brought forward this evidence against me . They put the evidence into . tao mouths of witnesses , and then , in a most hon ™ - manner make it appear that it was their own _^ luntnry testimony . It is a most providenti al t "" s that the dress I had on that night has not , _* ' - ' their searching , been found . I have that , ° . i . _- ' safe keeping , and I have g iven in structions _; i morning to have that dress produced , aml i _^ , put it on . I have no animosity against Emily _**•" ford , and her evidence would have been very " »\ rent had sho been left to herself , and not intei * _- ' _^ with so imnronerlv . After alludinff to ids q « . * _"
with the Jennys , he again adverted to tho ev « J » of Read , re-asserting its falsehood , and aftn » » » that all he wanted was to have tlie facte ; aw - truth , which should come out b efore he had dOiic _^ God gave him health and strength . _^ ot c gc statement that . Miss Jermy ran down tic pa- " _^ ho asked why was not Miss Jermy «»¦ ea _j _^ n would have spoken tlie truth , and would l _^ ea ne i a most important witness for mo . They na Jia ( _- a poor boy , not so old as Miss Jermy ; »» u
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 7, 1849, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_07041849/page/6/
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