This unfortunate Culprit was committed on the 21st of July, 1829 and was to have been tried at the Summer Assize, but owing to the illness of a material witness the trial was postponed till the Lent Assizes. -
He was a farmer's labourer and it appeared that the prosecutor and two other children having entered the cow-house in which the prisoner was, he shut the door, and after a little time began to take liberties with her person. From her statement, corroborated by that of her mother, and that of a surgeon who examined her, there was no doubt that the prisoner had completed the capital offence.
There is reason to suppose, from the prisoner's conduct during the trial, that he expected to be convicted only on the minor charge, or that he was unconcerned as to the result. During the examination of the witnesses he smiled several times, and on his removal below with the other prisoners, manifested that indifference which showed he was not aware of his awful amenableness
Since his conviction he has been unremittingly attended by the Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Drake, whose mild sympathetic, and spiritual advice, there is reason to believe, has been attended with great benefit, as the conduct of the unfortunate man has subsequently been such as becomes his awful situation.
The prisoner was a single man, a native of Shutlanger, and has left six brothers and sisters to bewail his unfortunate career. He was eldest but one.
This morning, at ten o'clock, the prisoner was conducted to the chapel, and a most impressive and pathetic discourse was delivered by the Chaplain.
The prisoner selected several Hymns to be sung on the melancholy occasion.
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SAVE ME, O LORD
O'ERWHELM'D with sharp afflictions.
To thee my God I cry;
Bow'd down with strong convictions,
Deep in the dust I lie,
Confessing thou art holy,
And I a sinner vile;
Upon me, poor and lowly,
Design, Lord a gracious smile.
The storms have thick'ned round me;
Thy hand hath press'd me sore,
In misery's fetters bound me,
Lord, I can bear no more
My sorrows are enlarged,
Wave follows upon wave,
With burdens over charged,
I sink:- Oh save me, save
Jesus hold my
Such pity mov'd his breast,
Nor suffered me to languish
But spake my soul to rest.
He pardon'd my transgressions
Bade all my sorrows cease,
And in his rich compassions,
Restor'd my heart to peace.
At the place of execution he behaved with propriety and seemed impressed with his awful situation. After [a] short time spent in adjusting the fatal apparatus during the time the Chaplain was reading the bur[ial] service, the drop fell, and after a short struggling , [missing] culprit was hurried into that world from when[ce] [no] traveler returns.
The body after having the usual time, was cut down and delivered to his friends, to be conveyed to Shutlanger, where it will remain till Sunday, and then to be interred at Stoke Bruerne, at five o'clock in the evening.
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