DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70266#0099
HAZVGING I# SPORT.
81
vention of another patrole, he must have been in the most
imminent danger. He was secured, and it then appeared
that he had consented voluntarily to be hanged, under the
following circumstances :—It seems that there was another
man in his company, and it turned out that the two together
had been gambling, first for their money, and at length for
their clothes; but the defendant having lost both money and
clothes, then staked his life, and agreed, that, if he should
lose that, his opponent should have the pleasure of hanging
him. He lost, and accordingly submitted to be hanged,
and his adversary having tied him up to a lamp-post, left him
to his fate ; but the noose not having been fixed in a work-
manlike manner, it gave way, and the defendant was pre-
cipitated to the earth, and by the intervention of the pro-
secutor, and the other officer, saved from an untimely death.
For this act of humanity the officer was assaulted as above-
mentioned.
The case being proved by other witnesses, the defendant
was called upon for his defence.
He was a tall well-looking young man, a labourer, and
he acknowledged the material parts of the facts alleged
against him by Croker, the prosecutor, and said, that he
had been gambling on the night mentioned in the indict-
mentj and lost his money and clothes, and then staked his
life, which he also considered forfeited, and believed that he
was in honour bound to be hanged, and therefore consent-
ed. But he strongly denied that any assault was commit-
ted on the witness Croker, until he (Croker) had first as-
saulted him.
The court and jury expressed the utmost astonishment at
this singular case, and, after a few words from the chairman,
he was found Guilty.
As soon as the defendant was found guilty, his wife came
into court and implored mercy for him, assuring their Wor-
ships that she would be answerable for it that he should
VOL.V. M
81
vention of another patrole, he must have been in the most
imminent danger. He was secured, and it then appeared
that he had consented voluntarily to be hanged, under the
following circumstances :—It seems that there was another
man in his company, and it turned out that the two together
had been gambling, first for their money, and at length for
their clothes; but the defendant having lost both money and
clothes, then staked his life, and agreed, that, if he should
lose that, his opponent should have the pleasure of hanging
him. He lost, and accordingly submitted to be hanged,
and his adversary having tied him up to a lamp-post, left him
to his fate ; but the noose not having been fixed in a work-
manlike manner, it gave way, and the defendant was pre-
cipitated to the earth, and by the intervention of the pro-
secutor, and the other officer, saved from an untimely death.
For this act of humanity the officer was assaulted as above-
mentioned.
The case being proved by other witnesses, the defendant
was called upon for his defence.
He was a tall well-looking young man, a labourer, and
he acknowledged the material parts of the facts alleged
against him by Croker, the prosecutor, and said, that he
had been gambling on the night mentioned in the indict-
mentj and lost his money and clothes, and then staked his
life, which he also considered forfeited, and believed that he
was in honour bound to be hanged, and therefore consent-
ed. But he strongly denied that any assault was commit-
ted on the witness Croker, until he (Croker) had first as-
saulted him.
The court and jury expressed the utmost astonishment at
this singular case, and, after a few words from the chairman,
he was found Guilty.
As soon as the defendant was found guilty, his wife came
into court and implored mercy for him, assuring their Wor-
ships that she would be answerable for it that he should
VOL.V. M