Part 38 (1/2)

VERNON--How long did you live with sir John?

MRS. STAFFORD--Three months, Sir.

GOODERE--Call Mr. Robert c.o.c.k.

THE RECORDER--What do you call him to prove?

GOODERE--My lord, in order to prove sir John Dineley a lunatic.

Mr. c.o.c.k, will you give an account to my lord and the jury what you know of the lunacy of sir John Dineley?

_Robert c.o.c.k, sworn._

c.o.c.k--My lord, I have known Mr. Dineley at Charlton for some years; I have been several times in his company; I have seen him do several acts of lunacy, as a madman.

VERNON--Where do you live?

c.o.c.k--I live in c.u.mberland, when I am at home.

VERNON--Are you of any business?

c.o.c.k--I am an officer belonging to his majesty.

VERNON--What kind of officer?

c.o.c.k--A salt officer.

GOODERE--I will not give your lords.h.i.+p and the jury much more trouble. I am entirely innocent; they have not proved that I was present at the death of sir John Dineley.

THE RECORDER--Don't deceive yourself; though they have not proved you was actually in the cabin, when sir John was murdered, yet they have given evidence of that, which (if the jury give credit to) will amount to presence in the eye of the law.

GOODERE--I shall now call some witnesses to my character, and likewise to shew how improbable it is that I should be guilty of the murder of my brother.

Call Mr. Pritchard.

_Mr. Pritchard_ had known Goodere many years; he always bore the character of a good husband, a good neighbour, and a kind friend.

_The Rev. Mr. Watkins_, three months or half a year before Sir John's death, had told Goodere that Sir John had told him that he had made his will and cut his brother off from everything, and had given his estate to the Footes. The witness had found Sir John a good neighbour, and a kind friend; he was a man of strong pa.s.sions, and if any one affronted him, he would let the party know that he did resent it. His tenants, and those the witness had conversed with, said that he was one of the best of landlords.

VERNON--I don't ask you, Sir, concerning his moral character; but whether he was in his senses or not?

WATKINS--In his senses! I saw him last Christmas, he was making up his accounts with several of his tenants; he was then in very good understanding. I take him to have been a man that always had his senses in a regular exercise.

VERNON--What have you heard the prisoner Mr. Goodere say in relation to Sir John's making his will?

WATKINS--I believe he told me that sir John had not the power to make a will; I told him it was my opinion, if they would be reconciled together, sir John's will would not stand.