The Trial and Conviction of John Church: The Preacher of the Surrey Tabernacle, Borough Road, at the Surrey Assizes, at Croydon, on Saturday, the 16th of August, 1817, for an Assault With Intent to Commit an Unnatural Crime. — John Shaqi
The Trial and Conviction of John Church: The Preacher of the Surrey Tabernacle, Borough Road, at the Surrey Assizes, at Croydon, on Saturday, the 16th of August, 1817, for an Assault With Intent to Commit an Unnatural Crime.Anonymous
Religion
The Trial and Conviction of John Church: The Preacher of the Surrey Tabernacle, Borough Road, at the Surrey Assizes, at Croydon, on Saturday, the 16th of August, 1817, for an Assault With Intent to Commit an Unnatural Crime.
Anonymous
Church, J. (John), approximately 1780-approximately 1825 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Sodomy) -- England
Amongst other things which Mr. Church urged by way of explanation, in
these letters, was a contradiction of some of the particulars stated the
prosecutor. He said, that there were some matters in the statement of
the boy which he was able to contradict. This declaration of Mr. Church
having come to the knowledge of Mr. Patrick, he was induced by the
application which was made to him, on the part of some of Mr. Church’s
congregation, to make some inquiry of Mr. Church upon the subject. He
accordingly took occasion to have an interview with the defendant, for
the purpose of enabling himself, if he could, to explain his conduct to
the satisfaction of the persons who are in the habit of attending his
chapel. At that interview, he contradicted some of the particularities
stated by the boy, but which are some of the most disgusting parts of the
narrative. He, however, admitted, most distinctly, that he had gone into
the lad’s room.
Now, when you shall have had it proved in evidence, that part of the
conduct ascribed to him was admitted by the defendant, I should like to
know if he really did go into that bed-room, for what possible purpose
could he go there in the middle of the night? It will appear, still
further, that Church was the only male person who slept in the house; for
there was no other individual of the male sex to take up his abode there
that night.
The question, then, will be, whether, upon the evidence I shall produce,
you can have any reasonable doubt of the defendant’s intention to commit
the offence imputed to him by this indictment? If you have no doubt of
the truth of the boy’s story—if you have no doubt that it was the
defendant’s intention to commit the atrocious crime charged upon him by
this prosecution, then, however painful your duty may be, you must not be
deterred by the enormity and apparent impossibility of such a crime
existing in society, from the fair and honest discharge of it. There are
two questions for you to determine:—_First_, whether the defendant was
the person who entered the prosecutor’s room?—and, _Secondly_, if he did,
whether the atrocious intention, alleged in the indictment can clearly be
inferred from his conduct on that occasion? But, gentlemen, if you have
any reasonable doubt upon either of these questions, I should not, as
Counsel for the prosecution, desire you to pronounce a verdict of guilty.
But, whatever conclusion you may draw from his statement, submitted to
your consideration, I trust you will take care that your indignation
against the offence itself shall not carry you to the conclusion of
guilt, unless the evidence I shall lay before you warrants the conviction
of the defendant.
Adam Foreman, _the first witness was then called and examined by_ Mr.
BOLLAND.
How old are you?—I shall be twenty the first day of December next.
I believe you are an apprentice to Mr. Patrick, the potter, of
Vauxhall?—Yes.
How long have you been with him?—About five years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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