The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

  John Filewood alias Violet , of  St. Gabriel Fenchurch , was indicted for Robbing on the Highway, and taking a Portmanteau Trunk with Goods in it to a considerable value, on the 12th of February last, the Goods of   Andrew Robinson and   Francis Cabet ; it appear'd that Mr. Cabet came to Town that Evening and was Set down at New Round Court, in the Stroud , where he hired a Porter to carry his Portmanteau to his Lodgings in  Fenchurch-street , where he was met by the Prisoner, who pretended to be the Person that employ'd him to carry the Portmanteau , and seem'd to be very angry for his staying so long, calling him Old Rogue and Old Rascal for making him wait; got the Portmanteau from him, cutting his Hand with a Knife, whereupon he cry'd out stop. Thief, that   James Harris coming by at that time and hearing the Cry secured the Prisoner with the Goods. The Prisoner in the Defence said that James Horris came to him in Newgate

Several times, and told him that his Master prest him to swear against him, and own'd to him that he kept a Whore who was now in Clerkenwell Bridewell, and borrowed a Crown of him to go to see her, he further said that if the Prisoner would give him 20 l. he would not appear against him although his Master offer'd him 25 l. and threatned to turn him away unless he did; to confirm this the Prisoner produced, Paper wrote by the said Harris , which he own'd to be his Hand, wherein was contained what he would swear for him at his Tryal, provided he would give him the said 20 l. But the Court and Jury looking upon it as tampering with the Evidence for the King in order to compound the Felony, and the Fact being plain, and the Prisoner having a bad Character. the Jury considering the whole matter brought him in Guilty . Death