Report of B. Burton on John Barnes alias Smith, convicted (with 4 others) at the...

Report of B. Burton on John Barnes alias Smith, convicted (with 4 others) at the Worcestershire Summer Assizes in 1786, for burglary. The prisoner was originally reprieved and sentenced to transportation for life to Africa or elsewhere. The report also touches on the case of Gould (one of the 4 others involved in the robbery) reprieved by the intercession of the High Sheriff after Gould's own protestation of his innocence and the dying declarations of the other 3; the prisoner claiming his own innocence insistent on the guilt of Gould. Enquiries about Gould's fate were unknown to Burton, but he thought the falsehood of Barnes was evident. Initial sentence: death (all five were sentenced to death and only Barnes recommended to mercy; the judge intending the recommend transportation for life to Africa or elsewhere). Recommendation: transportation for life as neither the nature of his crime nor his character or his behaviour during imprisonment should lead to 'any further alleviation of his punishment'.

Folios 411-413.