Report of William Henry Ashhurst on Daniel Halsey and John Sharples/John Sharpless...

Report of William Henry Ashhurst on Daniel Halsey and John Sharples/John Sharpless convicted at the Bedfordshire Summer Assizes in 1794 at Bedford, Halsey for shooting and Sharples for aiding and assisting in a felony by shouting 'shoot, shoot' during a felony and so being 'a constructive presence', on 23 June 1794. Daniel Halsey shot Henry Rose (the lessee of a close being mowed) in the leg with a pistol. Sharples was shouting at Halsey and threatening him if he did not commit the act. There is a note that mentions Mr Whitbread (a petitioner [petition wanting]) that Ashhurst has informed him 'that care will be taken not to remove the man when it would be dangerous to do it'. Evidences supplied by Henry Rose, William Hooker, hay-maker; John Ingfield, William Buckmaster, blacksmith; Thomas Goodyer, Elizabeth Hooker, James Cheshire, Geary Hunter, Constable, William Buckmaster, blacksmith, James Biggs and Samuel Hickson, Mr Jones, Mrs Holland, Thomas Hickson, Jos. Wilkinson, Daniel Dell and Martha Messenger. Grounds for clemency: Sharples is ill and the 'execution of his sentence may be delayed'. Halsey was considered 'quite a boy', and acting under Sharples' duress. Initial sentence: not given. Recommendation: Sharples: no mercy. Halsey: 'a lighter punishment than the other'. Folios 4-9. See also HO 47/18/60, folios 276-277.