Hill.—Certainly not.
Mr. Thomas here observed, that the cut on the forehead had all the appearance of having been recently inflicted. The blood flowed from it in streams.
The prisoner May here said, Did not that blood proceed from the mouth, and was it not caused by the teeth having been drawn out?
The witness, Hill, replied, that it certainly might be so.
May.—Oh it might, might it!
Mr. Minshull asked the witness if he perceived any blood flow from the wound on the forehead.
Hill replied in the affirmative, but said, that the greater flow of blood was from the mouth. It streamed from thence on the breast. He then resumed his statement, and said, that on perceiving the state in which the body appeared, he observed to the prisoners, that he did not like the appearance of the subject. It was too fresh. The prisoners did not appear to pay any attention to this, and May, pointing to the body, said, Is it not a fresh one? He, (witness,) replied, yes; and then the prisoners asked him for the money.
Mr. Minshull.—Do you mean the price which they were to receive for the body?
Hill.—Yes; but I wished to see Mr. Partridge before I should pay them, and I told the prisoners to come outside, as I could not pay them there. The witness then went on to say, that he went to Mr. Partridge, who on seeing the body, said he did not like to have anything to do with it; that it was too fresh, and had a very suspicious appearance; and he told witness to tell the prisoners to wait until change of a note was procured, which was done for the purpose of keeping them where they were until the police should arrive.
Mr. Minshull asked what sum had been agreed upon for the purchase of the body?