Witness: No; what he said was that he was for the Crown; but what he desired above all things was to know the truth, and that he asked me to tell him without fear, favour, or affection.
Mr. Gardner, examined by the Attorney-General: I am a member of the firm of Gardner and Co., of Rugeley. I acted in this matter for the firm of Cookson and Co., the solicitors of Mr. Stevens, the father-in-law of Cook. I attended the inquest on the body of Cook, and occasionally put questions to the witnesses. Mr. Ward, an attorney, was the coroner. He put questions to the witnesses, and his clerk took down the answers. The inquest lasted five days, and several times upon each day I expostulated with the coroner on account of his omitting to put questions.
Mr. Serjeant Shee submitted that what was said by the coroner was no evidence against the prisoner.
The Attorney-General: It is not intended as evidence against the prisoner, but to rebut the effect of evidence that you have put in. I will ask—had you occasion to expostulate with the coroner as to the omission of his clerk to take down the answers of witnesses?
Mr. Serjeant Shee: I object to the question being put in that form.
The Attorney-General: Did you observe that the clerk omitted to take down the answers of Elizabeth Mills?—Not in reference to that particular case.
Mr. Baron Alderson: Her account of the matter is that the questions were not put.
The Attorney-General: Did Dr. Taylor object that questions were not put which ought to have been put?—I do not recollect it.
Lord Campbell: It is not suggested, as I understand, that the coroner refused to correct any mistakes that were made.
The Attorney-General: I am prepared to show that there was such misconduct on the part of the coroner as led to expostulation.