Old Bailey Proceedings:
Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials
28th February 1681
MAjor
Theophilus
Oglethorp
proceedingsdefend
was Indicted, for the
Murther of Captain
John
Richardson
proceedingsvictim
, a Gentleman belonging to his Majesties Guards
; the manner of which, according to the Evidence was, that they two on the 10th. of January
last, being at the Black Posts, near Charing-Cross, the Prisoner began a Health To the confusion of alldouble Hearts, who did not declare themselves as they meant, which the Deceased interpreting to be meant of him, flew into a violent Passion, and gave very gross language, which the Major not being longer able to endure, drew, as likewise the Captain, but not being suffered to hurt each other, they went from thence to the Cross Keys Tavern, where the heat continued so that the Deceased struck the Prisoner with his Cane, whereupon they left the House, and within three hours after met by Clarendine house
, where they drew upon each other, and made several Passes: And the Captain, 'ere any could come up to part them, was run into the Belly and out at the Back: and had receiv'd another Wound in his Back, of which the next Morning he Dyed: But the Evidence being no wayes able to prove a former Grudge or prepense Malice, the Jury found him
Guilty of Manslaughter
.