Francis Edwards proceedingsdefend , of the Parish of St. Giles in the Fields , was indicted for the Murder of Michael Dormer proceedingsvictim on the 14th of January last, by giving him a mortal Wound with a Rapier on the right Side of his Body near the Pap, of the breadth of half an Inch, and the depth of 7 Inches, of which he instantly dy'd . There were 3 Witnesses at work in a Field by, who swore they saw the Prisoner and the deceas'd push at each other a pretty while, and then part, and afterwards go to it again, when the deceas'd reel'd backwards, and fell against some Pales, and the Prisoner took him in his Arms and Kiss'd him. Then they went up to the Prisoner, who readily surrender'd himself, and ask'd the deceas'd if he had not us'd him fairly, who said yes, and forgave him. The Prisoner call'd some Witnesses in his Defence, who swore that they being both Drummers , the deceas'd demanded a share of some Money that was given among the Prisoner and others, tho' he was not with them; and because they refus'd it, he swore he'd have the Blood of some of them. The Prisoner also declar'd, that the deceas'd and he had been together from 11 a Clock to about 3 that Day; and the deceas'd being very quarrelsome about what he call'd being defrauded of his Money, he left him, and went homewards along Tyburn Road , where the deceas'd came up to him and drew his Sword, swearing he would stab him to the Heart if he did not draw; and that thereupon he did draw in his own Defence, and the deceas'd received the Wound. There were several who swore the deceas'd was a very quarrelsome Fellow, and had wounded several People; and that the Prisoner was one of a quite contrary Character, whereupon he was found Guilty of Manslaughter .

[Branding. See summary.]