The Express.
London, England, 1863-03-23 00:00:00

THZ MURDER •T CHATHAM.

The ease of the lad Robert Alexander Burton,
who was convicted at Maidstone, on Wednesday, of mar-
der under very peculiar circumstances, appears to create a
I groat deal of public interest, but no step have yet been
taken by any parties to procure any commutation of the
sactenoe. The miserable culprit still exhibits the nine
recklessness and hardihood of demeanour that have charac-
terised him ever sines the commission of the crime. It bee
been already stated that he actually laughed in the fees
of the learned judge, who was himself deeply effected,
when he passed judgment of death upon him, and
after he had been taken back to the gaol, be very
coolly asked to be allowed to have an additional allow-
ance of food and also some beer, which he said he bed
understood was always given to prisoners under sentence
of death from the period of their conviction to the sentinel
being carried out. He added that he believed that they were
also entitled to have tobacco, and he said if that was the
cue, he should like to have some. The culprit was in-
' formed that he was quite wrong in hi supposition, and
that he would only receive the usual allowance, unless the
medical officer thought fit to order any addition to it. The
prisoner was very angry when this was told him, and he was
not pacified until - he was informed that his
application should be laid before the visiting
justices of the prison, who had the power to grant
his request if they thought proper to do so. The culprit
does not appear to entertain the slightest fear of death, bet
on the contrary he actually seems to exult in the prospect
that awaits him. He stated to Mr. Everest, the superin-
tendent of police by whom be was taken into custody, that
it was of no use talking to him about what he had done, and
the consequences that would result to him. He mid he
knew all about it, and had made up his mind, and if the
officer came to see him executed he would find him just the
same at the last moment, and he might rely that
he should not flinch. The prisoner, who was born
at Chobbam and who had heed there all his life,
was of Douse well known not only to most of the inhabi-
biota but also to the police, and there never seems to have
been the slightest idea entertained by any one that his
mind was deranged. He was, however, always considered
to be a very violent bad-tempered lad, and he has on several
miesaions committed serious wealth upon persons who have
given him offence. He was formerly employed as a sort of
waiter or potman at different public-houses, but he seemed
latterly not to have been able to procure any regular em.
ployment. He was for a short time in the sande* of Ifs.
Clark, but be detected him in pilfering, and he was taken
' before the magistrates at Rochester and summarily con-
victed end sentenced to two months' imprisonment. He
I openly avowed his intention to be revenged upon
his master for causing him to be punished ; and if
he had not fortucately removed from the neighbour-
hood during the period the prisoner was in confinement,
there appears to be ground for supposing that the
•prisoner would have selected him for has victim ; iodised
he has repeatedly made use of expressions to that effect,
not only to Superintendent Everest, but also to other per-
sons. The usual custom with regard to the carrying out of
capital sentences in the county of Kent is that they shall
take place on the third market day after the conviction, so
that in the ordinary course the execution of the prisoner
will take place on Thursday, the 9th of April, at 12 o'clock.
He has been visited by his sister and one or two other rela-
tives since he has been in confinement ; but he never ex-
hibits the least appearance of feeling. and in the letters be
has written to his relatives the only complaint he appoint
to make is that he is not allowed to have beer and tobacco
while he is in prison.