The Press.
London, England, 1857-07-11 00:00:00

THE P lEt. ES S, JULY 11, 1857.

went to her bed late that night with her sister, and
there was not a tittle of evidence that the house was
disturbed or approached in the course of the night.
She could have had no motive to destroy L'Angelier
while be had such letters in his possession, and
every circumstance in the case spoke strongly against
the probability of her committing a foul and delibe-
rate murder. After referring to the probability of
L'Angelier's death being the result of suicide or
arising from other causes, he called on the jury not
rashly to tear aside the veil of mystery in which
Providence had wrapped this man, and in an
eloquent and affecting peroration prayed them to
bring their hearts as well as their minds into judg-
ment in this case.

The LORD JvsTrcx•Cr.Exx commenced his charge
to the jury. He said poisoning by arsenic was almost
always a secret crime, and was generally to be proved
by circumstantial evidence ; that evidence, however,
must be complete, distinct, and satisfactory, and
must exclude the possibility of innocence or of un-
explained mystery, and they must not supply any
defect in the prosecutor's case by suspicion or pre-
sumption against the accused. They must be satis-
fied that the accused had the purpose and the oppor-
tunity ; they must be satisfied the parties met that
night. They might have a strong suspicion they
did so, or the probabilities of the case might favour
that view; but unless they could by just, satisfac-
factory, and inevitable inference conclude that they
did meet, a link remained wanting in the case, and
the catastrophe and its alleged cause were not found
together. The numerous theories for the defence
might not be of much value, but their failure could
in no way strengthen the case for the prosecution,
which must be of itself complete and conclusive, and
carry conviction to their minds. His lordship had
read over nearly a half of the parole evidence, when
the court adjourned at six o'clock till Thursday.

THE VERDICT.

The interest manifested daring the whole of the
eight days this extraordinary trial had lasted was
greater than ever upon the last morning. Crowds of
people outside the court who had not been success•
ful in obtaining admission were trying every means
in their power to gain an entrance into the court,
and the police had the greatest difficulty in keeping a
space clear for those who were personally engaged
in the trial.

As early as seven o'clock Parliament-square was
densely crowded, and as the hour of opening the
court approached the crowd increased to such an
extent that it was difficult to reach the top of the
High-street.
The court opened at ten o'clock, but for some time
previous that portion not appropriated to the public
presented an extraordinary appearance. The jury
entered the court shortly before ten o'clock, and
upon their lordships' arrival the prisoner was placed
in the dock.

Her appearance was much the same as it was at
the commencement of the dial. There was, how-
ever, a slight shade of sadness in her expression, but
no trace of that anxiety and deep mental suffering to
be expected in a woman charged with such a dread-
ful crime, and with her life in such imminent danger.
During the continuance of the summing up, notwith-
standing the strong remarks of the Lord Advocate
with reference to the damaging points in the evidence
against the prisoner, she presented that coolness and
indifference she has all along exhibited in a most re-
markable and extraordinary manner.
The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK, in a very audible voice,
resumed his summing up, and, having called to the
recollection of the jury the point at which the court
adjourned last, proceeded to read and comment upon
the whole of the evidence adduced both on the psrt
of the Crown and for the defence. He, in conclusion,
earnestly impressed on the jury the importance of
their fully considering all they had heard, and said
that the case now only awaited their verdict. Unless
they thought that clear conviction was brought to
their minds it would be their duty to acquit her.
They were not to proceed upon suspicion, or even
strong suspicion, but there must be strong conviction
in their minds; and if there was any reasonable
doubt it was their duty to give the prisoner the benefit
of that doubt ; but if they came to that clear conclu-
sion of her guilt they were not to allow any sugges-
tion made for the defence to deter them from doing
their duty. The learned judge having reminded the
jury of the oath they had taken, concluded by beseech-
ing an All-wise and All-seeing Providence to direct
them to a right verdict.
The jury then retired to their room.
The appearance of the court at this particular
moment it is impossible to describe, many of the
spectators being moved to tears by the impressive
and earnest address of the learned judge.
In Scotland, when a jury have agreed upon their
verdict a small bell is rung. Upon this signal being
given the most breathless silence prevailed, and in a
short time afterwards the jury reappeared in court,
when the Clerk of the Court, addressing the jury,
said—" Gentlemen, have you agreed to your ver•
diet?"

[675

The Foreman, in a firm tone : We have.
The Clerk of the Court : How say you, gentlemen;
do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty ?
The Foreman : We find the prisoner " Not guilty"
on the first count, and " Notiproven " on the second
and third.

A loud and long-continued burst of applause
followed the announcement of the verdict, but was
suppressed.
During the awful moments between the return of
the jury into court and the giving of their verdict the
prisoner betrayed not the least emotion, but on its
delivery she gave a heavy sigh, which appeared to
give her much relief.

- The excitement produced outside the court when
the verdict became known was immense. Miss
Smith was at once released from custody.