The Express.
London, England, 1856-05-28 00:00:00

TRIAL OF WILLIAM PALMER.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.

CONCLUSION OF THR TRIAL.
[The following appeared, Slither with the report of the
proesediap in the tartlet part of the day, in meetly the
whole of our yesterday's impression ]
Oa the court remeembliu, the evidence for the defines,
se to facts, was read over. It was that which was given on
Saturday monist, and reported at length in the Re-
press of Monday. The witnesses were Henry Matthews,
an inspector of polies at Raton-mum, who deportee to
some time-table ruts connected with the pr amer's MOW-
nuts on the 19th November, from yid* It might be in-
ferred that the prisoner went from London is Rangeley ou
that day by the five o'clock express train; Mr. Joseph
Fester, • former at Sibbeitoft, Northamptonshire, who
had known the deceased many years, and c insidered
him a man of delicate constitution, testimony this
which his lordship regarded as very slender ea the
point • John Sargent, who saw the dumbed at
the Liverpool run, the week before the Shrewsbury
rues, when he wes 'sliming much from an alosrated
throat, was rhort of money, and asked Palmer to supply
him with a " black wash ;" • state of health hardly °de-
ciding with the state of the prisoner's health as represented
by the ease f r the prosecation ; and Mr. George Myatt,
a saddler, at Rageley. The latter 'poke of the brandy and
water said to hove bees dosed at Shrewsbury, and declared
that the tweedy wen brought in in a decanter ; that he and
the prisoner and tee deceased all partook of the same liquor,
and that nothing was put into it; that on their way thence
to Rugeley, the prisoner and the deteesod were both sick,
and that the prisoner " threw up" at the carriage wiodoe.
He did not see Mr,. Brooks, at Shrewsbury, while the
brandy sad water was about, aid his evidence was opposed
to that of Mrs. Brooks and of Fisher. This evidence, hie
lordship repeated, differed entirely from that which had
been given on the other side; and it wen for the jury to
judge between them. The oily other mitoses was
• smut material oat, if his evidence was to be
taken. He meant Mr. Jeremiah Smith, the soheitor at
Rageley ; and it would be for the jury, haying heard him
gire hie evidence, and having heard the crass-ezaminatioc,
to say what credit they would attrcb to it. His lordship
then read Mr. Smith's evidence, and also the three letters
written by the deceased with reference to some overdue
bills, his improper intimacy with the prisoner's mother, and
his equivocating denial of his attestation of the document
already adverted to, which purported to bear the signature
of Walter Palmer. That wee the whole of hie evidence.
The j wry saw how this witness had undimmed himself, and
hew I. had denied the sigaatsue to the document, for Age-
ing which it was suggested that be had received Si. from
the prisoner; and the jury would have to say whether
this warn not really fact ; and then determine what credit
they would attach to the evidence of the man who had
told that palpable *Mahood. The witness had admitted
that he had taken means to procure his own appointment to
the agency of the immense' office, in order to 'mist in get-
ting an insurenes for 111,0091. on t'lle life of • man who six
years before was • baekrapt, and bad ever since been
without any means of living, sees • entail family allowance
from William Palmer or his mother. He also ad-
mitted that he had been engaged in the proposal to
Ware the life of Bates for 10,0001, Bates being
at the time • stable servant to Palmer, living
in lodgings at 6s. 6d. • week, and evidently having
no property. Could the jury, thee, give any credit to a
man who had been engaged I. such traneactioas ? That
wee the whole of the ease; sad it would be for the jury to
my whetter the effect of the evidence for the prosecution
was altered by that which had been gives for ihe defeats.
As te the evidence of Myatt, they would have to my
whether they could :sly upon It, and consequently whether
they should alter any opinion which they had formed be-
fore that evidence was elven. Thin, the general conduct
II of the prisoner remained for their consideration. No an-
Met whatever had been
lt:en to that part of the ease.
' Hie anxiety to have body of demised buried
speedily—that fact was not altered; the theory relative to
the betting book—that was not altered; the tempering
with the post-boy—that remained ; the tampering with the
sorosier—that also remained. There Will strychnia pur-
chased on Tuesday morning: there was no evidence as to
what had become of it. The use was now in the bands of
the jury; the evidence was before them, and 111011 it they
were to decide. They would not convict 'be primner upon
suspicion, cot even utosi a smug sespicioe; but them must
be • enoag conviction on their minds of his guilt before
they Mould bring in their verdict against him. If
there was any reasonable doubt of that guilt on
their minds, they would give the primmer the benefit
of that doubt; bet I( they bad a fall conviction of his guilt,
they would not be deters* from doing their duty to their
country by nay of the suggutions which had been made.
" Yew will give your verdict, ' said his lordship is coeds-
Mu, " according to the oath you have taken, and may Ged
direct you to a right verdict !"
Mr. &duet Shee immediately rose, and took exception
to the summing up of the Lord Chief Justice, oonsiderirg
that the quietism, whether the symptoms of Cook were
the symptoms of 'tricks* I" was the question which ought
not to have been pat to the jury, atlas it were added to
that question, "or symptoms that might have been pro-
dmed by some other muse I"
Lord Campbell—Tbat is not Ow question; it is a goes
ties. I have told the jery that unlem they consider the
.periAmos ahe death ol Uocolt were ocieststect wits the
symptoms of death by strychnia' they mule &Nutt the
prisoner; but if they considered that the symptoms were
smokiest with death by etrychnia, they would go on to
sot eider the other parts of the case ; whether strycbnia bad
been administered, and if tee, whether it had been so admi-
nistered by the prisoner. If thej wry came to the come mien
that the symptoms were not consistent with 'lmams, but
sash as might have remelted from natural disease, they
would acquit the prisoner; and if they believed that
stile ilia was administered, they would not Sad the pri-
soner guilty, Weis they further believed that the poison
was administered by Dim. Bat if they believed that Cook
died of Wyche*, and that it was adminis wed by the pri-
totter, they 'meld find • verdict of gaiity.
Mr. &quint Slice urged that the quettion ought cot to
have been put, in hie opinion, bat if overruled, he must
submit.

The jury than retired Ur confider their verdict at eighteen
nitrates past two; Use jedrs Mc retiring; sad the pri-
soner, who wore epos his features as expulsion of sate
despair, wu then, accordlog to each cam, taken down
Weer.

The crowds is the court broke up into coley converse-
thous' groups. as to the nature of the casino *verdict,
sad the news that thejery were deliberating travelled fast
and far, causing intense 'Bolen...it outside the Owl, where
an immense mass of people speedily asergrobled.
Daring the gamer ce of the jury. there was owe little is-
eldest, fall of sigoiflcent impert, whieh awakened narked
attentila, via., the entrance into court of the Re v. J. Davi.,
chaplain of Newgete, who took his seat upon the bench n ar
the seals of Oe judges, in full canonicals, ready to pronounce
the final "Amen" when es tense of death should be pro-
nounced, if the jury convicted the prisoner.
The jury /centered the court at thirty-five selectee past
three, bevies been *besot one hoar end seventeen minutes.
Dion the appeareace of the jury every whisper osaaart,
end men seemed seemly to breathe in the solemnity of the
=meat.

The d gee then resumed their rests, mad the prboser wee
reOthed at the bar, 'eoliths ealm sad quiet.
The primmer betreyed very little estotios daring the
interval that elapsed while the cremes of the juren were
betas called over.
Mr. Straight, the deputy Meek of arraigns, then inquired
of teen whether they bed '`reed upon their verdict?
The Fonmes=We hays.

Mr. Streight—Do you led the primmer guilty or net
guilty al the foloay and murder whereol he steads moused ?
Thr Foreman—We say that he is Guilty.
Mr. Straight then addremod the primmer, sad laid—
Primmer at the bar, you stand ormitoted of the crime of
wilful 'larder. Have you, or know rm, anythiog to urge,
why seatmee of death should not be passed upon you,
accord's( to law ?
The pTYOaso made ao reply, bet his feu reddened, and
there was evidently a slight sonvaisive twitching aboat bis
mouth._

Mr. Harker, the priccipal saber, then made the weal
produsatios for also.
The three Jedger thou put es their b'ack mpg, sad
The Lord chief Jostles proceeded to path sinuses spot
the prisoner in the following terms: Willis Palmer,
after a long and impartial trial you have been sonvioted by
a jury of Tour country of the crime of wilful murder. To
that verdict my two leaned broil:ars (Mr. Baron Alderson
sad Mr. Justice Creswell) who have so saziously attended
te every eirnmetance that has beau Rasped in evidence,
sad myself, entirely sear, and sossithr the etheletion al-
togetherisatisfactory. Your caw is& tended with such cress-
starch of eggravetio• that I do not dare to torch upon
them. Whether the press le the first and only offence that
yew have committed fs known only to Ood and to your
own conscience. It is seldom that each a fsmiliarity with
the means of death ha appeared to have bees acquired
without a lesg sethrieue; bat for the offence of which
you have bees found guilty, your Uf• is forhited.
You mut prepare to die, sad I treat that as you ran east
so mut, fa this world, yes will, by repenting of your
wham, seek to obtain pardon from Alreighl Ood. The
set of parliament under alias you have his tried, and
nadir shish yes hath been brought to the bar of
this mart, at year own request, gives power to the
wart to Creel that the sentence shall be ea.
tested either within the district of the Central Criminal
Court or In the *misty where the offence is thesmitted, and
In your case, it is oar opinion that, for the sake of example,
•bir tongue' shall be carried late sleet is the musty of
&sated. I hope tot your terrible sample will hays the
effect of &itemise; ethers from tbe commission of each
&treeless mimes ; and that it will be sees that, whets'
art or easing may be eseredsed to seeamplab sub
a CAM, with whatever castles, &twice is almost
ears to follow ; and however destatetive poisess
may he fa their elects, yet Prevideses, caring foe
the safety of lases life, has gives its ensnares the
mesas of detecting and puabbleg the peepetraton of such
Arenas as these. Again I estreat yes to prepare for the
awful *sage that awaits you. I will sot seek to ha
rep your White by di/oilier upon tbe circsmstasese of this
meet foul sad horrible nude/ : bat will at owe smith te
pass epos yes the steam ef the law, whisk S. that yea he
takes hem the bar at whisk yes &Metes/ be to the gaol
of Newpte, from obese, yela 411111111; .std OM re bi
wards removed removed to the am. pet et Illard. rug berg the
awry is Irbleb pew affirms roe eemilleed. reillre yea be

taken theses to the plate of exentioe, and hanged by the
neck until you be dead, sad that your body be afterwards
buried within the precincts of the triton where you were
last confined; and may the Almighty Ood have mercy on
your soul.
The Chaplain said, ":imen," and the response, in • low
tone, but audibly, wee repeated all over the court.
The prisoner did not seem at all .rested, while the tidal
sentence was being pronounced; but, on the thirteen, there
was aeon of sneering espremios on hle eountenance. Tbe
maseat the Chief Justice had onthluded, the prisoner
turned round, and walked hastily away from the dock, and
descended the staircase leading to the prison.
The Lord Chief Justice then addressed the jury, and said
that he had to tender them his most warm Unlike fir the
in which they had performed the animus duty
that had been clot op them. They were most of
them, no doubt, engaged in bashes; and the long de-
, nation they had anderune meet hays caned them very
considerable inconvenience, if not you. He could only hope
that they would be rewarded by the approbation of their
own consciences, and the approval of their country.
Mr. James then applied t i the court to order that all the
forged bills that bad been produced should be imponeded,
and placed in the charge of the officer of the coon.
The Lord Chief Justice said—Let it be done. His lord-
ship then said he thought it right, before the court sepa-
rated, to express hie thanks to the sheriffs for the admiranle
arrangements they bad made for the peen nation of order
and regularity during this important trial. Everything
had been done that could be required, and be begged to
tender his thanks to them, and to the City of London, tur
the pains they had taken to preserve order.
The proceedings of this ez.raorlieery trial ought not to
be brought to a dote with 'at an ecknowledgenent of the
great politeness shows and assistance rendered by the
under.theriffs, M . Stone end Rose, to the repre-
sentatives of the trees. The under-sheriffs had, as
may be well ,rnagined, other arduous duties to
pedant, but still they did everything that was possible
to give the reporter. the necessary facilities, and they gave
prompt attention to any just complaints that wen made to
them It was observed, by those who have been present
upon the occasion of malty important trials, that there had
been so little confusion or ice nvenienee experienced,
taking tote con•ideration the excitement caused by this
trial, as on the preterit occasion.

Before the judges left the cleft they eiwned a wamnt for
the removal of the prisoner to Stafford Gaol, and an order
to the sheriff of that comity to carry oat the sintenee.

Rab 3 fnulttantce.

COURT OF OF QUERNS BENCH.—Mat 27.
iIITTNIM IN 1/41,03.- DIV 011• l OOLILLUMIN, MA. MID

TIE 4URIN THI NORTH MITROPOI
COMPANY -JUDGMENT.

RAILWAY

In ads sae Kr. B. Hill applied for a rule calling upon the North
airs2elllnn Railway Campeny to ohow moss why a mandamus
salmi selling op n them to mAre that portion of their line
ist Ittglingagnilid•ci width the premises helm:atop to a Mr. Winn,
the /Bias snibusat, would be required. The motion was made on
Use pisond est the oneartslaty u to the pr.eeention of the works
promisi Ms desisting ss to the bst mode of dealing with his
PiYr. tilise Coleridge, In delivering Judgment, said that following
the prlnelpis Yid down in the ma at the York and North Midland
Cospany. the court were disposed to constrne the se rather as an
enabling then as &compulsory statute, and they did not think they
would belnetilled to calling upon the company to make the portion
of the tine which Yr. Visors required them to construct
Ruts zefesed.

COURT OF B

r.-MAT 27.

THI " MERCANTILE PROVIDENT IMICRANCI COMPANY."
Mr. Allen, Jun., @polled to the court for an order masticated me-
tiin pet atedinge which had been taken by the soignee' of • bank-
rupt eased Baboon against some of the shareholders In this cam
may. A writ woe taken out, la tha first instance, "mast the scam
pony fore debt of 70. for upholstery ; bet when they attempted to
seem It, at the Aloes of the ormpany, is New Midge-street. it sp.
peered that the tompany wee broken up, the offices were elated, and
the secretary end tremurer had disappeared. The writ bed been
served an • Mr. Watson, one of the acting director', and upon that
Judgment win @limed. Several of the shareholders conteaded that
(be Judgment was not oorreet ; but others admitted that it was, and
ow had offered to pay le Bd. in the pound, and soother la., with
coats. Tbe soignee@ were diepoted to accept these offers, trusting to
the doom of getting the remainder. It was not intended to pros
the peceesellep spinet the other shareholders, in ease the offer
were atimpted.
HO Broom made the requisite order.