The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-05-27 00:00:00

life. The law of this country wisely forbids the insurance of
a man's life by another person who has no interest in it ;
but the law, unfortunately, does not prevent a man who
insures his life from transferring it to another person.
The policy on Walter Palmer's life was assigned by him
to the prisoner, and he having died, it was expected that
the proceeds of that policy, which was for £13,000, would
be the means of enabling the prisoner to take up the
acceptance held by Pratt ; but the insurance office refused
to pay the amount on the policy, and hence arose the
most pressing demands on the prisoher. Pratt breed
immediate payment, and unless that were complied with,
is all human probability those forgeries, which had been
so long hid, would be discovered and brought to light.
His lordship then proceeded to read the evidence of Mr.
Espin, Mr. Padwick's solicitor, relative to the bill for
£2,000, and the two letters written by Palmer in reference
~eve to it ; one dated the 12th November, which was on the
.er not only Monday cf the a eek of the Shrewsbury races, and the
ee as early as half- other dated the 25th, the Saturday after the death of
out also the neighbour- Cook. Mr. Espin, in his evidence, said-I produce a bill.
.., one side, and as far as New- for £2,000, which was pladed in my hands by that gentle-
-hill, &c., on the other. The trial was man to enforce payment from the prisoner's mother.
eoject of conversation amongst the various The bill was due three months after date, but £l,OOO had
-vs assembled, and speculations, betting, &c.. on been paid off, and the bill was placed in my hands on the
.siteal,llt,rseeened to hp p.,-_. • 12th of December to enforce the payment of the remainder.
I received two letters from the prisoner ; one contained a
cheque for £l,OO, With a request that it might net be
presented till the 28th of November ; and the other related
to a sum of money, £350, about which there was some mis-
take about the remittance, and in which Palmer stated he
would shortly be in London. I produce a cheque for £l,OOO,
4i- , inclosed in the above letter of the 12th, dated the 28. h. I
eatalenA 0 clock the learned Judges, Lord Campbell, Me. presented it on that day and payment was refused. I. also
`ltlrt, a-dderson, and Mr. Justice Cresswele entered the produce a cheque for £6OO, dated Bth December, iu prison-
del shecompanied by the Lord Mayor, the Recorder, er's handwriting, payable to Mr. Pad wick or bearer, wilich
aobilit,'"'ffs• There was an immense number of the was also dishonoured. It was forwarded in consequeuce of
tlea. All the bench, including several ladies of distinc- the cheque of £l,OOO having been dishonoured. £l,OOO
epee t,_ I:he learned counsels on both sides were in attend- still remains due on the £2,000 bill. Execution was issued
at the A_e_ Pt the Attorney-General, who was not present against the person. The prisoner was taken on the ca se.
The commencement of the proceedings. This is strong evidence to show the state of the prieoner's
teal Prisoner on being placed at the bar maintained his circumstances at the time, and the pressure that was being
e,sortlin,es.llll and confident demeanour. Immediately on , •
4.e i 7, to the front of the dock he beckoned to Mr. Grove, put on him. We then cone to the evidence of
Mr. Pratt, which is most important for your con-
deare.e4nee...of
_his co.unsels, and was for some mo nts in
eetid sit eneersation with that learned gentleman. A sideration, Mr. Thomas Pratt said-" lam a solicitor,
axee one,nece noes, prevailed, and every eye was alternately paaetising in King-street, Mayfair. I am acquainted with
,Alre-e'ec Lord Chief Justice and the prisoner• the prisoner. It commenced in Nov., 1853, when I obtained
'lle 'erraant Shee however, rose, and begged that a a loan of £l,OOO for him. That was afterwards paid. In
stq a•ted
aethe Bth of September, 1855, drawn by Palmer, Oct., 11354, I was employed by him to make a claim on two
Att e
• at) opted by Cook, should be put in as evidence. policies, both on the death of Ann Palmer. I received £5.000
me conversation this was agreed to. from the Sun, and £3,000 from the Norwich Union. The
THE SUMMING UP. money was applied in payment of three bills amounting to
Leal a
a4lete, sthealenobell then amidst a most impressive and £3,500 or £4,000; £2,000 of it was
.on acceptantes and
ereeei- ra"'lnce which prevailed in every part of the densely loans obtained subsequently to the chimes on the policies ;
'3s to
commenced his address to the jury. He the remaining £1.500 Weft not so applied. In April, 1855,
'8 to }): "n So Mitch emotion, and in so low a tone of voice, he applied to me for a loan of £2,000. I obtained it on an
.a.l E. i? almost inaudible to the reporters, who were placed acceptance drawn by himself and accepted by his mother,
-etedeir'"" a considerable distance from him. His Lordship On the 20th November I and my clients held eight bills
et aeleed, by saying: Gentlemen of the Jury,-We have that I had discounted for Palmer. I held four of them
Nflie4% arrived at that stage in this solemn enquiry myself: There were two others then overdue. The
do ead the duty of the judge who presides to explain hills are as follows t --June •5, 1854, for three months
eseeeee the nature of the charge brought against the after date, drawn by Mr. Palmer, and accepted by
etai:ater at the bar, and to direct your attention to the
Ilsee; nee upon which you are to return your verdict ; and Sarah Palmer, for £5OO, and endorsed by him ; Aug.
lhata'n by conjuring you to banish from vour minds all 2, 1854, a similar bill for £lOOO, payable three months
teat ?;011 have heard relative to the charge before entering after date ; July 22, 1855, for £2,000, three
teed °x• Strong prejudice has, no doubt, prevailed in months after date; July 24, 1855, for £2,000, three
am Oil and elsewhere against the prisoner at the bar, months after the date, endorsed by Palmer to Thos. Pratt
ofkaparticularly in the county of Stafford, where the (both of these becoming due in November) ; Sept. 27, 1855,
beerulee for which he has to answer was alleged to have for 1,0001., for three months after date; Sept- 29, 1855,
'Of ignrnitted, and which was se strong that the Court for 2,0001., for three months after date ; Oct. 2, 1855, for
soeet;sen 8 Bench made an order, at the request of the pri- 2,0001., for three months, indorsed by Palmer to Thos.
to thee counsel, for the removal of the trial from that county Pratt and one, Oct. 12, 1855, for 2,000/., for three months
test,: Central Criminal Court, in accordance with the after date. The whole of the bills purported to be
that ' °r an act of Parliament especially passed to obtain
ob'drawn by Mr. Palmer, and accepted by Sarah Palmer,
leason sect. I feel, however, that on this occasion the
yable to the order of Palmer, and indorsed by him. The
wall,.
von arl have a fair and impartial trial; and whilst I whole
Zeu b..against being improperly influenced by what whole amounted to 12,5001.. 6,0001. had been renewed,
'eft g 1,,,7e heard elsewhere, I must also. warn you against and would become due in January ; two bills were only
'riden'e'Properly influenced against the prisoner by the overdue on the 20th Nov for 2,000/. One bill for 1,0001.
Priseeca that has been laid before you implicating the and another for 5001. was held over from month to month,
awe -tiller in bill tratsactions of a discreditable charater, as was the interest. The interest charged for discounting
kober,ed to be introduced into the case to raise the the bills was about 60 per cent. In August, 1855, Walter
ta, e flay of motive on the part of the person accused for Palmer died, and I made application to the Prince of
artnission of the crime with which he stands charged. Wales office for 13,0001., the amount of the policy. Sarah
beet, °eras me great satisfaction to know that the case has Palmer, as the acceptor of these bills, had frequently been
That C laid beforeyou. Everything has been done
; at Cala b
+4 cop,s e accomplished for the purpose of assisting you
taiteeaung to a right conclusion. The prosecution has been And there is every reason to believe that none of these
/alio; IP by the government of the country, so that justice letters reached Sarah Palmer, the mother, probably
eaer",,ue effectually administered, and the Attorney_ from some understanding between Palmer and the Rugeley
the :I, the first law officer of the Crown, has conducted postmaster, that they should not be delivered to her. His
m 0 Prosecution as a minister of justice. Again, I am lordship then read the lengthened correspondence that had
%eau Pleased to think the prisoner appears to have ample passed between Palmer and Pratt relative to these bills, and
~tll:eef Preparing and conducting his defence. Evidence the non-payment of the amount on the policy of insurance
ere„egard to the scientific part of the case has been very on Walter Palmer's life by the Prince of Wales Insurance
priir__LlY brought from all parts of the kingdom, and the
byre ,er has had the advantage of having his case conducted Company, all tending to show the pecuniary pressure the
prisoer as labouring under at the time, which was near
~ of the most distinguished advocates at the English
ales the period of Cook's death, and the probability there was
'eye, ‘4, I must strongly recommend you to attend to .
op. Ythlng that has been so eloquently, and impressively of the forgeries on the mother being known if the prisoner
nolieciehY him on the part of the prisoner, with the excep- was unable to meet them. At the conclusion of the reading
•of the' his own private personal opinion of the innocence of this correspondence, the learned judge proceeded to say,
youre Prisoner.. That by no means ought to influence that having read the letters in which Cooa was not con-
% minds in arriving at a just conclusion, if you cerned, he would now read some in which he was. The let-
hot
,to try the prisoner upon the evidence, and ters concerning the raising of money for Cook, which letters
co either
the opinion of the learned counsel engaged were directed by Palmer to be sent to him at the post-office,
ex_ either side. It would have been better if the Doncaster were read. In cross-examination the witness Pratt
been abstained
of such an opinion by the learned counsel the
Doncaster
Cook was represented by Palmer to him as a person of
Psis
abstained from, and it would be a lamentable and
respectability,and on writing to him at Lutterworth, respect-
sedrunate thing for the ends of justice if permitted. A -
40t oiler's plea of not guilty goes for :nothing, and ought mg a bill for £5OO, which had not been paid, ok came
eaet° influence ajury, and if followed out must, as I have up from Lutterworth and paid the amount himself. Alter
oa.tlaiY said, lead to disastrous consequences. An miss°. referring to other parts of the evidence, he nori came to
elpalaight be mistaken as to the innocence or guilt of his that of one of the witnesses, a butcher, residing at Rugeley,
the'lat, and he ought to rest his arguments of innocence on in which a conversation took place concerning the raising
ethQ.cts of the case as presented in evidence, and not of a sum of £25. On the 9th of November the prisoner
ow'" a verdict of not guilty from an expression of his had only a balance of £9 at his bankers ; and it certainly
feet,:Pinion to that effect. I will now, in a few words, did appear that, having to meet a cheque for £l,OOO, due
be tetn You the allegations on one side and on the other. on the 28th, and nothing to meet it with, he was in a
deeeane Part of the prosecution, it is alleged that the very desperate state. On the 21s: of November the Messrs.
aeatrserl John Parsons Cook was first tampered with by Weatherby received a letter from Palmer, enclosing an
thee ec4lY, and that he was afterwards killed by strychnia;
order for £3OO, and asking them to send him a cheque
4.71,), ,'lB symptoms were those of poisoning by strychnia,
for the amount for Cook, who, be represented, was ill
e,ithsnat the prisoner having a motive for making away
to laim, took an opportunity of administering strychnia of bilious attack. On the 22nd he again writes to Messrs.
to i.,, and that the circumstances were so suspicious as Weatherby, directing them to send cheques to Earwacker
14411 en him and no one else; that within a few and Pratt. On the 23rd Mr. Weatherby wrote to Palmer,
sai',B of the deceased's death, and when the telling him that there were not funds enough to meet it
PurePl.°sed poison was administered to him, he actually with, and therefore they could not comply with the request
prise ase,d a quantity of strychnia, and that the of Palmer-, therefore, his check had been sent to Wea-
Perseener conduct, previous to the death of John therby, and returned by him to Palmer. Sir. Weatherby
fetaieuns Cook and subsequently, was not dictated from received a letter on the 24th from Palmer, ordering them
11,0,2igseof humanity towards the deceased,
.but for the not to part with any money they had or might have
pears of being the better able to accomplish his pur-
belonzine to John Parsons Cook. The check alluded to
to On the other side it was contended, and you are - a
ci,,:Y, whether or not it was so, that the prisoner s cora had not been produced. They also had the evidence of
o s Detbre the deceased's death was dicta:ted purely by Butler, to show that the prisoner, previous to the Shrews-
le the
of humanity towards him-that he had no interest bury races, was short of money ; and if he (the prisoner)
es,le death of the deceased, but on the contrary, that he had no funds at his control, how was it possible for him
s.a7dtshee greatest interest in his life. Further, it was to have bought Polestar, whose value, after winning the
disea‘nat Cook did not die by strychnia, but from natural Shrewsbury race, was valued by the witness Batter at
too 2e, and that the symptoms preceding death were 700 guineas? and the mare was .afterwards sold at Tatter-
lhowe' 5 deal's, from natural causes, and that no part of sail's for 750 guineas. A document had also been spoken
eonsTftelen, ce, that ha.e been given shows anything. at all of, to which the late postmaster Cheshire was asked to
ie for'tel), with death from poisoning by strychnia. It sign his name. Why was not that produced ? The witness
ona fon, however, to decide whether the allegations on Burgen stated that the whole of the papers of the prisoner
ta:,,. aide or the other are proved, and a most anxioust,
4,4' is imposed on you thereby, for if you find the were taken possession of, and on examination neither that
se eoner guilty he will have to expiate his crime on the P - ned C iok,
aper, nor the order that purported to be sig by
biarair(l(l. It is of the greatest importance, not only to and which the Messrs Weatherby proved had been returned
S 4 but also to society, that you should thoroughly to Palmer, could be found amongst those pape s. These
tovestigate the charge, for if persons so acting are papers, after they had been examined by the solicitor, had
likescape with impunity, there would be no safety to been sent to his brother, Mr. G. Palmer, yet they had not
bard, and society, in its present state, would ebe been discovered. Burgen stated that he had carefully
the
tY able to exist. Unless you feel fully convinced th searched for the papers, and he could not find either of
your
proof of the prisoner's guilt is beyond all doubt, tati them. These papers ought to have been produced. He
.cro"..arebounden duty to acquit him, but in eases of this kind
would now proceed to tee circumstances which took place
the
dead]
expect that witnesses should be called who saw
The neadly poison administered by the prisoner openly to at Shrewsbury, and the jury would have to draw their
e world. Evidence has been called necessarily of a own conclusion. The first witness called was Fisher,
.t
• ire
11-aistantial character tending to the conclusion of the who stated that he was a wine merchant, and knew Cook,
iCyai
It of the prisoner; but before you return that verdict and saw him at the last Shrewsbury races, when
inett Must be satisfied that the evidence fully justifies you Polestar won. Cook seemed well on that day, On the
eohaerr,lving at that conclusion. With respect. to the pri- evening of Wednesday he said he stopped at the Rainbow,
oo','r-a motive, it is of great importance that you should where Palmer and Cook were stopping, and now corn-
str-sicler whether there was a motive or not sufficiently menced the tampering with Cook. Cook had some brandy
al cuts enough to wish him to get rid of the deceased, for and water, and he asked Palmer to have some, but he said
a.either case it was of the greatest importance. At the
he should not until he had drunk his- Cook did so, and
otdut. e time you must bear in mind that the experience of
e__ criminal courts shows that acts of this kind have been immediately after he said there was something in it. The
r:Petrated from very slight motives indeed, and to gain a glass was handed to Reid and Fisher, and the latter said
-I'll Pecuniary advantage. It appears to me that the there was a strong scent. In ten minutes after taking this
iitlestion you will have to consider is this-whether the brandy Cook left the room and was taken ill ; and Fisaer
seaLTPetorns presented by Cook's death are consistent with deposed that on Cook coming to his room he told him he
• nby strychnine, for, if not, and you believe that had been sick, and that he received from him about £7OO
e h arose from natural causes, the prisoner is at once to take care of. The next morning Palmer said to Fisher,
iniitled to your verdict, and ought to have it; but if the " Cook says I have been putting something in his brandy,
traPtoms are consistent with poisoning by strychnine, but he was d- drunk." It was important to recollect
edeall You have another important question to answer- the evidence on this point. Fisher had always been in
ta ether the evidence which has been adduced is sufficient
the habit of settlingdebts, and he also said he saw
t 0
convince you that the poison was administered by the
One
the Shrewsbury race course Cook's betting-book ; and
eadener• In cases of this sort the evidence is naturally
it was an extraordinary circumstance that, as a large sum
ii,e generally confined to medical and moral evidence.
of money had been won by Cook, the betting-book could
ih'e medical evidence being that of the scientific men, and
e moral evidence the circumstantial facts connected not be found. The learned judge then went through the
Nvbeith the case; and it is impossible to separate them, other part of Fisher's evidence, and came to that given by
v,„e,,ause it is only by a comparison of the two that a Jones, who deposed to hearing the deceased make the
talheeict ought to be returned. In this case you will look remark about the brandy and water. Gibson, the assistant
eitit."ee medical evidence, and say whether the deceased to a surgeon in Rugeley, said he was sent for, and when he
we ale by strychnia ; and to the moral evidence, and say arrived he found Cook in a very bad condition, and he sent
di the prisoner not only had the opportunity, but him some pills and a draught; and the evidence of the
is`alactually avail himself of that oppotunity, and admin-
witness Brooks would finish the evidence on that portion
teary Observations
the oison to the deceased. With these prelim-
ejr; I will now proceed to read over the of the case which related to Shrewsbury. This witness
id aLence which has been given, and I most earnestly stated that she saw the prisoner with a glass in his hand
by that you will not be led away in the slightest degree shaking the contents of it round ; she also stated that
e! any observations that I may make, but that you will she saw him hold it up to the light, and she also stated,
b' guided entirely by the evidence. The verdict must in her cross-examination, that a great many of the people
ve, Ours,
and in your hands must this case rest. I attending the Shrewsbury races were taken ill. The next
alli begin reading the evidence at that part of the case point to be considered was the evidence of Elizabeth Mills,
eio,f)Pened by the Attorney-General, respecting any [lt will be recollected that it related to Cook's illness, the
ta ve the prisoner might have had to induce him or administration of the pills by the prisoner on the Monday
it
elvish for the getting rid of the deceased, and which, if and Tuesday at the Talbot Inn, at Rugeley, also the whole
ea:existe(, must have arisen out of certain pecuniary proceedings a few minutes prior to the death of Cook, and
3,(:!!!saetions, the nature of which has been laid before
also as to having seen the betting book in Cook's room on
suu•lt appears that the prisoner borrowed large
the Monday previous to his death.] He (the Lord Chief
• a,-.4,-,33 et' money upon bills of ekchange which he drew, : .
his Justice) did not think there was the slightest ground to
Tana which purported to be accepted by
tip one of which was in the hands of a gentleman to suppose that this witness had been bribed to come
ened Padwick. It was for £2,000, .4'1,000 bad been forward to give her evidence. She also stated. she
red, and there was gLeoo remaining due on it. A. had seen Mr. Gardener two or three times, but he was a
Solicitor of the name of Pratt had also advanced large highly respectable gentleman, and it could not be supposed
thins of money, and the prisoner on similar bills, amount- that he would attempt in any way to prejudice the witness,
a„, to £12,500. Several of these bills had been renewed, or give her directions as to the evidence she was to give.
'ehthere were two or three for £2,000, each due on the
lass
') of October, 1855, and the other on the 27th of Oct The evidence of the witness Elizabeth Mills, as given before
d„ • One half of £5OO, and another of £l,OOO was over: the coroner, differed only from that given before this court
"4-h and held over from month to month. Besides these by the omission to state upon that occasion that the broth
large sums advanced by Pratt to Palmer, he had con- had made her sick. The jury had heard the explanation
ar
a'eted very large debts with an attorney of Birmingham, which she had given, and it was for them to determine
Jid £lO,OOO was due to him on them. The prisoner whether they thought her evidence was not to be believed
oiPected to pay the bills owing to Pratt by the proceeds in consequence of that omission, particularly as they found
a Policy of insurance effected on his brother Walter's s her evidence corroborated by the statements of her fellow-