Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-11 00:00:00

MONDAY-THIRD DAY.

The trial was resumed at the sitting of the Court this
day. The interest manifested in the proceedings was
unabated, and on the doors being opened every available
','.ace was immediately occupied by those who had
provided themselves with tickets of admission. Large
crowds of persons remained about the doors
throughout the day, anxious to obtain intelligence of
the proceedings, and that anxiety became the more
intense as the case drew towards a close, The Judges
having taking their seats at shorly after ten o'clock, the
prisoner was placed at the bar. His appearance was
unaltered, and his demeanour apparently as calm and
unmoved as on the previous days of the trial. Before
closing Mr Brewster wished to state, that in the
prisoner's time book which was evidence, there
were two entries, the first was that he was em-
ployed for a quarter of a night in the cash
office, and the second, that he was employed a quarter
of a night on the 8 h of November, varnishing in the
station. With permission of the court they wished to
prove the fi iding a towel and poker in Mr. Little's room.
William Haghes, police constable, was then called and
examined by Mr. Brewster. I was in Mr. Little's room
the day it was forced open. I found that towel;
produced, stained with sliolcod, on the desk a
which Mr. Little appeared to have been sitting.
I saw that poker produced in the room. I saw a penknife
and scissors, and a white-handle penknife in the writing-
desk. Mr. Curran then proceeded to address the jury on
behalf of the prisoner. He dwelt on the conflicting
evidence of the prisoner's children, which • differed
materially from their former testimony. He also urged
the possibility of a paramour of ma. Spollen's having
done the deed. He likewise contended that nothing
had been proved that could in any way con-
vict the prisoner. After speaking lone hours, he
concluded, implo ing them before they consigned the pri-
soner to the grave, to see that the evidence was such as
could leave no doubt upon their minds, and not to convict
him unless they were convinced that the evidence was
totally consistent with his innocence, should be satisfied
that no other person could have committed the murder,
and they should not convict the prisoner on any
mere suspicion. The principle of the law was, that it was
better a thousand guilty men should escape than one inno-
cent should be convicted. The law was merciful, and its
mercy should be administered. They should not confound
the innocent with the guilty, or punish the innocent for
the crime of the guilty. There was a tribunal at which
they all would one day appear. The prisoner
asked for that calm, careful, and merciful consideration
of the case that any one placed in his position
would expect ; and all he (sr. Curran) hoped was
that when the sad hour came when they would have to lay
their heads on. the pillow of death, they would not feel
any remorse for anything in reference to the trial of James
Spollen. Mr. Brewster, for the prosecution, made a strong
speech against the prisoner, lasting from four to seven p.m.
Chief Justice Monaghan will charge the jury this
(tuseday) morning at ten o'clock.