The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-07 00:00:00

THIRD EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, 4 o'CLoCK.

TRIAL OF DR. PRITCHARD

TIM DAY.

THE VERDICT.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

EDINBURGH, FRIDAY.

The intense interest manifested during the whole
of the four days this extraordinary trial has lasted
was greater than ever this 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 court, and
the police had the greatest difficulty in keeping a
space clear for those personally engaged in the trial.
As early as seven o'clock this morning 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. It was even greater than
on the celebrated trials of Madeline Smith (who
was tried eight years ago for poisoning her sweet-
heart, and was acquitted on the peculiar Scotch
verdict of " Not Proven") and Mrs. Gilmore, who
was also acquitted on a similiar charge of poisoning
her husband. The latter female, it will be remem-
bered, was the first person brought back under the
extradition treaty with America.

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.

His appearance was much the same as it was at
the commencement of the trial. There was, how--
ever, a slight shade of sadness in his expression, but
no trace of that anxiety and deep mental suffering
to be expected in a person charged with such a
dreadful crime and with his life in such imminent
danger. During the continuance of the summing
up to-day, notwithstanding the strong remarks of
the Solicitor-General with reference to the damag-
ing points in the evidence against the prisoner, he
presented that coolness and indifference he has all
along exhibited, with the exception of the time
when his children were under examination.

The Lord Justice Clerk, in a very audible voice,
commenced his summing up, and having called to
the recollection of the jury the evidence adduced
both on the part of the Crown and for the defence,
concluded by earnestly impressing 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 him. They were not to proceed upon sus-
picion, 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 conclusion of his guilt, they were not
to allow any suggestion 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 beseeching an all-wise and
all-seeing Providence to direct them to a right
verdict.

The jury then retired to their room.
On the return of the jury,

The Clerk of the Court, addressing the jury,
said—Gentlemen, have you agreed to your verdict?

The Foreman, in a firm tone—We have.

The Clerk of the Court—How say you, gentle..
men ; do you find the prisoner Guilty or Not
Guilty.
The Foreman—We find the prisoner " GUILTY"
of murdering Mary Jane Taylor or Pritchard, his
wife, and also " GUILTY" of the murder of Jane
Cowan or Taylor, his wife's mother.
Silence having been proclaimed,

The Lord Justice Clerk put on the black cap and
passed sentence of death in the usual manner,
which he said would be carried into effect at Glas-
gow, on Friday, the 28th of July.
The prisoner was completely overcome when he
heard his doom.