The Sun.
London, England, 1824-01-08 00:00:00

• will see that Presinan said, that mine was a bay horse in the of execution, there to be hanged by the neck until you are dead;
yellow gig, which contradicts what has since been declared. I and may the Lord, of his great mercy have pity oil your souls."
beg pardon, I will not trouble your Lordship any more. Thurtell continued to display the same thinness to the end
lee. Justice PARK—I have asked the Counsel what. the Pri- of this sentence : Hunt was extremely dejected. When it
saner means by his observation relative •to Hunt being at Field's- was finished, Thurtell talked for a• few moments to some per.
He supposes that. he wishes it to be inferred that Hunt came to sons in the court, and then both prisoners quitted the dock with
this house for the purpose of taking steps with Probert to ase- the gaoler and his officers.
crete the body. I am willing to receive the evidence it No day; it will be observed, was fixed tor the execution of
Counsel thinks proper. Hunt.
The evidence was not produced. The Court was eatcessively crowded ; no person had been al--
The Learned j1:11).(1E said, he had looked at-the depositions of lowed to enter for an hour and a half preceding. The Judge
Freeman and his wife, which contained not a word about the retired to his lodgings at five o'clock, and the court was cleared.
yellow gig or the horse. His Lordship then proceeded to the con- A few minutes before five o'clock, the prisoners were re-con-
clusion Of his clialee;e. It must, he observed, be a general corn- veyed to gaol, in a post-chaise, strongly guarded by the local
fort to the Jury and himself, that, whatever would be the result police. A great number of persons had previously placed
of that day, nothing but impartiality had reigned in their minds, themselves about the prison-gates, and the approach of the post-
With-respect to Hunt, he had forwarded his statement to the chaise was notified to them, by the post-haste speed with which
'Crown. The prisoner Thurtell had delivered a lOng address, to several hundred persons advanced in front of the carriage. We
which they would pay every attentica . In the case of Thurtell were surprised to see many elegantly-dressed ladies parading
there was this distinct from Hunt, that he had called three wit- the road, near the prison, in the hopes apparently, of having a
nesses to his character. The first, Captain Ol‘Kinlay, he was glimpse of the culprits.
obliged to observe, was an acquaintance of a very ancient date. W' hen theprisonersalightedfrom thecarriage,and wereremov-
If they had continued acquainted it might have materially ed into the ante-room of the gaol, Mr. Wilson, the gaoler, was
served him on this
.day. But, in a case of this kind, cha- under the necessity of ordering their irons to he replaced, and this
meter was to be taken into consideration where there was was done in the presence of Bishop, the Bow-street officer, three
ground for fair and reasonable doubt; but if there were no of the attendants of the prison, and a gentleman who was acci-
room for doubt, they could give no weight to evidence of that dentally present. The Rev. Mr. Lloyd wasinan adjoining room,
description. They were not trying his good character, and btrt did not present himself to the prisoners. When the irons were
much less his bad one. If, therefore, calumnious reports, such fixed, Mr. Wilson, according to the usual practice after con-
as had been stated, had been made against his character, demnation, searched the prisoners, but nothing worth particular
although they could not affect a case so clear, yet he must notice was found upon their persons. On opening Thurteli's
express his surprise that men with the least education, or the snuff-box, which was taken for the 'lament out of his waistcoat
least tenderness in their hearts, or who knew any thing of what pocket, it was found to be empta ; he turned round to Bishop
was due to good morals or -sound religion, could do such things. and said, " Bishop, have you any snuff, you see my box is
But again, he said, they were not trying character; and if an empty 2" Bishop replied, that he had none—he never carried a
angel were proved guilty of a specific crime, his character would box, and was particularly sorry for it at that mom ent. A gentleman
not avail him. If, therefore, notwithstanding the darkness of presentimmediately took out his box, and afterasking permission
the night, through which no human eye could see the act but from Thurtell to take that liberty, emptied its contents into his
the man who committed it, they were satisfied by the evidence, box. Thurtell took a pinch, handed it to the gentleman, and
all he had further to say to them was, -that it was their duty to to Mr. Wilson, and put the box into his pocket with great coin-
themselves, to God, and to their country, to pronounce a verdict posure. He was then removed into a cell, where two persons
accordingly; and notwithstanding their own individual feelings, specially appointed are to sit up with him henceforth. It was
they would eventually best satisfy them and their consciences remarkable, that although he manifested some apparent recon.
by such a course. ciliation with Hunt on the preceding night, he never yesterday
As the Jury were about to retire, Hunt asked leave to address evening spoke to him, until requested to do so by Mr. Wilson.
a few words to his Lordship. Last night the Old Bailey executioner arrived in Hertford,
Mr. Justica. PARK said it distressed him to have so many preparatory to the execution of the sentence passed upon the
irregular appeals made to him. It', however, upon communi- prisoners.
eating with his Learned Counsel, he should think fit to offer THURTELL'S CONTRITION AND RESIGNATION.
any thing, he would hear what the prisoner had to say. The room in which Mr. Wilson placed Thurtell little corre-
Mr. THESSIGER immediately went to the rrisoner, and af- sponded with the idea formed by
the frequenters of Newgate
terwards communicated to his Lordship, who then informed the
Jury lie had nothing to say to them. of a condemned cell. It was large, spacious, and airy, - 'Fitted
by a lamp, and candle, and warmed by, a comfortable fire.__.
THE VERDICT:' Three or four prisoners are ordered to attend hint constantly
The Jury retired at half-past three, and returned at four, and, as an additional precaution, handcuffs were applied' to
when their names having been called over-they were asked for him. His books area bible, prayer-book, and one or two
their verdict by the usual officer. other volumes, containing religious consolation. As soon as
tae arrangements for his final conianetnant were made, the
The Foreman gave in the verdict—John. Mullett GUILTY
of
Chaplain of the jail waited upon him.. hrtell, struck by
MURDER--Joseph Hunt aemair y.as an ACCESSARY the presence of the Gentleman, whose appearance (as he
before the Fact. I uniformly expressed it) consoled him, burst into tears. od for

The verdict having been recorded,
Mr. A xpnEws addressed a few words to the Bench, which
we were unable to hear further than that their import seemed
to contain some allasion to mercy—we . presume in behalf of
Hunt.

the first time since hiS imprisonment, manifested the-warmest
and most agitated sense of his, deplorable condition. The
Chaplain, us we understood, expressed the gratification he felt
this happy change in Thurtell's .demeanour, and
for mercy where alone he could now
him, to offer uP
in the strongest manner the necessity of his availing
expect it. Thimeli instantly, with his eyes suffused in tears,
hainitimPfirsneelsdfsieloi4gf the few hours which remained to
world, and implcred the nrrciful forgiveness of God. His man-
dheiscicaornedtrittihoant;ahnisd epornatyrerition
.was sincere, that he forgave the
prospect of the new Scene into which
ner was fervid.and impassioned, but at the same time free from
any whining affectation of mere penitence, or tremulous ap-
His declaration of contrition was at once
he is about to pass. •
• ed • and his manner so uneff- t dand so
manly and resign ,c..c e -
notwithstanding the dreadful circumstances of
and that he could
his fate ;
in his fat-,
prehensionienlr,thatatitthe near
inspire -
was calculatedto very- great interest
go forth with the firmness of a Christian to
his now ea-tablished and admitted crime. He said that death
to him, after the misery of his late mode of life, was a relief,
but he added, that domestic recollections—the
anguish of the surviving members of his family, and par-
at life respectable which
thai.farly
of a mother and sister, whose instructions and society
frith shame—these were,
he said, the the reflections which overwhelmed him with grief and
would only
would, adlineorv,e,d
bteo,rhelanYeembmearde‘ei twli
sorrow.
He was now ready to resign himself to any pre-
paration for his fate, and snore particularly with a gentleman
who had never approached him, as others had done by letters, 1
1
to tamper with his feelings,
but to compose and assuage his if-
flietiou. 'rhe attendants were struck with the ahered manzler
of the prisoner, and more affected, almost, than he. Yre.4o,i-afself.
He became calmer after his interview with the Chaplain, and I
his firmness subsided into a decent resignation; he repeated his
readiness to meet his fate as soon as possible, hoped for the for-
giveness of his family, and the oblivion of his offences.
HERTFORD, 9 o'eoefc.—A person, who has just left the
gaol, has informed us, that Thurtell, though greatly moved by
feelings for his family, still maintains the general firmness of
character which he has manifested throughout. His brother is
allowed to remain with him. Mr. Wilson, the governor of the
gaol, when the prisoners were removes:Thom the dock, entreated
Thurtell to make friends with Hunt. Thurtell said" With
all my heart," and shook hands with his fellow-convict.—
Twelve javelin-men are stationed within the prison.
-........._

MOTION' IN ARRESTIOP JUDGMENT.
,Mr. Cm IT TY then rose to make a-motion in .arrest of Mg_
merit. The Learned Counsel grounded his motion on an Act
of the.sth and 6th-of Edward the Sixth, chap. '3, which or-
daired the observance of certain -days as holy days, upon
which all secular proceedings were null and void. Such,
he. contended,
.were the proceedingS in- this trial which
had been carried on in• opposition .to the spirit of this
Act on. the preceding day, which was.the Epiphany. The Act
in
.question provided that Sunday, Christmas Day,. • Good
Friday; and similar days, should be die: non in law. So much
so wal this that no arrest could ,belnade on Sunday ; and even •
if the officer attempting it were killed, the slayer could not be
indicted for murder. • Vvletlicr right or wrong, this law stood
,upon their Statute Book, at d ;As such it was incumbent on his
Lordship to observe its provisions: He considered that the,
Jurymen,
fur having sat iliere ,yterdaY-were all indictable_
this, as
Good Priday. He therefore entreated his Lordship •to take
It was always customary to atriiirr. over Christmas Day and
case of magnitude, into his solemn consideration/
That it ought to hive efl;:ct he pledged his profesSional opinsn,
for the.truth of which he appealed to God. •
11Ir. Justice ?Arm over-ruled the objection-of the Learned
Ceuase.l. '• He did not fear eccigSlastical proceedings, and he
was sure nothing was more common. than for Judges to on
Good,Frida7s ; nor could he hope for any encouragement in
offering suth a question to-the twelve -Judcfe.s, -when
.the
.Lord
Chief Ju.siice was yesterday sitting in important
causes. He had not the slightest doubt himself, and he would
not disgrace his ofßce by arresting j udgment on such a
pro-
position.

- The Clerk of the Arraigns now asked the prisoners if they
phraodnaonuynetehding.,
of death should not be
Thtirtell then leaning over the bar,
uponto urgettaem ?why sentence
said,.l implore your Lordship to take what I have to say into
your most serious consideration. I now for the last time assert
my innocence. I repeat, I hope Your Lordship will take my
Mt
request into your. serious consi ration, when I beseech you to
postpone the execution until Monday next.
reason for
anskdin manyg this
at a consider:, le distance,
is, that
For myself alone I would
,not ask this delay ; for if the sentence
and them : wishy friends
to
were to be executed now,
I am ready; but I ask it fOr the sake. of those whose feelings
on this occasion are of more interest to trit than my own. Be-
tween rue and some members of my family there are some little
matters to be arranged which will require, the delay for which
I ask.
During this short address, the Prisoner spoke in a subdued
though firm tone of voice, and was evidently labouring under
considerable anxiety. Whenever any allusion was made to his
family; he seemed to be much affected.
The prisoner Hunt declined to address the Court.
THE SENTENCE.
Mr. Justice PARK having put on the black coif, addres3ed
the prisoners as follows :

The execution of Thurteil, it is understood, will take place
in a gravel-pit, opposite the prison, which is the usual spot for
such purposes in this county. ` A new drop has been prepared
for the occasion.
Mr. Justice Park set off for London immediately after the
conclusion of the trial. The High Sheriff' remains. The wit-
nesses also set off for London ; and by ten o'clock every thing
was quiet.

" John Thurtell and Joseph Hunt, after a very full,
a very fair, and, I trust, an impartial trial by a Jury of
your country, you have been found, I think with great pro-
priety, guilty of the offences with which you have been
John Thurtell, as a principal in
respectively charged--you,
Joseph Hunt, as his accessary. It can-
It:
but murder,
givand
give
t y
to
evoeury,
feeling
"mind deep regret, that a per-
son who has this day shown himself born for better things, and
who, I hope, in earlier life received impressions of virtue from
his parents, should have committed so detestable a crime ; for
notwithstanding the assertions of innocence which you have
over and over again made, I, who can only judge like all other
mortals from the evidence before me, am as fully satisfied of
your guilt, as if I had seen you commit the crime with my
mortal eyes. I beseech you not to lay that flattering unction
to your soul, lest that all-seeing eye, which, as you have this
day truly raid, aLltearts, should discover that you
have entered his presenee with a tie in your rrittth, gild per:
jury in your right hand. You knew, and He knows, whether
there is any foundation for the assertion which you have so often
repeatea. By the evidence before me, it appears that this is
one of the most foul and wicked murders that ever was perpe-
trated. That you should have formed an intimacy with the
deceased in those haunts of gaming and vice which are the bane
of society ; that you should have
professed friendship for him
that you should have invited him-to the house of your friend ;
that he should have carried with him clothes for his ornament and
for his use, and that in a moment of darkness, and before be
reached that house, he should be no more—cut off by your
band, are all circumstances aggravating your crime. If he
wa3 a man of such character as has been represented, think
how much the criminality of -you and your accomplice
hai been increased by sending him to his final account be-
fore he could once think of his God, or call upon his name.
I seek not to aggravate this offence. I wish not to make you
more wretched, but I hops that you will not apply some healing
falsehood to your souls. Short as your time is for prepara-
tion, remember that it is more than twenty times told, that
which you gave to this unhappy man. Between the last Assizes
and the present time, I hope you have not been wanting in pro-
viding the defence you have this day made, as well es in a
much more importent affair, in making your peace with that
God with whom alone is mecy. The clergyman of this gaol
is, I understand, a most respectable man. I recommend you
to converse earnestly with him, and to seek the only means
of regaining, through the merits of your Saviour, the pardon
of God whom you have offended. I implore you to seek for it
earnestly, and I pray Most sincerely that the gates of mercy may
; be still open to you. [The Judge was here much affected ; the
prisoner Hunt sobbed loudly, and placed his handkerchief before
his face. Thurtell's countenance indicated no emotion ; he
was serious and profoundly attentive.] To that mercy I com-
mit you. The sentence of the law upon you John Thurtell is,
that you be taken hence to the place from whence you came,
and, that on Friday next, the 9th of January, you be taken to a
place of execution, there to be hanged by the neck until you
are dead ; and that your body be afterwards taken down and
delivered over to be dissected and anatomized.—Upon you,
Joseph Hunt, who have been convicted of maliciously aiding
and abetting this murder, the sentence is, that you. be taken •
hence to the place from whence you came, and thence to a place