The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-29 00:00:00

TILE CONVICT PALMER.

Notwithstanding the unanimous verdict of the jury,
Palmer, immediately after the proceedings on Tuesday,
complained to the under-sheriff that he had not received
a fair trial. The under-sheriff observed that he had !no
reason to complain, and reminded him that all the judges
agreed in the finding of the jury. Palmer's reply was-
ir Well, sir, but that don't satisfy me." During the
charge of Lord Campbell he repeatedly communicated
verbally and by written messages with Mr. John Smith,
his solicitor, and the counsel conducting his case.
After the learned judge had concluded, he addressed
a noire to Mr. Smith, in which he stated that Lord
Campbell's summing up was very unfair towards
him, and that, consequently, the jury must be pre-
judiced against him. He added, however, the expres-
sion of his belief that they would find a verdict of not
guilty. When informed by the under-sheriff, after the
sentence was passed, that ho must prepare immediately to
return to his former quarters in Stafford gael, he asked by
what railway he was to be conveyed—and, on being told
that the London and North-Western was the usual and
most direct route, he begged that he might be taken by
the Great Western Railway, as he stated that he was so
well known on the North-Western that he would be re-
cognised all along the line. The under-sheriff informed
him that his request could not be complied with, and he
acquiesced without any further observation. As it was
suspected that the prisoner might attempt to commit
suicide, and thus defeat the ends of justice, a now suit of
clothes'was prepared for him, which he was directed to
put on after his return to his apartment at Newgate. No
person was allowed to see him or communicate with him
after the sentence was passed, except the under-sheriff
and the authorities of the prison. Immediately after the
verdict was delivered a telegraphic despatch was forwarded
to the governor of Stafford gaol, requesting him to pro-
vide accommodation for the prisoner ; and on the arrival
of the train at Stafford at about 11 o'clock, a fly
was in waiting., in which he was conveyed toithe
gaol. Mr. John Smith and Mr. George Palmer, the
prisoner's brother, are taking steps to lay before the
Home Secretary a statement of facts, mainly in connec-
tion with the medical evidence, which they hope will in-
duce the right hon. gentleman to recommend her Ma-
jesty to exercise the prerogative of mercy by mitigating
the capital sentence. The grounds on which the appeal
will be made are the conflict of medical evidence, and
the absence of any direct proof that poison had been
administered to the deceased. Several communica-
tions have been forwarded by various medical practi-
tioners detailing cases of tetanus from natural causer,
accompanied by symptoms similar to those spoken to in
Cook's case ; and although some of those communica-
tions were not forwarded in time to be used at the trial,
the prisoner's friends are sanguine iu the hope that they
may have a favourable influence in the only quarter to
which an appeal can now he made. It seems that, during
the trial, the prisoner expressed a belief that one at
least of the jurymen, whose pveonnel appeared to at-
tract his attention, was not the man to return a verdict of
guilty, and on more than one occasion, in his communi-
cation with his counsel and his solicitor, alluded to this
gentleman. The jury were accommodated at the Lon-
don Coffee-house. A large room was prepared for them,
fitted up with 16 beds, and they were 12 days " seques•
tered" from their families, friends, and pursuits. Some
members of their families were admitted to see them, but
only in the presence of one of the officers of the court,
and their dormitory was locked atakight to prevent the
possibility of communicating with the external world.
The accouchement of the wife of one of the jurors took
place during his detention, and an application was male
to Lord Campbell to allow him to go home and see her,
in the presence of an officer of the court. Lord Camp-
bell, on ascertaining that the lady's health was not in
danger, said he felt bound to refuse the application, as,
it he granted it, he must in fairness concede a similar fa-
vour to the whole of the remaining jurors, should they
make an application to visit their families. On Sunday
week one of the jurors had a narrow e,cape of his life.
While walking in Epping. Forest one of the large trees
was blown down by the tempest, and fell with a great
crash within a few inches of his path, but, fortunately,
without doiag any injury.