The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-28 00:00:00

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C/9117
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donbt, give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt ; but if
they came to a clear conclusion as to his guilt, they
...in 4-4
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etilk, • were not to allow any suggestions made by the deft not
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h; 'Tr 0 Itl
St) - X 1 ;1 C .. ' to deter them-from-doing their duty. They were to re-
member the oath which they had taken, and upon
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4 • • : . that act. The learned judge, who was moved to tears"
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added, in conclusion, "And may God direct you to a
.1 •

right verdict."

Sergeant Shee submitted to the Court that the ques•
tion whether the symptoms were consistent with strych•
nia ought to have been submitted.
Lord Campbell—I have told the jury, unless they
think the symptoms described agree with the supposi.
tion that the deoesied died from strychnine, and, con.
sistent with the facts, that they ought to acquit the
prisoner.
Mr. Baron Alderson-said that had been stated in the
speech.
After some further remarks from Mr. Sergeant Sheep
Lord Campbell told the jury that Rot only must they
be satisfied that the symptoms described agreed with
the supposition that deceased died from strychnia, but
that it was administered by the prisoner.
It was then 20 minutes past two, and the jury retired,,
and having been absent until 25 minutes to four, re-
turned into court.

[PRICE 4D.

STAMPED SD•

Taylor and D. Rees had Administered strychnia to th
animal experimented upon the poison had not been
found. We Next have the evidence of Dr. Rogers, a
professor of chemistry in the St. George's School of
Medicine, who had experimented upon decomposed
animal 'matter and had discovered the poison, as the jury
would 'recollect ,when they heard his evidence read .to
them. , [His lordshiP here read the evidence.] Accord.
ing to this evidence, where the stryohnia bad been mixed
with impure, matter it ought to hava been discovered.
The next witness was Dr. Henry Lethehy, a bachelor of
medicine in the London Hospital. This gentleman
stated that he had paid great attention to the action of
poison on living. bodies ; and in his evidence he 'stated
that in the account he had heard of Cook's death there

The prisoner; who had retired below, was then
brought up, , and again placed at the bar. He seemed
perfectly calm.
The jury having answered to their,names,
Mr. Straight put the usual question—Are you agreed
in your verdict; do you find the prisoner guilty or not
guilty ?
The foreman said, in a firm tone of voice, we find the
prisoner guilty.
The crier of the Couri (Harker) then made the usual
proclamation commanding Silence to be kept whilst the
sentence of death was being passed.
Their lordships having put on their black caps,
Lord Campbell, in a voice that at times was scarcely
audible, said —William Palmeri you have, after a long and
impartial trial, by a jury of your own countrymen, been
found guilty of the crime of wilful murder, and with that
verdict my learned brothers, who have watched the trial •
with the utmost anxiety throughout, and myself, entirely •:
agree: A case like this is attended with such circum-
stances that it is'doubtful whether this is,yout.first crime
or not—that is known only b God and yourself. There
can be no doubt that you were, from long expe-
rience, intimate and familiar with the means of
death. For this offence you must prepare
to die. • Yon must not look for or expect any mercy' Its
this world, but by- prayerseek to" obtain it from another
tribunal. You have, at your own ,request, and by an
act of Parliament passed on purpose, been tried at this
Court ; and this Court has the power to order you to be
executed either at tire place of execution pertaining to
this gaol, or remove you to the county where
your crime was committed. We think for the sake of
public example -that it ought to take place in the
county of Stafford, and I hope that the terrible ex-
ample will deter others from sueh atrocious crimes, and
show that whatever art, caution, or experience is
exercised to prevent the discovery of such crimes, and
that however secret or destructive such poisons may be,
it is 'ordained by Providence, for the safety
of its creatures, that there should be means
of detecting those using them. I again implore
of you to prepare for the awful change, which you
are about to undergo. Ido not wish to harrow
your feelings by entering into the details of this
horrid case, but shall content myself with passing upon
you the sentence of death, and that is that you be taken
from where you aro now standing to the gaol of New-
gate. and from thence conveyed in custody to the gaol of
Stafford, and from thence to the place of execution, and
there to be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and
may the Lord have mercy upon your soul, and that
after death your. body be buried, within the
precincts of the gaol from whence you were taken.
The prisoner did not seem at all affected while the
awful sentence was being pronounced, but, on the con-
trary, there was evidently a s)rt of sneering expression
on his countenance. The moment ths Chief Justice had
concluded, he turned round and walked hastily away
frem the dock and descended the staircase leading to the
prison.
The Lard Chief Justice then addressed the jury, and
said he ha to tender them his most sincere thanks for
the manner in which they had performed the arduous
duty that had been cant upon them. They were, most
of them, no doubt engaged in business, and the long de-
tention they had undergone mustjiave caused them very
considerable inconvenience, if not loss, He could only
hope that they would he rewarded by the approbation
of their own consciences and the approval of their
country.
Mr. James then applied to the Court to order that
all the forged bills that bad been produced should be
impounded and placed in the charge of the officer of the
court.

was nothing which differed from death by tetanus caused
by strychnia) and he farther stated that the symptoms
of Cook's death 'were quits irreconcileable with anything
he had ever beard. The evidence of Dr. Letheby was then

read. At its conclusion his lordship said—Dr. Letheby
no doubt spoke sincerely. He was a skilful scientific and
hononrable'man, and ho Fitated that where strychnine
had been administered he shouicl expect to find it, and
it would be for the jury to say whether proper' means
had been taken to diScoVer the poison. Then Dr.
Gay was called, and ho detailed, a decided case of.
tetanus. It was that of a labouring man. He stated it
was a case of idiopathic tetanus. The man was kept alive
tilt thel4th day, when he died. [This evidence was read.)
It stated that an omnibus conductor was brought to. the
withess suffering from catarrh. bra the fourth day stiffness
of the jaw came on, and on the 14th day the man died.
He had been suffering from a sore throat.] His lordship
said—Here is a case of idiopathic tetanus, and it would
• .

he for the jury to infer what analogy there was with the
case of Cook. The eviience that has been given, I
think, goes to show that the case of death was no'inore
idiopathic tetanus than traumatic. Then they had the
evidence of Dr,: _ 13rgwn.:.14.ordebia..1?aw PILO ,the
evidence, which went to shoVilhat-the Case-Apoken to
was one of tetanus in which there had been syphi-

but there were wound of old standing in dif-
ferent parts of the body.] It will be recollected
that there was none of those wound•, according to the

evidence for the pro iecution, on the body of Cook. At
the conclusion of the reading of the evidence of this wit-
ness, his lordship said—Here is a case of tetanus, but I
don't know why it is brought forward, but in this case it
will also be for yen, gentlemen, to draw your own
inferences. There were wounds of old standing on

the body of this man, but this was not the —case
with Cook; there were no wounds on his body, and
in this case the symptoms so nearly represented

those produced by strychnine that its presence was
actually suspected. They had the evidence of the house
surgeon in the same point, and then Mr. Rightson, a
pupil of Liebig. The evidence of this witness was then
read, and it stated that the witness had been employed
by the Crown to make several analyses. He was of
opinion that strychnine ought to have been de-
tected, as he had himself discovered it both in
a pure and impure state. The witness also stated
that he hzd disc:Jeered the poison in the blood of both

cats and dogs that had been killed by the poison, and
he was of opinion that strychnine did not decompose in
the a,.lt of poisoning, or in the entering into the circula-
tion ; and in that opinion, he stated, he was decided.

The witness went on to say it might possibly change
into some substance, but he should still be able to detect it.
The most minute portions of strychnine, in the opinion
of this gentleman, ought to be found. At the conclusion
of the reading of the other portion of this gentleman's
evidence, his lordship said—This gentleman says that
strychnine does not undergo decomposition, and he gave
his evidence in such a manner as to merit tho highest
commendation from the Court ; at the same time it was
important to observe that when a full dose was taken
he c )ul,l not tell if it was finally deposited in the blood

or tissues upon reaching the point at which it kills.
The evidence of Dr. Partridge, a gentleman of tho high-
est ability, went to show that death was produced by an
attack of arachnitis. Tne evidence was read at length by

his lordship, who observed—lt appears to be the opinion of
this gentleman that Cook died in a spasm, but that spasm
did not arise from araehnitis. Dr. Gay was then ex-

amined. This gentleman detailed a case of tetanus
which he had under hi 3 care. It was of a boy, in

whom tetanus was caused by the smashing' or the
second toe. [The evidence was here read.] I do

not think that this ceee bears the slightest analogy
to Cook's case. Dr. M'Donald was next examined.
[The evidence given by this gentleman was then read;
it stated that be had been called to a ease, that of Cathe.
rine Watson, in one of the hospitals in Edinburgh, in
which strychnine had been taken by mistake. In that
case he found the body arched and rigid, but the
patient, however, recovered. Its also attributed
Cook's death to epileptic convulsions with tetanic
complications. He had also, he stated in evidence, seen
two cases of idiopathic t&anus ; and, in answer to pies-
tions put to him, he said he never knew a person dying
of epilepsy retaining his consciousness till death actually
took place. Ho further states that it was within the range
of probability that mental or eensual excitement might
have °angel Cook's deetleepr,that the white spots spoken
to Insight haire ihektasuasel death. lir. Qtated: that bichg4l°.
lerientri istetts of epilepsy. where the patient 'tvas well the
neigtriblyi after an epileptic attack.] The reading of the
evidence having been finished, his lordship remarked—
Yen see, gentlemen of the jury, the length to which this
witness goes—he adopts a new term of disease, epileptic
convulsions with tetanic complications, and, accord-
ing to his opinion, the disease might arise from
mental or sensual excitement, and it will be for you,
gentlemen of the j wry, to say what anmunt of importance
you will attach to this part of the case. Dr. Gay was
next examined. The evidence was read at length ; and,
at its conclusion, his lordship remarked that, whether
the C 9,30 was one either of traumatic or idiopathic tete.
nue, it bore not the least reference to the symptoms of Cook.
Dr. Robinson was then examined with a view of
showing that Cook's death might have arisen from epi-
lepsy ; but before the gentleman could give such an opi-
nion, he stated it would ho necessary to ascertain the
absence of strychnine. Now, the symptoms in Cook's
case did not bear out the inference that he died from
epilepsy, as he retained his consciousness to the last.
Dr. Richardson was the last medical witness examined,
end this gentleman thought that death might have been
caused through angina pectoris, and he stated that in
the cases he had seen they so resembled the symptoms
of strychnia, that had he spoken to this examination,
that, if at the time he had known as much about strych-
nia as be did n ssr, he might have been led to sus-
pect strychnia being present in those instances. No a',
gentlemen, continued his lordship, if you should come to
the conclusion that strychnia was not given to Cook,
of course you will give a verdict in favour of the
prisoner, but if on the other hand you should be of a
contrary opinion, and you think that the deadly p Aeon
was administered by the poisoner to the decaseel, it
will become your bounden duty to return a verdict
accordingly. His lordship having alluded to the evidence
given by Dr. Pemberton said—l have now gone through
the whole of the medical evidence, and think it will be
better if the Court at this point adjourn for a short time.
Upon the re-assembling of the Court his lordship said—
I have now gone through the whole of the medical evi-
dence for the defence, and shall proceed to that portion
of it that relates to the other part of the defence, and
went through the evidence of the police inspector as to
the time the train left leondon for Rugeley, and
also that of the publican, who spoke of Cook belong-
ing to a cricket club, and his hunting, which proved
deceased to have been in good health at that time.
The learned judge then went through the evidence of
the witness Sergeant, and asked them if they thought
that Cook was in bad health. Tie now came to a most im-
portant wanes; ; that was Mr. Jeremiah Smith.
He was most material in determining one
part of the case, and it will be for you to
say what faith can be placed in what he has said. His
lordship then went through the whole of the evidence,
which spoke of the pills, upon the Monday night, and
about the state of the deceased's throat when dressed by
Thirlby. Gentlemen, you have heard the account which
this witness has given of his handwriting to the docu-
ments upon the subject of Walter Palmer's life. He
admitted to you that he received 51., and it is for you to
say whether he did not receive that for having
attested the policy upon Walter Palmer's life ; if you
believe this, you will say what reliance you can place
upon his veracity. You can find that he knew that for
six years Walter Palmer had been a penniless man.
Again, take the transaction he was engaged in with the
life of Bates. He knew the condition of the man,
and yet he tried to effect an insurance for
10,0001. upon his life. Could they doubt
that he got himself made an agent for the purpose of
forwarding that view. It will be for you to say whether
you can believe a man whom you find engaged in such
transactions. His evidence was most important, as it
proved, if believed, that the pills made by Dr. Bamford on
the Monday night could not have been interfered with by
Palmer, as they were taken by Cook before Palmer could
get at them. His lordship then read the letter upon
racing matters which had been put in at the close of the
defence to show that the prisoner and deceased were
connected in business matters. He had now gone through
the whole of the evidence, and it was for them to say
how far it affected that upon the part of the Crown.
The important question was, were the symptoms of the
deceased's death consistent with death by strychnia,
end if so was it changed by the medical evi•
dente given for the defence ? Prisoner's witnesses
agreed that Cook's symptoms were those of strychnine,
although they could not account for its absence
after death. Then with regard to the facts,
there was a difference about the brandy and
water supposed to have been dosed, and the
evidence of Jeremiah Smith respecting the return of
prisoner to Rugeley upon the Monday night, and it was
fur them to say whether that altered the opinion
which the previous evidence would have upon their
minds as to the prisoner's conduct. There was the fact
of his eagerness to get the body disposed of. No answer
had been given to that, nor yet with regard to
the absence of the betting book. and the prisoner
tampering with the coroner, and bribing the post-
boy. Then, above all, there was no explanation
as to what had become of the strychnine purchased
by the prisoner. The cage was before them, and
unless they thought that clear conviction was brought
to their minds as to the prisoner's guilt, it was their
duty to acquit him. They were not to proceed upon suspi.
cion, or even strong suspicion, but there must be strong
conviction intheir winds, and if there WM any reasonable

B-fore the judges left the court they signed a warrant
for the removal of the prisoner to Stafford Gaol, and an
order to the sheriff of that county to carry out the sen•
tence.

DEPARTURE OF PALMER FOR STAFFORD
GAOL.

Contrary to general expectation Palmer was removed
last night from Newgate prison. At twenty minutes to
eight o'clock two cabs drove up to Newgate, one of them
entering the gaol gates, and the other remaining outside
the governor's entrance. In a few minutes after Palmer
was brought put of the governor's door, placed in the
cab, which, after the entrance of Mr. Weatherhead (the
governor) and two officers, drove off as rapidly as pos-
sible, scarcely being noticed. A great crowd, however,
hal collected round the gaol gates, and when, a few
seconds afterwards, the second cab was brought out
empty, they saw that they had been deceived, and im-
mediately ran after the first cab, which, owing to the
crowded state of the top of Newgate-street at the time it
started, they succeeded in overtaling opposite Hatton.
garden. Several hundred persons collected here, and
hooted the prisoner in the most excited manner. The
cab arrived at the Euston station in time for the 8
o'clock train. At the station, also, there was much ex-
cAement, Palmer Laving been recognised at the instant
he arrived on the platform. He was thrust into the
mi idle compartmeut of a first-class carriage, and the
blinds were at once drawn across the windows. Palmer
was dressed in convict's costume (having been divested
of his own clothes within half-an-hour after the verdict
was given), his feat were ironed, and his hands hand-
cuffed, a cloak covering the whole. It was probable
that before 12 o'clock Palmer would be safely lodged in
Staff ,rd gaol.
The prisoner's brother, accompanied by Mr. Jeremiah
Smith, the solicitor, called at Newgate shortly after 7
last evening, but were not allowed to see the prisoner,
being told that ample opportunities for an interview
world be afforded them at Stafford.

The prisoner left Newg•ite with unabated courage, and
with an expression of rehanca on the exertions of his
friends and his solicitor to procure a remission of his
sentence.

A insaiorandum is in preparation, addressed to the
Government, showing strong medicl reasons why the
sentence cannot with justice be executed. Syrhptoms,
it is urged, ought not to weigh. Diversity in tetanus is
as frequent as in any other disease, and in strychnia
poisoning the accession of symptoms is as varied as in
,tny other species of tetanus. The pathological and phy-
siological data upon which the prosecution has taken its
stand will be rebutted.

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tOt" " 77-1

K a ‘-E

The Lord Chief Justice said—Let it ba done. His
lordship then.said he thought it right, before the Court
separated, to express his thanks to the sheriffs for the
admirable arrangements they had made for the preserve-
tion of order and regularity during this important trial.
Everything was done that could be required ; and he
begged to tender his thanks to them and to the City of
London for the pains they had taken to preserve order.
The proceedings of this most extraordinary trial ought
not to be brought to a close without an acknowledgment
of the great politenes3 and assistance rendered by the
uncler-Jheriff,, Messrs. Stone and Rose, to the represen-
tatives of the press. They had, as may well be imagined,
very arduous duties of their own to perform, but still
they did everything that was possible to give the re-
!porters all the facilities that were practicable, and gave
the most prompt attention to any just complaints that
..were made to them. It was observed
_ley those who have
,been- preaant-unautbe ;!tcgalikoik of ms 3
that there was n44osii.--464:
•
_
nience experience-a, taking into oonOira
citement and interest felt in the inquiry as on the pre- •
sent occasion.