The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-30 00:00:00

THE CONVICT DOVE.

We understand that Mr. Baron Bramwell has fulfilled
his promise to the wretched criminal, that the recommen-
dation of the jury should be forwarded to the proper quar-
ter. His lordship has communicated the expression of
sympathy which the jury appended to their verdict, to the
Home-office; but we believe we are right in stating that
the learned judge did not express to the Secretary of State
his concurrence in the recommendation, and that, on the
contrary, he considered and still considers that the convic-
tion was right—that the verdict of " Guilty" was fully
justified by the evidence. It has been a matter of very
earnest inquiry as to how the verdict and recommendation
of the jury were arrived at. We believe we can solve the
problem. It is said, and we think the rumour may be re-
lied upon, that when the jury retired on Saturday evening
it was proposed by one or more of them, that they should
engage in prayer to God to direct them to a righteous con-
clusion. The rest of the jury to whom the suggestion was
made, assented. The jury did engage in prayer, after
which they proceeded to deliberate as to what, should be
their verdict. Ten of them were prepared to return an
unqualified verdict of "guilty," but two hesitated, which
led to a discussion whether the evidence would justify
them in returning a verdict of acquittal on the ground of
insanity. The majority could not accede to such a sugges-
tion, and eventually a compromise was effected, the mi-
nority admitting that the prisoner ought to be found
guilty, and the majority consenting to accompany that
verdict with a recommendation to mercy, "on the
ground of defective intellect." We hear that when
the wretched man was removed to the condemned cell
on Saturday night, he became very sensibly affected
He evincid considerable excitement and anxiety of
mind, which continued, more or less, during the night
Of course he had, and has still, one or more persons in con-
stant attendance upon him. On Sunday, Dove was visited
by one of the trudges under his father's will. This gen-•
tieman entered into conversation with the convict, condol-
ing with him with respect to the awful fate that awaited
him, and endeavouring to arouse him to a sense of the im-
portance of his throwing himself upon the pity and for-
giveness of an offended but merciful God. Dove was
recommended to prepare himself for the worst, when he
replied, it is said, " Well, if it is to be so, it will be for
ay own good and the glory of God." On Wednesday. the
unhappy man was visited by the Rev. W. M. Punshon,
from Leeds, who had been specially requested to see him.
Hr. Punshon was accompanied by the Rev. J. Hartley, of
York, who has ministered regularly to the spiritual wants
of the convict ever since his commitinent to York Castle,
in March last. We understand that the rev.' gentlemen
succeeded in making an impression upon Dove's mind,
which had probably been somewhat prepared for it by his
having recently taken to reading books suggestive of
thoughts adapted to a man placed in his fearful position.
The effect produced upon his mind seems, however, to have
quicklypassed away, as he relapsed into his previous state
of apparently callous indifference. It has been stated that
the execution, if the recommendation of the jury be not
attended to, will take place on Saturday, the 2nd of
August. This, however, is not the fact. The rule is, that
any culprit left for execution shall not be hanged until
two Sundays have elapsed after the judges of assize leave
the city; and they did not take their departure on the pre-
q:nt occasion until the early part of the week. Conse-
quently the execution would not tab place till the `9th of
August.—Leeds Mercury.

It has been stated by the York correspondent of the
Leeds papers that "Ten of the jury were prepared to
return an unqualified verdict of guilty,' but two hesi-
tated, which led to a discussion whether the evidence
would justify them in returning a verdict of acquittal or,
the ground of insanity. The majority could not accede
to such a suggestion, and eventually a compromise was
effected, the minority admitting that the prisoner ought
to be found guilty, and the majority consenting to ac-
company that verdict with a recommendation to mercy,
on the ground of defective intellect.'"
We have the authority of t ,vo of the jurors, including
the foreman, for positively contradicting this statement,
and for saying that the jury were as unanimous in re-
gard to the second part of their verdict, recommending
the prisoner to mercy "on the ground of defective
intellect," as they were on the first pronouncing him
guilty of the murder. The words of the verdict were
penned by the foreman himself, and they received
the entire and unqualified assent of every one of
the jurors. We may add that memorials to the
Crown are in course of preparation, and will shortly be
presented, to spare the life of Wm. Dove ; and they will
be from such parties, and accompanied by such new evi-
dence, that we hope they will be effectual. We know
nothing whatever of the mind of the Home Secretary on
the subject, and therefore we can express no hope be-
yond that which the facts and the evidence produce upon
our own minds. But we think it our duty to repeat our
deliberate and solemn opinion that Wm. dove ought not
to be Langed.—Leeds Mercury.
The cost of the trial, as may be supposed, has been
very great. For the prosecution the counsel's fees would
exceed 300 gunineas. Mr. Ovezend had 100 guineas,
with refreshers of 10 Er uineav per day, and 35 guineas on
the day of reply. Air. Hardy had 70 guineas, with re-
freshers, and Mr. Bayley 45 guineas. The enstof getting '
up the case and of witnesses was about 8661.164., mak-
ing a total of 1,176/. 16s. For the defence the counsel's
fees were 300 guineas, Mr. Bliss receiving 70 guineas,
exclusive of refreshers and consultation fees. Sergeant
Wilkins had 50 guineas, with refreshers, and Mr. Hall
40 guineas. The other expenses will not be less than
1,0001., making a total of upwards of 1,3001., or a grand
total of the cost of the trial of 2,4761. 16s. This is ex-
clusive of the cost of the inquiry before the coroner.

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