The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-05-01 00:00:00

SCOTCH.CIRCUIT INTELLIGENCE. .

A BERnECN.—Alexander Lawrence, accused of
hamesuckeu, with the intention of committing a rape
on the wife of Alexander Craib, square-w•right in
Keith, on the 4th of March last, was put to the
bar.

The first witness for the Crown was Craib, the
husband, who said, that on that morning he set out
on a journey from home; but, after proceeding only
three miles, strange thoughts seized him, and he
staid in a wood until seven in the evening. He then
returned home, with a view to discover if there was
any thing improper between the Prisoner and his
wife ; and, therefore, when he returned, he called his
two journeymen and another person, to be on the
Match ; but his wife knew nothing
,of his return.
Abopt ten o'clock they heard a person break the
shop door open, and go to the kitchen, where Mrs.
Craib slept.—Soon after this, she screamed, and call-
ed out " Murder'," Witness ran to her assistance,
and distinctly saw the Prisoner making his escape.
Mrs. Craib was greatly agitated, and there were
marks of violence on her neck. Neither the witness,
nor any of the three men who were with him) could
catch the Prisoner.

The other three men were then examined, and said
they had been watching with. Craib on the 4th of
March, and they heard some person enter the heuse.
They also heard Mrs. Craib screaming; but none of
them saw the Prisoner, nor did they hear him go out
of the house.

Mrs. Craib confirmed the statement of her hus-
band. Swore positively that she knew the Prisoner,
and that she was very ill for some days, in conse-
quence of the wound on her neck.
Three witnesses for the Prisoner gave evidence to
the effect of establishing an alibi.
Mr. BOSWELL addressed the Jury on the part of
the Crown, and pointed out the enormity of the•
crime of hamesucken, committed in such circum-
stances as the present. But he said, that certain con-
siderations induced him to restrict the libel to an ar-
bitrary punishment. Ile pleaded, that the evidence
for the prosecution was quite insurmountable, as it
rested not only on the direct testimony of Craib and
his wife, against the Prisoner, but also on the corro-
borating circumstances mentioned by the other wit-
nesses for the prosecution, and the clear proof of
violence done to Mrs. Craib; and he added, that
the plea of alibi had not been made out.

LumsnrN, for the Prisoner, stated, that the
present was a very remarkable case. The Prisoner,
a youth of 20 years of age, and of excellent charac-
ter, had been brought to the bar, in consequence of
a base and diabolical conspiracy. The object of this
conspiracy was to convict him of. a crime, which
might have brought him to the hands of the execu-
tioner. Ile then observed, that the charge, of rape,
or an attempt to commit this offence, is just the
charge most lit for such false accusers, as it is that
against which it is most difficult for an innocent man
to defend himself; and he mentioned several cases, in
which such false accusations had been brought, and
shewcdto w narrowly the prisoners escaped, utthoirgb
they%ere innocent. He then maintained that the
plea of alibi had been fully established, by the ex-
culpatory, nittiesses, who were far more entitled to
credit than Craib and his wife.

Lord Git.rtr, bummed up the evidence with great
ability.. !Teobserved, that.fhe case was not without
MM difficulty, as the evidence of Craib and hit
wife was very' positive ; and this evidepci wee sower
what corroborated, by the persons who watched along
with Craib ; and,it was peOtiyely swore .that the wo-
men hadjeceived some violence. But hit jeordship
remarked, that there appeared something. very sus.
piejetikip the manner in 'which Craib and' his wife
had told ilwir story. That Ciaib • hid been jealous
of his wife, and.as the Prisoner was the object of.
his jealousy, it was not. surprising. that' he should.
wish to cletect.him, or to be revenged on him; but
it Wilt not so easy.to understand how the wife should'
have been prevailed upon to enter into the plot. The
fact was sworn to, that some person had entered the
house; hut there was only the evidence of Craib and
his wife that the Prisoner Was the person, and the,
- plea of alibi, set up for the Prisoner, certainly was
entitled to great attention, as it was not here attended
with those circumstances of suspicion which usually
accompanylt.
The Jury returned a verdict, unanimously finding
the Prisoner Not GoOts.