Thomas's Massachusetts spy, or, Worcester gazette. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1811-1821, 1821-04-18
BOSTON, APRIL IA.
I1vo Trials f9r Murder !!

| duu JUSTICES jackson ana Wide, came
on the trial of Thomas Charles Bell
for the murder of Pamela Percy
The Indictment charged him with strik-
ing her with his hands, and beating her
with a large stick; inficting such vio-
lent blows upon her body as to cause
her death. After numerous witnesses
had been examined, who proved that
Pamela was girl of ill fame, that she
was in the constant habit of intoxica-
ton, and was abused and beaten by the
defendant, very severely, who kept
her-lt did not clearly appear that she
came by her death from the actual
bruises she received from Bell. The
fact being rendered doubtful by conflict
ing testimony, the prisoner was acquit-
ted. The prosecution was conducted
for Government, by the Hon. D. Davis,
Solicitor-General; Messrs. Dunlap and
Moore were the prisoners counsel.
Next day, before the same Judges,
Martin Manuel was tried for the alleged
murder of Nancy Blackman, on the
l4th of March last, by striking her with
an axe, on the left side of the head, Civ
ing mortal wound of the length of six
inches, the breadth of two inches, and
depth of one inch, of which she died.
1t appeared, by the testimony, that,
on the above night, Mrs. Manuel came
to the chamber of Jackson Neal, the
principal witness, in great agitation, and
said her husband was attempting to muir
der her, that he appeared to be out of
his head, and she was afraid he would
kill Nancy Blackman. Mr.. Neal hear
ing shrek, went into Manuel's cham
her, saw the girl weltering in her blood
by lamp on the table, and heard
low groan. Manuel was in the room,
with an axe in his hand, Asked the
prisoner what was the matter, who said
nothing at all. He ran into the street,
and having obtained assistance, went
for Doctor. Mrs. Manuel had been
afraid to remain alone with her hus-
band; d Miss Blackman came to STAY
with her on that account. The head of
the prisoners bed was towards the en-
try, and the bed on which the girl slept
was on the floor. The prisoner had had
epileptick fits, and had been unwell for
several days before this affair. The
prisoner and his wife went to bed at 9
o'clock-he afterwards got up, asked
for a light, dressed himself, and went
out into the yard-came in again, and
began to strike her with his fists, saying
you are the person | want to find she
showed him back and made her escape
from the room. The testimony agreed
that the homicide had been committed
by Manuel, and the defence was, that
he was under the influence of insanity.
That he had been insane was pretty
fully proved by divers witnesses, and
the opinion Of Doct. Reynolds, who had
been his physician was, that he was in
sane in consequence of repeated at
lacks of epilepsy. After a summing
up of the testimony by the Chief JUS
tice, who put it to the Jurors, whether
under the circumstances there was not
violent presumption that the act was
committed in moment of insanity, they
returned verdict of NOT GUILTY, bq
reason Of insanity. The Attorney-Gen-
eral was for Government. Messrs. Sim
mons and Peabody were counsel for the
defence. ->%~
N.aT.AL.
The Franklin, line-oEbattle ship. we
understand, is ordered for active SER
vice, and will continue under the CON-
mand of Com. Charles Stewart. AS
soon as she is ready for sea, she will
proceed to the Pacifck Ocean, where
she will join the Constellation, Capt.
Ridgeley. Ample protection will thus
be afforded to our commerce in those
seas. She is expected to be absent
for two OF three years.
We understand, says the Democratick
Press, that GOVERNOR King, of Maine,
Judge Greene, of Virginia, and Judge
White, of Tennessee, have been, by the
President, appointed Commissioners I'M
der the Florida Treaty.
o. A Card from the County of Hamp-
den returns thanks for the seAmerican
Statesman" for eight rUseks previous to
the late election
The President, we learn, has fixed
the salary of Ger. Jackson, GOVERNOR
of the Floridas, at $4,000 per annum.
4% XH1C~%MYAnS. NtSneaL