The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1824-03-25

1ria! Of Johnson, f6e Murderer trial
John johnson, for the murder OF James Muir.
rsy, commenced on Monday last In New
York. The indictment changed him with the
murder Of James Murray, James Mop,y,
Timothy Mofey, and Cyfus Clark. The
prisoner pleaded nor gully. The Uisl con.
tinued uuiiI past two o'clock, on Wednesdsy
morning : when the Jury, after an absence OF
about ten minutes, returned the verdict Of
oUILTY.-Tbe detsiis OF the ,murde, and de.
lection have before been published. Ths
prisonsr wept frequeniy during tho proceed.
ings. and q, one time was so much overcome
thst he fell On his knees, end was for some
time apparently occupied in prayer; wheo he
arose no appeared more composed. Jodge
EpwARps presided at tho trial. Mr.. Max.
WELL, ibe District Aup'ney, conducted the
prosscu,i ion.-. Messrs. GRAHAM aud PRIcz,
were Counsel for the prisoner.
On Thutsdsy, the sentence o! the Law va.
pronounced by His Honor Judge Edwards.
upon tho prisoner in nearly the following
words: f.a
John Johnson-You have been convicted.
BY jury OF your county, OF the murder 1T
James Murray. The circumstances attend.
ing this murder are Of an extraordinary, and
IN this. county, unpr eceden,ed character.
Tbs. deceased was young man, country.
msc OF your own, Who having accumulated
some property, uss desitous Of Joining sone
friends a., tho south. You inveiglcd him to
your honss, under protegt Of ability to serve
him, snd after he had committed his person
TO your house---his properly to yous pro,sc.
ton, you, whiis sleeping in your room, in
your bed, deprived him 6rh Of his property,
and then of his life. This is the outline Of
your etivne.I Yoaf case ha, been calmly in
vssligs,ed aad q jury. whose verdic, is sp-
proved BY eyery member of this court, pro-
nounced you guilty; isnd that verdict, 1t is
not too much TO say, 10 unanimously approv-
ed by sn enlightened community.
You stand before the audience s3d country
an instances OF morsl depravity almost unex-
smpled.-I mention this circumstsnce not 10
harrow up your feelings, bot TO ss,sfy the
community, II sDy ye, remain 10 be satisfied,
Of tho justice ofthe sentence 10 be psssed.
cannot flsiler you vi,h aoy hops Of mer.
cy-Your s,,us;ion is.sn awful one on the
scenes around you your eyes mos, soon close
forever. You ste soou, 10 pas. from tho pre-.
sencs Of you' fellow beings, to that of your
God. Yau will be scnt thers by the voice OF
''ouua' w y'u' III GU se"o" oo'6s--you
will appear before Him with hands stsined
with blood, which HE mercy slcne csn wssh
: out. - P .s ~,
Having made .he;e observations in the
hope OF awakening you 10 q realizing sense Of
your condition, / now proceed to psss the
senteocs oil The Coun, which is, ihs, you be
taken to the prison from whence you csms,
snd thence, on Friday, tie SECOND day Of Nia,ii
nert, to fhe place OF execution, there, between
the hours Of 10 spd 2 o'clock, 10 DO hung by
the neck until you arc dead, sod yovr body
10 be then delivered TO tho surgeons for dis
sec,ion--.snd Uaoy 'he God Of heaven have
metcy on your soul !
Da ing this sentence, not . muscle Of tho
prisoners face moved, except as he occasion.
ally muueted sonnething; and st il, close. he
looked round on ,he audience with Q harden.
ed unconceip. The swfui stiffness of tho
Court formed striking contrast with the de.
nsaaot ot the pThonsr.
NuuNo,A M,r.h 90