Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-07-04

'iiieJ 10 oleriuwing wtth spectators tho whole day
and throng most OF the time assembled around
the City Hail. and xious to catch any Information OF
the progress or complexion of the proceedings. The
prisoner had long been declining IN health and had be-
come So i'll ut the rheumatism, AMI feeble both in body
aud mind, from his suierngs, that lie could not
without assistance not even 70 lift up his fright hand
when told to do So. on bis arragnment the indct-
rnent III this court, Tuesday lie both then and
Yesterday brongLt into court chair by four men,
and c and the chair set into the prisoners box He
held his head Iown leaned il against the box during
the whole trial and seemed very i'll; and during the
charge of the Judge 10 the jury lac tainted and
revived Tor some tmc when ttc Judge proceeded to I'm
ish his charge.
The charge of murder, in horrible manner seemed
clearly made on. against him; bat the defence set up to
excuse the deed, aeYGu e1nent Qf mind, such
weakness AMI alteration OF intellect rendered him
incapable lat the time ofdiscrinuaiion sound judg-
oent, which is necessary offender constu the
crime of murder. The TESTIMONY, this point,
clear and distinct, that although il might by many
be thought fully establish his insanity; vet such
at least, TO leave it extremely d1ubtjut whether he
was in possession of his right mind and reasoning facul
ccs II was IN extraordinary ami remarkably deli
cate and difficult case, 10 the aoacuso TO be drawn
from the peculiar circumstances; and there was evi.
dentiy no middle course (anl the J, considered
IT. between conv;cng of murder, saving not guilt,
nothing to justly verdict of man Slaughter.
ego
MURDER OF MIR. NJ i4FlN
WAsu'SGYoS, June 3o---As our city possessed nc
life than Thomas Martin, whose death was announced
last, and whose mortal remains were YESTERDAY
attended TO the grave BY great copconrse of Indignant
and sorrowig townSmen, and with military and
&c honors of The particulars of his icai fate will
not be unacceptable 10 readers.
At the distance of sonctLng than a mile north
Of the General Post Office bur big, aud without the
bounds Of the city, rcside. person by the name Of
Devaughn, who cultivated field or two there Into
these fields last Sunday trayed several boys from the
city, in search of backbcmies, arnour whom was a
cd nv Do
vaughn, roughly handled, and the hat and basket
taken from young Martin, it'll the dcCla that they
should be detained until money was paid for their
redemption. MIR. Martin sent to the man
Monday asking him to lei the hat aud basket he re-
turned; OF which notice taken he not being at
hsrne at the time On "wednesday evening Mr. and
Mrs. Martin walked cheerfuy together for exercise
and thought they wsuiI walk far as Devatghn's
place and persuade him 10 give mp the property he lad
seized With this view they went 10 The house, within
the enclosure and very cYiiy requested he would
turn these articles-They rndely answered with
brutal language, and Mr.. MS exposuating with
the his sharp and furious dogs were set upon the
unofeniing couple. MIR. and Mrs. NJ. were enlea-
vourng by fight 10 escape thcsl, when one Of the dogs
having seized Air. Ms coat, hc had turned round dc
fend himself against ha, and at that received
y load of su%s in his bTea, from mpslle deliberately
aimed and fired AZ him by Devaurhn. He turned TO
his wife, who bad by this time reached the fence ex-
claiming, 81 am dead mani" and taking her hand,
ling her aileotonate!y 'Eare ell!o he soon breath
81 his last. The poor afflicted widow made the best of
her way hono herself the bearer distressing in
'eiIigence. II rot till nearly 10 O'Clock that the
news was known when several neighbors rode ont to
tic place. The miscr6ant, who knew his murdered
victim Law but hundi ed PAGES from hin, had cooly
uniressed FOR bed; but, hearing the tramp of horses
jumped bis fence into the lane, taking his nusket
with bn which he had the audacity to fire the par
~ they up the lane, fortunately without effect
and then made bis escape amidst the gloom of the night
and under cover of the adjoining thic11ets. His mus
et being loaded with sugs, and every circumstance
OF the case, establish the necu1di on the part of
the hardened viilainiie had fred The fatal
SHOT, than he loaded again, if determined douby
do the horrid deed, already consummated.
WAsHISGToN, July t---Devaughn. the murderer OF
Mr.. Martin aPprcl,ended yesterday afternoon in
She woods his residence, from whence ii appears
that he had been but short distance ne first es-
capped on Wednesday evening. After undergoing an
examination before tie Mayor, he was committed TO
Jail.