Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-15
TErona The Eastern ,4,n,, 6 Z

Iran the Eastern ,4rgus.I
lNTE1frERANcEASD AIURDER.-A melancholy scpoe
took place IN the shape of judicial trial at York in
the county OF DIRK, on Friday last before the Su
preme Court, all the Justices being present. The nc
cused was james Murphy, who was indicted for the
murder OF MS wife, Lucy Murphy. at Kcnuebunk Port
IN November last In addition to the barbarty of his
crirne the trial presented peculiar features of mcla
choy and distress in the per ~ appearing as wines
Ses against him. Among them were his own son and
daughter the one aged about II years. and the other
tho latter, about 49, The heart could not hnt revol,
at the disclosures made by these two witnesses res
pectlpg the practices uud crimes fanlarzed to them
by their accused father and deceased mother whose
duty 1t was-whose pleasure doubtless would have
been, out for the Intoxicating bow-to irnplant and
nurture IN their offspring by preceDt and eXaple
the seeds Of virtue and Usefulness to society.
but horrid as these examples were in their own ap-
Pearanoes-the mind could not but fscl still more an
guisb' when seeing their dreadful effects upon the
earts fcengs and character Of the children them
iseiYGs' 10 see them arrayed in nyowed hostility to
theit only living parent and obviously earnest to effect
lis condemnation, while his life was at stake and de-
pendant on their esnony;to sec the father in such
a situation, gazing wshfully upon his own offspring
watching IN bEeatbIess anxiety every word from
their lps-alternatcly hoping for and despairnr eff
their kindness aud mercy, what could rot but
affect very seDsbly and sorrowGlllly the heart of
Ire spectator, however strongly persuaded Of the
guilt ofthe accused
The testimony established very clearly That Nurnlv
v
she fell intoxicated the floor, then bnilt M fire
upon her, which he was in the act of blowing with
heows, when The neighbors, alarmed by some of his
children, rushed in and rescued her. The wreclcd
woman was, however, SO much burnt that after lin
geTlng III an almost unconscious state for II DAYS she
died of mortifcation induced by the burns. This
wretched couple had eleven children, some of whom
are married.
The examination of Tire witnesses and arguments of counsel
took the whole day, and at O'Clock IN the evening the w
retired for debeaton, the evidence having fully and per-
49, T,,iyn
remarks having been made by the Chief Justice particularly AS
10 the law applicable the case, and the arnenabe cose-
queuce Of ntempesnce fDm which this transaction noes
lionay originated. The jury after absence of ueafy two
HOURS rerneu into court, and pronounced verdict Of GUILTY
9 The crime If Murder.
A,the opening the Saturday morning. the prisoner
was brought in and having been asked If he had any thing to
oe why the sentence Of the law should be passed re.
pe that he never had any intention Of taking The life his
we The same inquiry made Of the counsel for the p-
seeT VINO replied they had carefully examined the iodict-
ucn 900 her papers and discovered iIeguarity: where
UPON me Chief Jnstice after solemn adnonion, pronounced
tue awful sentence Of DEATH.
Inc iiH'c ofe1ecu,ion will be fixed By the Executive.