Litchfield enquirer., 1829-04-02
NEw-YoRk, MARCH 21.


 The Court of Oyer and Terminer was opened this morning, for the purpose of passing the sentence of the law upon Rich- ard Johnson and Catharine Cashiere, who stood severally convicted of the crime of Murder. Johnson's demeanor was grave and collected. He was very decently and respectfully attired. It is difficult to de- scribe the expressions of his countenancc. He seemed broken, but not contrite in spir- it; and while anguish of mind was appa- rent, it was not seemingly of that charac- ter which is the beginning of true repen- tance. The woman, however, was just the reverse in her department and appear ance, and as soon us she was brought into court, she appeared considerably distress sed and wept with great apparent emotion. But her tears were dried be fore the court came in and she listened to her sentence with perfect composure, though with due solemnity. She is good looking young woman, with but shade of the olive com- plexion, dark lustrous eyes, and rather an agreeable expression of countenance.
 The sentence of Johnson was pronoun- ced first. On the usual question being put, "If he had any thing to say why sen- tence of death should not be pronounced according to law 2" he addressed the Court as follows:
 If your Honor please--I am asked, what have to say, why judgment of death should not be pronounced upon me ?" To this, I reply, to the judgment of the law, NOTHING. A jury of my country has pronounced me Guilty; and there remains no discretion with the court, but to pro- nounce upon me the sentence of the law. But to the judgment of the world, have much to say. I have been convicted of a crime, the bare recital of which causes hue manity to shudder ;-and it is a duty ! owe to myself, while living, and to my memory when dead, that the circumstances of my offence should be fully explained.
 Before entering into this detail, must take this public opportunity, in the name of that OmEiscient and All Merciful Be- ing, who will hereafter pronounce Ats judgment, alike upon my judges and my self, of disclaiming any knowledge of the transaction of that fatal 2Oth of November. l do not mean to impugn the decision of the jury ;-the movements of the mind were beyond their power to penetrate i; and hard as is my fate, I humbly bow to their verdict.
 1 cannot here enter fully into the details of my intimacy with the unfortunate cause of my own present awful situation. Du- ped and betrayed as have been, into sor- row, despair, and lastly invOlunt0ry crime, ! am unwilling, while living, to indulge in unayailing reproaches.
 In life the deceased was the object of my tenderest affection,-an affection that her own unkind conduct seemed but to in- flame, and that, baffled in its honorable purposes-expelled reason from her throne and in it's absence, led to the commis- sion of the offence for which am now to satisfy the offended community, by my own life. Was conscious of any moral guilt, at this result should not repine. Accus- toned throughout my life to respect the law, have not now to learn that the blood of the murderer is alike propitiatory sac- rifice to the laws of God and man. Con- victed of the legal crime, know my fate. For the moral offence, have to answer to my conscience and my Godi and that in- nate monitor tells me, that l stand before this court and this community legal, but not moral murderer.
 To my counsel, who have so ably, though vainly managed my defence, l ten- der my warmest thanks.
 Of the Court, have but one request to make-that the period allowed me, to prepare for my impending fate, may be, as long as the law will permit.
 His manner was firm and collected: his articulation deliberate and distinct and he delivered himself with studied ora- torical air.
 His Honor Judge Irving then pronoun- ced his sentence as follows:
 Richard Johnson, you have been found guilty by jury of your country. of one of inc greatest crimes human being can per-. petrate. Instigated by evil passions. you have suddenly and with Premeditaied viO- lence taken the life of fellow being. Ur- sula Newman, the victim of your unbridled nassion, was but shortly before the com- mission of this offence, the object of your strong attachment. Yet that attachment not being based upon virtuous affection,