Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-03-08
TRIAL OF MRS. CHAPMAN.

J. vi NSs VIA ANs
The Philad. Chronicle gives the fol-
lowing descriptio Of the Prisoners, as
they appeared in Court, previous to the
application for separate trials, having been
granted.
About half past A. M the prisoners
were brought in. Mrs. Chapman came
first, leaning on the arm of High Con-
stable Blaney. Her appearance exhibi-
ted but little physical suffering, though
an occasional twitching of the lip, and a
slight convulsive movement Of the nos
trils betrayed considerable mental dis
tress. In person she is tall and mascu-
line, her features are regular, and the
forehead and nose is well shaped and
pleasing, but the lower part of the face is
remarkably heavy. Her mouth, has that
swelling, yet compressed appearance,
which denotes sternness and energy land
this gives to her whole countenanCe,
when in repose, an expression from which
| infer, that she possesses equal decision
in action, and forttude in suffering
Her eyes are light, and her hair auburn.
She was dressed in riding habit Of dark
cinnamon colored cloth, trimmed with
black braid and frogs. She also wore a
close cap, and dark silk hood or calash
She had fan which she used continual
ly. Though evidently affected by her
melancholy situation, her general de-
meanor was firm and becoming.
Nina followed, conducted by the sher-
/ if. His height is about five feet five in
ches, shape slender and genteel. He
walks erect, with an easy gentlemanly
air. His complexion is swarthy, and
owing probably to his long confne-
ment, salow and cadaverous. He has
dark and brilliant eyes, deep set, and o.
vershadowed by thick black eyebrows
His hair is black and bushy; he wears it
brushed back from his forehead and tenn
pies. He has neither whiskers nor mus
tachios. The only peculiarly can re-
mark in his face is the disproportionate
breadth of the upper and lower parts, the
former being rather broad, and the lat
ter more than usually narrow. The chin
is short and the lips thick. The princi-
pal characteristics of his face are liveli-
ness and good humor. There is certain
ly nothing in his appearance which would
indicate either an accomplished swim
dler, or malignant ruffian, both of which
charges has been laid against him, and
with strong presumption oftruth. To me
he looks like West Indian, with nc
more personal qualities to attract atten-
ton than any other man who has an air
of gentiity, which Nina certainly has
He was neatly dressed in black frock
coat and pantaIoons, and high silk stock
the breast of his shirt was richly wrought
in tambour, and he wore gold button.
His behaviour was respectful, but entire
ly free from any symptom of fear. He
appeared quite Indifferent to the proceed
ings, and looked around him with evident
composure, smiling and nodding when he
recognized an acquaintance.
NINA AND WIFE.-The evidence on
both sides, in the case of Mrs. Chapman,
closed at Doyleston, Penn. on Friday,
of last k.-Ailer the pleas, Judge
Fox charged the jury, on the facts and
law in the case, fully and explicitly
leaning decidedly against the prisoner.
He laid much stress on the evidence OF
Drs. Hopkinson and Mitchell. The Ju-
ry, after an absence oftwo hours, return
ed verdict of acquit.al. The prisoner
was Immediately released, and returned
to her former residence.
Her department was calm at the issue,
but during the trial she occasionally man.
ifested strong emotion. Her children
were all present during the trial, and one,
aged Is, was witness.
A report of the evidence, has not yet
been given in the papers. The trial OF
Nina is postponed till April. His de-
meanor is that of Indifference.