Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-11

was there the slightest physiognomical trait Of a
murderer, AGO ording to the common notions on
the subject. They wero all those vulgar kind of
looking men, In appearance, of which We sec hun
dreds every day, without being struck with any
indication in them of good OWL disposition
Tho verdict wss that John Bishop Thomas
Williams, and James May were scvcraily guilty of
murder. The verdict was received in Court with
becoming silence, but in moment il was conveyed
to the immense multitude asso mbled outside, who
evinccd their satisfaction the result by loud and
cor tinued cheering and clappng of hands. TO such
an extent was this expression of the popular feeling
carried, that the windows ofthc Court were obliged
to be closed, order that the voice of the Recorder
might be heard in passing sentence.
The prisoners were then sevcrally called upon to
say why sentence of death and execution should
not be pronounced upon them, but none of them
awaited themselves oft this opportunity of saying any
thing.
The Recorder then proceeded TO pass the awful
sentence upon them; but it was for some moments
again interrupted by tho renewed shouts of tho
Populace from without. Silence having been re-
stored, the Learned Judge proceeded. lie began
by culogzing the patient and dilIgent attention
bestowed on their case by the jury, whose verdict
was just recorded; and of that jury he might state
what Inc often had occasion to remark of iuries in
that box that nothing but the most satisfactory
evidence and Il conviction of the solemn oblipati
on they owed to their Maker and to their country
could induce them to pronounce a verdict which
was to consign some of their fellow men to a dis
graceful death. He fully concur red in the verdict
they had pronounced, which was support by the
most conclusive cvidcn o..
Lord. '
mo Learned Recorder went on, addressing him
sell to the prisoners, Observed that he would not
encroaoh by any heightened remarks on the very
short time that was to intervene between their SEN
fence and their appearance in the presence of their
creator. After pointing out to them the spiritual
| assistance which could be afforded to them i'm pri
son, the Learned Judge concluded by passing upon
each oil them the sentence of the law, which was
mat each of them be hanged on Monday morning,
and their bodies DO delivered over for dis. ecton
| and anatomisation.
| The prisoners heard tho senten &C as thev hoard
the verdict without any visible alteration i'm their
manner. They stood at the bar as if expecting
that something more would be added When or.
dered TO be removed, May raised his voice. and in
firm tone, said, 81 a murdered man. Gentle
men, and that man (pointng to Bishop knows it ~
Inc prisoner Williams said, awe are all murdered
men," He then addressed himself to one or two
OF tho witnesses at the side bar, and said that be-
fore three months they would suffer for the false
evidence they had given against him.
BISHOP mode no observation, but retired from
the bar even moro absorbed by his awful situation
IMAM he had appeared before. The prisoners were
then removed and in a short time after the crowd
outside the Court dispcrsed:-Iines