South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-05-23
TRIAL FOR MURDER.
HARRIsoNBURG, (Va.) May 16.

L NAL YIN IN ~ MET
HARR1soNBURe, (Va.) May Is.
The trial of ROBERT D. Hoy, for the
murder of Mrs. SmOot in this village on
the 5th of October last, came on during
the present term of the Circuit Superior
Court,-Jndge SMITH presiding.
After some difficulty, ajury was i'm
pannelled on Monday afternoon, when
the Court adjourned to meet on Tues
day morning at 10 o'clock. After an
examination Of some few of the princi-
pal witnesses summoned on the part of
the Commonwealth, (is having been
considered unnecessary to examine
them ALL the case was opened by the
prosecuting Attorney, Robert Gray,
Esq.-Mr. Smith, Of Page, followed in
the defence Of the prisoner. He was
followed by Messrs. Samuels, Of Wood
stock, and Clark, Of this place, also for
the prisoner. These gentlemen gen.
erously appeared, without any femu.
neration, as we believe, for their servi-
ces, in the behalf of the unfortunate
prisoner :; and never were greater eff.
forts made and scarcely ever was more
ingenuity displayed than the counsel
for the prisoner exhibited during the
course of this trial. Every thing that
able counsel could do, under the cir
cumstances, was done for the prisoner.
Insanity, at the time the crime was per-
petrated, was the only ground of de-
fence assumed.
The argument on the part of the
prosecutor was closed on Wednesday
afternoon and the case submitted to the
jury. Not agreeing on verdict dur
ing the course of the evening, the jury
were adjourned over to Thursday
morning, when they returned into Court
with verdict Of Guilty Of Murder in
the first degree.
The prisoner, during the whole course
of the trial, exhibited careless, har-
dened indifference to all the awful So
lemnities by which he was surround,
ed. He soIemnly processes to have no
knowledge whatever of the crime for
the commission of which his life will
be forfeited. We watched, closely, to
see the effect the rendering of the ver-
dict would have upon him, but to our
establishment, none was perceptible; he
heard it without the slightest change OF
countenance or movement of a muscle.
We trust, however, before all Of this
tragic occurrence is concluded, signs of
penitence, to which the prisoner has
been altogether Indifferent since the fa-
tai deed, will manifest themselves, and
when he is satisfied that every other
hope, must fail, he will 'lay hold on
the hope set before him in the gospel"
Before we close this short article, we
must record this as another instance of
the awful effects Of the use of ardent
spirits il was undoubtedly, as appear
ed in evidence on the trial, an immod.
crate use of this, even on the morning
of the day the deed was committed, that
prepared him for its too successful ex.
ecution. .e.
The Court is still in session, and the
sentence OF the prisoner has not, as yet,
been pronounced.-Register.
A young man by the name Of JAMES
BACK, about "a years of age, rather
prepossessng in his appearance, and a
former resident of this County, was ar
raigned at the bar Of our Court, on
Thursday morning last, on the charge
of stealing two horses, for which he had
been some time before committed.
Being put upon his trial, he plead gull
~ TO the charge, and threw himselfup'
on the clemency of the jury, who rem
dered verdict for five years imprison-
ment in the Penitentiary-the shortest
period provided by the law for such an
offence. The whole time occupied in
this trial, did not exceed forty minutes.
ID. 0x.sg
FrRE.-An extensive FIRE took place at
Philadelphia, on 18th inst. in Southwark.
1t commenced in boat builders shop,
occupied by Mr.. Hill, and extended to
several of the adjoining buildings which
were entirely consumed. Loss between
$4,000 and $4,000. Insurance $4,000.