Litchfield enquirer., 1843-04-13

| TEE MERCER CAsE-The following notice
of the trial of Mercer, is taken from the
Tribune of the S1st ult.
The trial of Mercer for the murder of He
berton. at Woodbury., n. j., is fairly under
way, and the grounds Of defence were very
fully laid down by the counsel who opened
in behalf of the prisoner. The prosecution
rested after proving the fact of killing. Mr..
! Browne, ia opening the defence, made a
long address, in which he alluded first to the
youth of Mercer, the weakness of his frame,
his nervous temperament, and to the effect
| which an early disease has had upon his
mind and body. His father is a retired me-
chanic of Philadelphia. He has four sis
| tiers, three of whom are single. Sarah was
represented as mere child, modest and of
a yielding disposition, having never atteCd.
ed theatre or a ball, and of the most unex-
ceptionable character, until short time
since. Her associations were mostly with
children like herself. Heberton was an
abandoned libertine, his place Of business, a
brothel, and his only pursuit, seduction
Miss Mercer first encountered him while he
was passing through the street with friend
to purchase some grapes for sick relation.
He had followed them from street to street,
and she mistook him for Mr.. Bastido,
whom she had seen at the house Of her
brother-in-law. Heberton took advantage
of her mistake, and on meeting her in the
street, few days afler-he having sought
the meeting, which with her was purely
accidental spoke to her and told her he
would see her again. All this while he al
lowed her TO suppose that his name was
Bastido, and under that name he exacted a
han IN
the third interview he declared himself VIC.
lently in love with her, and solicited an in
PRODUCTION to her family. She named seve-
raj friends who would introduce him, but he
knew none of them. He pretended howev-
err, to know a Mr.. Dinkler, of whom she
spoke, and said he would call upon her ia
mily with him. He never did so, however.
Up to this time his treatment OF her was
gentlemanly and becoming.
Soon afterwards, however. while walking
with her, he complained of the cold he led
her into Elizabeth street, where she had ne
yer been before, and proposed to call at the
house of Mrs. Mettore. She declined, but
he assured her that he was well acquainted
there, and at the same time ringing the bell.
The servant came to the door and he urged
her in. They entered room where there
was fire. She Immediately became alarm
ed and refused to remain; but Heberton
locked the door, put the key in his pocket,
and upon her screaming for assistance,
drew a pistol, and threatened her life If she
did not yield, though screaming and strug-
Cling, into compliance with his wishes.--
This, the counsel said, would be fully prev.
ed by Miss Mercer herself, by persons to
whom she told the story, and by women who
heard her screams.
After this Heberton endeavored to per-
suade her into silence, promised 10 marry her
and to 60 to New Orleans, and declared that
he would satisfactorily refute any story she
might tell her parents to his disadvantage,
threatened if she exposed him. to prove that
she invited him to 60 with her, and in vari-
Gus ways endeavored to procure her silence.
During all this time he was Boosting among
his friends of his successful villainy. and on
one occasion IN an oyster cellar took a pis-
tol from his pocket. saying that that was for
her brother if he attempted to interfere
Being asked what he would do should any
one thus wrong his sister. he declared that
he would blow his brains out like a dog
The day on which Miss Mercer left her
home she spent with her married sister. A
servant told her that her father was very
angry with her for something he had learn
ed, and so frightened her that she ran away
Her brother next day met Heberton. and
took him to MERGERS house, where an angry
interview took place. Young Mercer used
his best endeavors to find his sister, but He
berton denied all knowledge Of her. The
woman with whom she was staying, howev-
er, informed her parents that she was there,
and she was at once sent for and brought
home She told the whole story to her mo-
Their, and the next day to her brother, who,
from the moment he heard it seemed hope
lessly mad. He raved and assailed every
one he met, and was only prevented from
killing his sister by those around him. The
interview at the Alderman's Office rendered
him still farther affected; and every act he
performed seemed evidence Of insanity
Mr.. Browne proceeded at great length to
show that the state of MERGERS mind at the
time of committing the deed for which he is
on trial. was such as TO absolve him from all
legal responsibility for the deed. He made
a very long, ingenious and elaborate argu-
ment, principally upon this point Testi-
mopy of course will be submitted to prove
the several points on which reliance is pla-
ced. We shall publish whatever of it is
necessary to an understanding of the matter
and at the same time is suitable for our CO.
lumns.
THE STUDENT CASE.
SAVAGE ACQUITTED.
In the case of George F. Savage, prosecu-
ted under the disfrGnchising lao of the last
legislature, for voting in New-Haven at
Town Meeting last fall. of which we gave