Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-04-05
TRIAL,
OF SINGLETON EsAE.E MERGER.
FOR THE MURDER OF
MahIOu Hutchinson Hersarsoe,.

expectation, jury was empanneled without tbs
slightest difficulty only six Jurors BEING objected
To- Mr. Carpenter, Prosecuting Attorney fol
gloucester County, then stated the facts upor
Which the prosecution would RELY for verdict o
guilty against the prisoner; and called several
witnesses who proved that Mercer shot Heberton
with SIX ~barrolled revolving pistol whilst the
latter was in carriage, board Ferry boat, al
Camden, and that he died in short time thereaf-
ter. Several medical men also testified that they
had examined the wound of the pistol ball, and
that it produced Heberton's death.
Having established this much, the prosecution
rested. Peter A. Browne, ESQ. OF Philadelphia,
then opened for the defence, and made long ad
dress, in which he alluded first to the youth OF
Mercer, the weakness Of his frame, his nervous
temperament, and TO the effect which repeated at
tac&s of the Group had upon both his mind and
body up to the time he was thirteen years old
His father is retired mechanic of Phiadel-
phia. He has four sisters, three of whom are
single. Sarah was represenledas as mere child,
modest and of yielding disposition, having new
er attended theatre or ball, and of The mos;
unexceplionable character, until short lime
since. Her associates were mostly with cml-
dren like herself Heberon was an abandoned
liberIne, bis place of business brolhel, and
encountered him while she was passing thro'
he street with friend TO purchase some grapes
for sick relation. He had followed them from
street 10 slleei, and she misiook him for Mr..
Bastido, whom she had seen at the house of
her broiher-in-law Heberlon took advantage
oi her mistake, and on meeting her again in The
street, few days after-he having sough. the
meeting, which with her was purely accidental
spoke to her, and Told her he would see her
again. All this while he allowed her tc sup
pose that his name was Basiido, and uadcr that
name he cxacied a promise from her 10 meet
him again. AT the third interview he declared
himself violently in love with her, and solicited
an introduction 10 her family She named
seteral friends who would introduce him; hui
ne knew none of lhem He pretended, how
spoke, and said he would call upon her family
with him. He never did so, however Up 10
his time his treatment Of her had been gentle
manly and becoming.
Soon afterwards, however, while walking
with her, he complained Of The cold: he led her
into Ellzabeih-sireel. where she had never been
bef1e, and proposed 10 call at the house of
Mrs. Menore. She declined, but he assared
her he was well acquainted there, al lhc same
lime ringing The bell The serYant came 10
The door, and he urged her in. They entered
4 room where there was FIRE She immedi-
ately became alarmed and refused 10 ren1ain1
but Heherion locked the door, put The KEY in his
pocket. and, upon her screaming for assisance,N
drew pistol and threatened her life if she did
not yield 10 his desires. LII this way he forced
her, though screaming and struggling, irio COM
p!iance with his wishes. This, the Counsel
said, would be fully proved by Miss Mercer
herself, by persons 10 whom she TOLD The story,
and by women who heard her screams.
AfIer this Heberton eudeayored 10 persuade
her to silence, promised TO marry her and GO 10
New Orleans, declared that he could salisfac-
orily refuie any story she might tell her pa
-enis TO his disadvantage. threatened if she ex-
posed him 10 prove that She invited him TO 90 !
with her, and in various ways endeaYored TO
procure her silence. During all this lime he |
was blasting among his companions of his soc-
'essful Villainy, and on one orcasion in an oys-
er cellar look a pistol from his pocket saying
hat thai was for her brother, if ne attempted to
interfere. Being asked what he would do
hould any one thus wrong Ms sister, he de-
Jared that he would blow his brains out like
dog
The day on which Miss Mercer left her home
he spent with her married sister servant
old her thai her faiher was very angry with
er for something he had learned, aud so fright.
ned her that she ran away 10 house where
he had mel Heberlon. Her brother next day
net Heberlon, and took him 10 Mr. Mercer's
ouse, where an angry interview took place
Toung Mercer used his best cndeay0rs to find
is sister. bat iiehertoa denied all knowledge
( her. The woman with whom she was stay
lg however informed her parents that she was
here, and she vas al once sent for aud brought
ONE. She Told the whole story 10 her nloil;er
nd The next dav TO her brother, who, from the