Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-04-12
TRIAL,
OF SINGLETON HALL MERGER,
Mahlon Hutchinson Hcberton.
FOR THE MURDER OF

Saturday evening, April lst. On Monday NOR
ming, the evidence of the defence was again
resumed, and large number of Witnesses ex-
amiued as to the prisoners stale of mind, al the
time of the perpetraIion OF the murder. They
all tesifedlha, he was laboring under strong
mental excitement, bordering on phrensy; and
that on The subject Of his sisters disgrace, he
was stark mad.
On Monday afternoon, the testimony for the
defence was finished, and the Counsel for the
Prosecution began with their rebutling evil
dence. They endeavored 10 establish that Mer
Ger, at the time of the murder, only excl
ted and no, insane, and therefore could not be
held guhIess of the crime. Several physicians
were examined, who gave their ideas Of insan-
iy They defined it according 10 the general
" received notions of The medical profession
throughout the country, and expressed very
strong doubts whether the symptoms, testified
TO in Mercer's case, were those OF insanity.
Attempts were also made, but without success,
TO prove the prisoner a young man oil violent
and vindciiye feelings and that his sister had
encouraged HebeIion in his lberline behavior.
The prose culion then rested, and contrary TO
expectation, The counsel FOR The prisoner an
nounced that they would offer no more evil
dence. liwas now Tuesday evening, and The
Court adjourned ill Wednesday morning, when
Mr.. Carpenter began The summing up 10 the jury,
for The prosecution. His speech occupied three
hours in The delivery, and is very highly spo-
ken of. Peter D. Vroom followed in the after
noon, and occupied The attention of the Court
until lis adjournment, with most powerful ap-
peal in favor Of the prisoner. Garret ID. Wall
spoke ably. eloquentIy, and feelingly on the
same side, on Thursday morning. and Mr.. Al
,orney General Molleson closed for the prose-
culion in The afternoon.
Al half past four O'Clock, on Thursday after
noon, Judge Elmer began his charge 10 the
Jury: which occupied exactly fifteen minutes.
lie was quite impartial; merely laying down
The law which was applicable TO the case, and
leaving the facts entirely 10 lhe jury.
The Jurors then retired 10 their room, TO de-
libcrate upon their verdict. In few minutes,
however, he bell was rang, and they returned
40 The bar. The creates, anxiety now prevail
ed 10 learn the prisoners fate, BY the assembled
multitude. The prosecuting Attorney here
suggested, that whatever might be The verdict,
he hoped The audience would keep perfectly
quiet, and make no demonstration either of ap-
probation or Misrepresentation. The Counsel for
the prisoner, also joined III this request.
The Clerk then asked the jurors if they had
agreed. To which they answered, "Yes."
He then asked them who should deliver their
verdict. They answered our foreman" The
Clerk then said, = Mr.. Foreman, how say you,
do you find The prisoner guilty-In the manner
and form as he is indicted, no, guilty"
The foreman replied, NOT GUILTY.
Notwithstanding The efforts which had been
made TO suppress il, This announcement, was
received with loud demonstrations OF approba-
'ion. Silence was instantly restored by order
of the Judge, and the prisoner, on motion of his
counsel, was discharged from custody
lie remained overnight, in Woodbury., at the
house where his father and mother had stayed
during the trial, and returned TO Philadelphia,
early on Friday morning, where he was await
e.. and warmly greeted by large number of
anxious friends.
Ills acquiital has given the most unbounded
satisfaction, as far as we have been able to
learn, all through the country. The injuries
OF Miss Mercer, were of The most enormous
character. The rillany Of Heberlon Of the
1iackes' dye. And the prosocaion of young
Mercer, moro Than mortal could bear We
nope this case will be warning both to awful
hesfiInes, and TO excabIe brothers. The fate
"t 'he seducer is most awful,-and who can
tell toe Pangs Of remosse which now tear the
bosom q young Mercer, since reason has again