Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-04-18
TRIAL OF MERCER-HIS ACQUITTALl
THE CHEERS AND ENTHUSIASM
OF THE PEOPLE


The Hon. Garrct D. Wall immediately after
the opening Of the Court rose and commenced the
last argument on the part of,he defence In the
first part of his perora,ion he alluded very strong
y to the revolutionary services of his father, ana
stated that the son would rely upon the justice o
jury of husbands and fathers
He then painted the situation of the Mcrce,
family before the advent of Hcberton. the tales O
the father OF his evolutionary services to tn,
children round the domestic freside, and said tina
had the jury looked at that fre-side thew nigh
have seen here the prisoner and the yonng and
innocent girl whose appearance before the Court
had excited the pity and tears of all around
(This was beautiful picturc)
He then pictured the change and the events that
preceded the murder. He drew vivid sketch
OF Miss MERGERS dishonor, or Heberton's dupIici.
ty heaItlessness and crime, and then painted the
surprise the horror Of the brother listenngo such
a tale from the lips of young and beloved sister,
and pause to ask whether the killing Of such a
brute was murder2
t1e then went on to say tina, he deemed the fin.
ger of Providence was in the whole affair that i,
winged the ball TO that heart which had occasion.
ed all this misery, all this suffering
Gen. Wall continued on the ground OF his in
sanity, from the point terminated his eloquent and
pathetic address at 10 minutes past IL o'clock.
The Hon. George p Molleson next arose for
the prosecution, and made strong, bold and well
digested speech
Mr. Molleson finished his speech about o'clock.
r. NJ. Judge Elmer then delivered his charge,
which occupied about fifteen minutes The
Judge was Ill, and did not touch much upon the
evidence. He detailed merely the points of law,
and was quite impartial.
At two minutes past five o'clock, the Jury re-.
tired, ana twenty-eight minutes after, returned in
TO court amid the most intense excitement from
the Immense crowd now gathered around Court
opened while the bell was oling above
Mr. Carpenter rose and suggested on the part OF
the State that whatever might be the res, of the
verdict, the crowd would preserve silence and re.
spect the dignity of the Court
Gov, 'room rose and suggested the same, on
the part Of the defence
The jury were then asked if they had agreed
upon verdict. The Foreman replied in the at
frmative.
CIerk-Is he guilty or no, guilty7
Foreman-NOT GUILTY
The verdict was Immediately received in loud
cheers IN spite OF the effort to keep order. and the
prisoner was discharged
The crowd followed Mercerto the prison cheer
ing him all the way and when there. gave him
nine enthusiastic cheers for his safe deIiyerance
ss PaSSou tue night al the boarding house al
woodbury., where his father aad mother we've saw.
ins' and returns 70 the city this morniag Gun.
were hired last evening in various directions
throughout the diaria Of Southwark, in rejoice
ment at his freedom. lie deserves it all
f0krg Mercer and his Sisier-An Afeetiae
Scene at Woodbury. The PhAadelphil Mercury
states on the authority OF an eyewitness that the
interview OF young Mercer with his family i'm
mediiieiy alter the acquital. was scene of extra
ordinary pathos Slu fell on her knees befor,
her brother as he entered the apartment. and i'm
plored his forgiveness for the peril add SUFFERING
TO which he had been subjected on her sceourI
ne mother embraced her sen, fyhom she ressrd
Cd Utmost as one restored from the graves with
that Joy and gladness which find no lr,erance il
woras The youth, ou his part discovered All
that Intensity Of affection which forms the mos
agreeable tran ia his character. He hung on m.
s'sef Saroh's neck and assured her Of his perfect
forgiveness, begged her 10 consider herself blame
less, snt sitribuing Inc affections they had iJs
passed through 10 one who had made full and
'eanal s,onemen, for hts gul, Our informant
VINO 's mol used TO the mrliny mood. left The room
completely overwhelmed by the sress di.ol,v y
hhal ifaiernsl and parental emotions ne had wi,