Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-02-14
CONFESSION OF MURDER.

The Hartford Couran' contains report OF the
trial. before the Superior Court in that city, of
the convict Bennett who was indicted for an as
sault with intent to kill Mr.. Norton, one of the
ovprsoers of the Connecticut State Prison.
The prisoner declined the aid of Counsel, and
witnesses were examined only on behalf of the
State. The case having been clearly made out
against him, he proceeded TO address the Jury.
His speech was very remarkable one.
lie began by romarling that he had nothing to say
IN his own defence but on the contrary wished to les
uly against himself The indictment did not charge
crime by any means n great rs that which he had
committed THIS charged an assault, with intent to
Kill II should hive charged me with murder
struck him three times tone more than was testified
~ with the intent 10 murder. | had murder in nv
heart; and as the Bible snys che who sheddeth
mans blood by man shall his blood be shed, ouaht
10 receive the punishment of murderer. demand
the punishment allotted by tie law of God and not
that given By the law Of man THIS IS Court of
.;Gs,.cr and am glad of want justice done To
me. Let the Jury bring in verdict according to
righteousness, and | shall be satisfied
He went on to give an account Of his life, and
Of the feelings which induced him To- seek the
life OF his keeper lie protested to have net
with a change of heart, and said, although
should be released this minute, freed from all
punishment, ! would not be willing to 90. had
rather have the peace of soul which. murderer
as ! am, mercful God has vouchsaicd to me,
than 10 he freed. ! am a murderer. | cannot
lie. had rather have this arm struck off now,
than tell lie. Once | fell by Satan's rage,
but now, AIN raised by the Grace of God. |
believe that my wicked heart is taken from me-
II know myself, | would not kill man now,
for all the world aud all that is in it, or ever was
in it, ! say this under the expectation of meet
M another Judge at greater aud more awful
Trial"
The Jury having rendered verdict of Gull.
~ the Court proceeded TO sentence the prison.
err. The Judge said -" On this indictment YOU
can he imprisoned hut five wears. The Court
would inf C, on you the severest penalty of the
law, bu, as you have come forward without ma
king defence and confessed your guilt, and IN
consideration of the contrilion and repentance
manifested, which | hope is the result of a
change of heart, the Court RENTS one year and
sentences You to Imprisonment in the State
Prison for four years"
/" Bennett" says the Courant, " is native Of
Maine, and Is now in prison on a sentence of If.
teen years, SIX OF which have expired. He was
confined in the New Hampshire State Prison
twenty years ago. lie has since then been in
Sing. sing and IS now in the WeaIhcrsiied pris-
ON for the second time. lie is about As years
old, of a large, well.propor ioned frame, and a
counlenance by no means indicative Of a dcspe.
rate or abandoned character. His head presents
puzzle tor Psychologists, being very defective
IN the organ of COmbativeness and in the organs
appropriated to the animal propensires whilst
the organs of Reverence, Conscientiousness =,
&C., are extraordinarily developed" tribune.