Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-11-22


TRIAL MERRITT YoUNG.-Ths trial, which has
occupied our Circuit Court nearly two weeks and the
evidence given in the case of which, appeared in Sat-
urday's edition of the Semi-weekly Sentinel and in
this number of the Weekly closed Tuesduy-or
we might say that arguments Of counsel closed
on Saturday last, when the was, after the
charge of the Court, given the jury about FIVE
O'Clock, P. M. The jury remained out until about
o'clock on Monday morning succeeding, when they
returned into Court, and rendered their verdict
follows:
ave, the Jury, find the defendant guilty of man
slaughter and sentence him to Imprisonment at hard
labor in the State Prison for the term of two years
WIN. T. CURD, Foreman
After the close Of the testimony, business call
ed for the largest share of attention in another
quarter. Consequently, not able to give full
reports of the able speeches of counsel, had
space. and take this occasion to remark princi-
pally on what we heard personally. and on the judg-
Of friend who present and made good OBJ
servance of the whole trial
After the close of the evidence L. Barbour Esq,
commenced the case for the prosecution; and in
able argument eyinced his legal knowledge and acute
judgment the satisfaction of all who heard bin.
err, tragic or comic; yet there is that about him
which, but for his particular modesty rhen address
ing jury. totally unlike him when he has a witness
in hand, would, with some practice, make him cap
ital advocate.
Mr. B. was followed in the defence by r. L. Wal
pole, Esq. young but talented member Of the bar.
This, we believe was the first capital trial in which
he has ever been engaged; and the best proof of
what he is destined 10 become, is adduced (by us)
from the knowledge of law exhibited on the occasion,
and from his of-hand, ensy address. It partakes,
perhaps, little too much Of the impetuosity Of
YOUTH but age and experience will correct these
errors.
Hiram Brown, ESQ.,, followed Mr. Walpole; and
IN his argument, seldom excelled by himself,
veteran as he is, he made, by his clear and lucid
analysis of the testimony, decided impression Mr..
B. needs encomiuIns from US to add to his already
established reputation.
H. O'Neal. Esq, followed Mr. B. for the defence.
Unfortunately for US, we did not hear one word of
his speech. 1t is reported. however with excep-
ton or two, to have fully sustained his previous high
reputation. VIM. Quarles, ESQ.,, followed on the
same side; and here public expectation on tiptoe
to witness the effort of this giant of the bar-this
veteran In law. That he impressed fully with
the immense responsibility resting on his shoulders
fully apparent from the fact that he rushed to his
subject giant-like! No smooth words at opening
nothing but his whole soul appeared from the tart
and for hours he breated forth all his eloquence
in behalf of his unfortunate client He was the last
one TO speak in that unhappy mans defence. At the
close, in a manner at once solemn and impressive,
couched in such language would become the poets Of
med nd ad tha H.. Oh.
storm, by the almost exhaustion of the forces lashng
1t into fury, his appeal was eloquent-it was
touchng-he left the boy in the hands of his peers
he was done-he had done his duty--his conscience
would clear him. and he trusted the boy to God and
his country.
Ex-GOv. Wallace closed the argument ON behalf OF
the State, and if he, experienced and able he is,
ever appeared to advantage, it in this case With
much to contend against, from various sources in
this he exceeded the most sanguine expectations Of
his friends and enemies That his admirable review
OF the whole case bis strict and correc, scanning Of
its every aspect his complete calculation Of the tes-
timoDy, bore conviction the minds of hundreds OF
the listeners, whatever effect it may have had on the
jury This excellent speech we may have occasion
to call attention to again.
The Jury--Their verdict is before the people and
from their character is to be supposed that each hs
acted In accordance with his OATH For fifteen DAYS
were they in close attention on their duties and ar
duous they were, they fulfilled them with cheerful
ness deserving Of credit. Nor should we forget the
Court The charge TO the jury is what particu-
larry interests at this time. and Of that we cannot
speak in this number. owing to the crowded state Of
our columns. However, in mex, we shall endea-
to give it entire. for its legal worth; and to fur
Their mention. that which has made much impression
on the court going public we'll ourselves, the
dignifed, urbane, impartial and prompt bearing Of
the Court