Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-04-16

PROCEEDINGS OF JURY IN WEBSTERS TRIAL.
The following account Of the proceedings OF the Jury IN
Websters trial very interesting at this uncture and may
be looked upon semi-oficial ~
Having read In several papers what pnrported 10 be-
relation of the and events which ranspred IN inc
Jury-roem the trial of Dr. John W. Webster have felt
dssirous that the subject has been brought before
the public mind, that plain statement of the more impor
tant connected with the Juryroom should De made
II might prove interesting If not instructive 10 the COM
munity.
The Jury was composed of twelve men, from as many
different branches the mechanical and mercantile profess
sions They were from four different religious denomna
ons and their ages varied from 2S 6S They wero
men whom should designate possessing good, sound
common sense-men capable OF Judging, OF discerning Of
approaching evidence and estimating its Importance The
Jurors after they had become better acquainted with each
other and the evidence begun 10 bear with crushing
weight upon the prisoner and the network OF complicated
circumstances seemed TO encrcc him. felt strongly tho need
Of that wisdom which cometh from above 10 guide and d.
rect their minds Alright in their momenuous and res
ponsble situation. then that our worthy foreman
whom all highly respect, and whom we shall ever
remember with pleasure proposed to the Jury that they
should have religious services every evening The PROPOSE
ton was most cheerfuy responded to- and after that
voice of praise and daily assembled as we trust
from sincere hearts the throne OF Infinite wisdom and
mercy need say that the burden OF every prayer was
for wisdom guide and direct right decision and for
blessings rich and precious TO descend upon the prison.
er and his afflicted family.
TO the closing part Of this monentous trial
When the for the defence had given in their tes
mony and the counsel for the prisoner announced the EVIL
have the mind of cvory juror What. can no
more be said-no be done in behalf Of the unhappy phi
soner7 Is that the evidence-the only evidence on which
are base verdict of guilty AT that very time
with the light which the able charge OF the Chief Justice al
forwards gave several points of the law and the evil
dence think speak the sentiments OF nearly not quite
all the lury when that they were when they retired
fully prepared for their verdict thoy when they
retired from the uyroom after listening to the most able
and eloquent pleas Of the prisoners senior counsel and the
Attorney General strongly fully had the evidence point
ed TO the prisoner the guilty man. and 10 no one else After
guilt spread the table before he and the door locked
upon hem-shu out II were entirely from tbs world, with
nothing but the eye of the Omnscient God upon themso
painful the OF responsibility unwilling were they
10 come TO the result which all felt they TO- that
80 40 minutes spent any thing was done when
length the voice OF the Foreman was hoard calling them
10 order and reminding them OF duty however painful;
and when they had a taken their seats around the Ia
BILE then that of the Jurors and said Mr
Eoreman-beore entering upon tho further consdera-
ton and decision OF this most important matter, would
propose that seek for Divine wisdom and guidance"
The proposition with cordial response and the
Foreman called upon the jury 10 offer prayer This was
done feengy and sincerely. We then proceeded TO
the trying and painful part OF arduous duty
The various articles which were put into the case
amined by the Jury and particularly those things which
seemed TO bear most strongly against the prisoner The n
nal decision OF the question resolved into three parts
LIST Are the remains OF human body found In the Medical
College the Both Nov S49 those of the late Dr. George
Parkman? ID Did Dr. Geo. Parkman TO his death BY
the hands Of Prof Jno W. Webster in the Medical College
the 23d Now 1919 3D. Is Prof Jno. w Webster gull
ty forth in the Indictment OF the wfnl murder OF
Dr. George Parkmanl When the the first question
was put twelve hands Immediately. Some little dis
cuson then took place. when the second question was test
ed and twelve hands the third the most i'm
portan question of ALL 20 be edquite pause
ensued One Juror his s,mpathies of kindness for the
prisoner who his personal acquaintance and friend and
his afflicted family shnk from the fiery ordeal Can't we
stop here Can't the law be vndcated and justice be sa
ts6ed if pause here must take the lite OF the unhap
py prisoner Some discussion cnsued the mind OF the u
seemed calm and he expressed his readiness 10
vote the final question: which then put and twelve
hands arose The die cast, and John w Webster
pronounced guilty of murder Thus ended the closing
in jury What afterwards transpircd in the Court
room il already known to the public
When foreman then pronounced that awful word.
Guilty Jury well tho prisoner, embled and grew
faint and what relief US il when were again al
lowed to go free and reon families and friends after 80
long and painful separation; and there Juror
heart but would have oaped for could the prisoner have
been Justly allowed the unspcakable blessing.
BosroS, APRIL 3d. 1850. ONE OF THE JURY.
The Boston Courier has the following to Professor
Webster:
This unfortunate man, far external appearances in
dictate has become reconciled his fae-s deneanor
that Of person endeavorng to solve some great problem
calm and thoughtful He reads much and has recourse to ma
ny books and newspapers His family visit him almost daily
They boar terrible trial which has upon them with
submission patience and Christian fortitude the furthest
possible removal from that despairing anguish which podu
ees insanity"