The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-11-29
Reported for the Baltimore SUM-
MLrts rTrfaH in III |: l'Gurd Comfy.

BELAIR, Hartford Co., Nov. "a.
The court of this county met here
this morning, at 10 o'clock-John C..
Legrand, Judge, present.
The case of Edward CHM, who was
charged with the murder of Henry
Pritchard, was taken up. In a few min
utes Robert H. Bussey, sheriff, came into
the court with the prisoner in charge.
He is man of thirty years of age, and
has an open, pleasant countenance, in no
wise indicative of disposition to do an
improper act, much less the act of which
he stands charged. There is nothing in
his appearance by which he could be
recognized as the prisoner. A smile is
constantly playing over his features,
which relaxes into broader laugh at
the relation of the lighter incidents of
the case.
William H. Dallam, Esq, Deputy
Attorney for Hartford county, and Rich
ard Grason, deputy for Cecil, and Ed
win Webster, Esq, appeared for the
State. Albert Constable, Ohio Scott,
Hiram Mccullough, and John Cooley
Esqs., appeared for the defence.
/ his case was removed from Cecil
county court at its last term.
The prisoner was arraigned, and the
indictment read to him in distinct and
impressive tone by A. Lingan Jarrett,
the newly elected clerk of our court,
vino is still acting as deputy to Mr..
cough. Through the counsel the plea
of not guilty was made. Eleven Jurors
were selected from the regular panek
and the twelfth was selected from about
dozen tales 1t may be here remarked
that, although the health of our county
is remarkably good at this writing, many
of tie jury when called up desired to be
excused on the ground ofindisposiion
bad colds and other slight affections
lettering them from what they supposed
would be protracted trial.
Richard Ora on, Esq, opened the
cafe in short address, to the jury, rela-
ting that they had been ernpannelled TO
try Edward CHM for the murder of
Henry Prit&hard on the 9th day OF last
September, in the adjoining county of
Cecil. Henry Pritchard was stl,1g
quietly with his family on the afternoon
OF that day, when Edward CHM, the
prisoner at the bar, was seen approach
ing his house. Caroline Prltchard, sister
oil the deceased, who had been for some
time keeping house for john CHM. the
father OF the prisoner, and had that day,
on account OF the alleged ad treatment
OF Edward, taken refuge in the house of
hel brother Henry. u hen Edward
reached the house Of Pritchard, his in
curry was for Caroline, and on ascer-
iaIhIng that she was there, his conduct
became Notwithstanding to shoot
her, or any one who should offer to pro-
trCt her. | he deceased asked him iii
We're possible Tor Dim to commit such a
deed. ~ es, " was his reply; "d-n her,
0, any Ferson who would take her part. '
"e N'trn 1T Of Henry to persuade and
lacily i.ln tended TO produce a greater
degree OF a>Sion in the mind of CHM.
Henry then attempted to leave his own
home for the purpose Of procuring the
assistance OF John kincaid; neighbor,
but was prevented by CHM. who took
hold Of one Of l'ritchard's children and
threatened to blow out its brains.-The
wife Of Henry Pritchard had, in the
mean time, escaped to the house of Kin
cald, to procure his assistance. While
she was absent, Henry continued his eff
forts to pacify CHM, scuGle ensued,
and Prltchard, in attempting to ward
OF the gun, was shot in the hand and
; arm. The wounded man then made his
escape i'll the direction of his wife and
Mr.. klncaid, who were then near the
house OF the latter. They had heard
twice the report Of firearms, and on the
approach OF Henry, found him wounded
in the manner in which have hereto
fore described. kincaid advised the
parties to take to flight, he could afford
them no shelter; that he would thereby
endanger his Gym life. Henry Pritch-
ard first went to the house of his brother
Jesse, who liveda short distance off;
'''' 80 r. N"' "hA v III MS idi'liy ' HC
attempted to reach his home, but was
met on the way by Ginn, who SHOT him
IN the left breast, from the ELECTS of
which wound immediate death ensued.
Gentlemen Of the Jury, have given
you this short statement of the cases as
it occurred, and expect to substantiate 1t
by the evidence which shall introduce.
If shall succeed in doing so we shall
expect from you a verdict of equity of
Murder in the first degree"
Ohio Scott, Esq, for the defence, sta
ted they expected to be able to prove to
the jury, by all the witnesses in the case
that the prisoner, at the time of COM
hitting the act, was maniac, and not
responsible for his conduct.
The witnesses-some dozen or more
were here called; their testimony was
IN the main in accordonce with the