The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-01-03
A PAINFUL CASE.
I'm account Of recent trail at the Old
Bailey IN London--Loru Chief
Justice Tudui. President

Jastice 1iudai. President
GEORGE HAMMOND, a portrait painter,
was placed at the bar, to be tried on an
indictment found against him by the
grand jury, for the wiIful murder, with
malice atorethonght, of George Bald
win, a rope-dancer and mountebank.
The prisoner was Of middle height, but
slender form. His eyes were blue and
mild. His whole being gave evidence
OF subdued sadness and melancholy res
lgnatlon. He was forty-onc years of
age, had soft voice, and his appearance
and manner bore testimony to his being
man of distinguished education in
spite of the poverty of his dress.
On being called to plead, the prisoner
admitted he had killed Baldwin, and he
deplored the act; adding, however, that
on his soul and conscience, he did not
believe himself guilt. Thcreupon
jury was empannelled to try the
prisoner. The Indictment was then
read TO the jury, and the act of killing
being admitted, the government rested
their case, and the prisoner was called
upon for his defence.
The prisoner then addressed himself
to the court and jury.
"My Lord" SAID he, "my justifca-
ton Is 10 be found in a recital of the
facts. Three years ago, lost daugh-
ter, then four years of age, the sole me-
mortal left OF my beloved wife, whom it
pleased God to recall to Himself.
lost her; but | did not see her die, as |
had seen her mother die. She disap-
peared-she was stolen from me. Gen
tlemen, what | have suffered cannot be
descrlbed-you cannot comprehend it,
have expended in advertising and
trultless searches, everything possessed
furniture, pictures, even to my clothes.
All have been sold. For three years,
and on foot, have sought for my child
in all the cities, and in all the villages
in the three kingdoms. As soon as by
painting portraits, | had succeeded in
gaining little money, returned to
london, to re-commence my advertise
ments in the newspapers. At length,
on Friday, the 18th day ofArril last, as
crossed the Smithfeld Cattle Market, a
troupe Of mountebanks were performing
their frats Among them child was
turning on its head, its legs in the air,
and its head supported by a halbord. a
ray from the soul of its mother must
have penetrated my own, for me to have
recognized my child in that condition.
Her mother would perhaps, have pre-
clpitated herself towards her, and lock-
ed her in her arms. As for me, a veil
passed over my eyes. | threw myself
on the chief Of the rope-dancers. |
knew not how it was, |, habitually gem
tie, even to weakness, seIzed him by the
clothes, | raised him in the air then
dashed him to the ground-then again.
He was dead. Afterwards repentsd
what | had done. At that moment re.
GREETED that was only able TO kill one"
LORD CHEF JrsrIcE T1NDAL.-
"Ihose are not Christian sentiments.
How can you expect the court and Jury
to look with favor in your defence, or
God to pardon you il you cannot for
give"
PRISONER I'll know, my Lord, what
will be your Judgment, and that of the
jury, but God has already pardoned me;
| feel it in my heart. You know not,
knew not then, the whole extent of the
evil that man had done me. When
some compass onate people brought me
my daughter in the prison she was nc
longer my child. She was not pure
and angelic as formerly--she was cor
rupted body and soul. Her manner,
her language, infamous like those Of the
people with whom she had been living.
She did not recognise me, and no Ion.
ger recognised her myself. Do you
comprehend me now? That man had
robbed me of the love and soul Of my
child. And II have killed him but
once"
FoREMAN.--"My Lord, we have
agreed in our verdict"
CHIEF jUsTIcE-''I understand you,
gentlemen, but the law must take its
course, must sum up the case, and
then you will retire to deliberate"
The Chief Justice having summed up
the case, the jury retired, and in an in
slant returned into the Court, with a
verdict of'Not Guilty"
On the discharge of Hammond, the
Sheriff was obliged to surround him
with an escort. The crowd of men and
women was immense. The women
were determined to carry him off in trl-
umph. The crowd following him all
the way to his lodgings with deatening
shouts and huzzas.
IA ladu On hainer senarated from