New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-06-26
TIE TRIAL OF MiTT. z. WARD.

Tie louisville Courier Of Jane contains letter from
james Cricher, Of The jurors in the Ward trial, IN
which s duty TO himself and the public he sets forth his
rostop and course and cause Of action upon the. occa-
SION.
He denies having read in the public prints, anything
abou; " ard having killed Butler before the trial lie
says: heard only vague reports about the melancholy
occurrence, and had no reliable information upon
which TO bas II inon and no man can, vain an non
est heart, ss! he heard me express any opinion
He continue;
"While tie ;ria was pending and after the evidence
was oil taken both and against the prosecution dis
covered part of the jury for the prisoner ani few
Of them said very Lite any way A'ter the pleahass
concluded. and the charge given by tue Court to the
ily retired to the Jury and very soon there was
PFC position made BY OF the jury for ali those
In yo. of the prisoner manifest by holding mp tho
night hand and eight of them immediately showed their
hands Failing in tha effort. the next proposition was
mlce By H. NJ McIniire by drawing three columns, and
heading tLoIn-Guty- Manslaugh ter-NOt Guilty. Ne
uansiaugher all the other urymen sc, their names un-
der the head of not guilty. We remained IL that condi-
ton abort hour celebrating the different versions
Of law and evidence given by the lawyers, when
Mcnire invited me into private room lie
then told ne the odds were too great and he
believed had well go with the stronger
parry. told him could not do that lie then told me
he should 20 FOR the prisoner and he did leave me alone
end turn the ether urymen in favor of the acqrit
tai The morning left our lodlngs and repared to
Tie jury room in the courthouse told them did NOT
feel willing TO give my position that was not satisfied
dersand they did and If they would send down to me
court and get the evidence, and It in accordance with
what they aid and the Instructions OF the court would
ay hold out longer Mcln;lre then drew from his
pocket paper containing notes OF the evidence ne MAJ
iaken He said he would before magistrate aad swear
lhCy were correct and thai Qugey had stated that Butler
lad pressed Ward back 10 the wall and proeed to give
ne his certificate to that effect, Il required II.
told him be was sworn juror, and | was bound To
take his word for the other jurymen concUrred with
him in saying he had the evidence Qaigley verbatim,
dat ls evidence sus,aned some Of tie evidence Tor
he defense; end that we would De bound TO aclut ,he
prisoner according TO the Instructions of the Court that
ii tie IuTy beloved FROM the evidence that Ward was
~, ss,d back TO the wall and in danger of his life
lneat bodily ham, il their duty 10 acquit. The III
strueticr 81 the Court well could ecolect them,
about has in meaning at least IL tho jury be-
cvoc from the evidence that Butler killed through
alice they would verdict of guilty ii they be-
hoyed done In the sudden heat OF passion and not
through malice, il would be manslaugher and if they
believ led done in selfdeiense-tha Ward was in
danger OF his life great bodily harm, it would be their
duty 10 return verdict al acquittal.
Believing that Ward did not go TO the schooroom with
the intention Of killing Butler but that the deed done
in the heat of passion he held verde, OF
sugter until moments before the jury went into
Court. Mcintyres OF the evidence and the
Of the other rymen induced him 10 give in and he
says, i'll did wrong in yielding Gid II unn.c ntlOnaly
- "Whatever may have been the spring of action
of The other urymcn do not know; any OF them were
tribed had no knowledge Of ii, and i i matter with
them ard their God. Ii has been widely circulated in
some the public prints that the tried and the
priscner acquitted by brbed Jury and in Hardin Coun-
"iy who're be trial was he'd II has been told how much
each of the jurymen received. IL has been told that
received $50, 0CO, sl7j0 Such charges aad such
reports about me are low and despicabe the
" er,hcr who is black hearted demon of hell a.
sgraced the of humanity. The Internal charges
false malicious, and without the slshtet foundation
He claims TO have been heretofore a good member OF
society TO have served upon Jues for thirty years with
out roach and asks tina, he may proven guilty Of the
crime charged, before being condemned. He concludes
And now that am sixty ysGr Of age, standing the
head Of large, and trust respectable family may not
hope 10 appeal with degree Of success 10 the reflect
ing men who have 20 long known me- 10 from
the unhalowed efforts TO sink and my family, without
lbs knowledge Of single fact upon which to base
remote suspicion that ! was influenced by corrupt mo-
tive-. VA'E' IN i'"SN'
Hardin County June 20 isj4'