The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-28
THE TRIAL OF MATT. F. WARD.

The Louisville Courier of June % contains letter from
James Crutcher of the jurors in the Ward trial. in
which, duty to himself and the public he sets forth
his position and and Of action upon that
casion. ssn
He denies having read in the public prints anything
about Ward having killed Butler before the trial He
says:
al heard only vague reports about the melancholy
currence and had reliable information upon which to
base an opinion, and can with an honest heart
say he heard me express any opinion
He continues
awhile the trial was pending, and after the evidence
was all taken both for and against the prosecution dis
covered part of the jury for the prisoner and few
of them said very little any way. After the pleadings
concluded and the charge given by the court to the
jury retired to the ury-roo and very there
proposition made by of the jury for all those in
favor of the prisoner to manifest it by holding the right
hand and eight Of them Immediately showed their hands,
Failing in that effort the next proposition made by r.
d. Mclntre by drawing three columns and heading Them
Guilty, Mansaughter Not Guilty Mclntire and myself
set down under the head of mansaughter; all
the other nymen set their under the head of not
guilty. We remained in that condition about hour de-
beratng the different versions of law and evidence Civ
by the lawyers when McIntre invited into private
He then told the odds too great, and
be believed we had as well go with the stronger
party told him | could not do that He then told
he should go for the prisoner and he did leave alone
and turn to the other jurymen in favor Of the acqu
tai. The next morning left lodgings and repaired
the juryroom in the courthouse told them did not
feel willing give up positions that not satisfied
about the evidence had either forgotten did not
destsnd they did, and if they would send down to the
court and get the evidence and was in accordance with
what they said and the instructions of the court would
certainly hold out longer Mclntire then drew from his
pocket paper containing notes of the evidence he had
taken He said he would go before magistrate and
they correct and that Quigey had stated that Butler
had pressed Ward back to the wall and proered give
me his certificate that effect if required it. told him
he juror and was bound to take his word,
for the other urymen concurred with him saying he had
the evidence of Quigey verbatim, and that his evidence
sustained of the evidence for the defence and that
would be bound TO acqu the prisoner according to the
instructions of the court that il the jury believed from
the evidence that Ward pressed back TO the wall and
in danger of his life great bodily harm it their
duty to acqut The instructions of the court well
could recoect them about these in meaning at least
II the Jury believed from the evidence Butler was killed
through malice they would return a verdict of guilty il
they believed il done in the sudden heat of passion,
and not through malice il would be mansaughter and II
they believed il was done in sefdeence-that Ward was
in danger of his life great bodily harmtwoud be their
duty TO return verdict of acquittaP
Believing that Ward did not go the school-room with
the intention of killing Butler but that the deed done
in the heat of passion be held fer verdict of
slaughter until few before the Jury went into
court Mcntires notes of the evidence and the
of the other jurymen induced give in and he
says i'll did wrong in yielding did it Internationally
Whatever may have been the spring of action
of the other jurymen do know If any of them were
bribed had knowledge of II, and ii is matter with
them and their God II has been widely circulated in
of the public prints that the tried and the prs-
acquitted by brbed jury and in Hardin county,
where the trial held il has been told how much each
of the jurymen received IL has been told that received
$3.50, 81 900, S750. Such charges and such reports
about low, mean and despicabe the author,
who is as blackhea demon of hell disgraced
the Of humanity The internal charges false ma
licious, and without the slightest foundation
lie claims TO have been heretofore a good member Of
cey to have served upon ures for thirty years without
reproach and asks that he be proven guilty OF the
crime charged before being condemned. He concludes
"And that am sixty years of age, standing the
head Of large and trust respectable family may
hope appeal with degree Of to the rejecting
1 m n ma from 10
unhaowed efforts TO sink and my family without, the
knowledge of single fact upon which TO base n
mote suspicion that was influenced by corrupt motives
JAMES CRUTCHER
HARDIN COUNTY, June 20, 1854