The true Democrat., 1854-06-13
From the Troy Whrg, May 9 The trial of Mrs. Robinson for Murder.

In some respects this is most remarkable case, and Ill some of its features parraleled by no other that we now remember. We allude more particularly to the most eXtraordinary and almost fatal determination, persisted in by the prisoner, Mrs. Robinson, against the advice and earnest wishes of her very able counsel, to keep herself so closely yelled as to defy any at- tempts to identify her. For two days neither court nor jury knew whether 1t was man or woman at the bar as prisoner. When requir- ed by the court to remove her veil and disclose her face to witness she refused to do so, and she was identified only by being permitted to rise from her seat and go to witness's stand and there allow him, and him only, to behold her features. Her counsel felt called upon to state that this extraordinary determination of the prisoner was not within their control: that it had been taken by her in view of considerations above and beyond this trial or its results and that they were not answerable for it. And so she sat, the yelled prisoner, no less secluded from the gaze of man than was the "Veiled Prophet"
 Yesterday morning the court commanded the veil to be laid aside, as the mode of seclusion adopted and persisted in was but little less than mockery of the forms of justice. The pri- soncrrose to speak for herself which she did in selt-possesSed manner, and said that she was there to undergo an important and painful trial, and did not wish to be gazed at Her counsel said they had urged compliance with the wishes of the court, but that they were power less. She continued to sit yelled, and the court proceeded. At another stage of the trial udge Harris remarked that unless that which hid the prisoner from the court and jury was removed by herself, he would direct the Sheriff to remove it; and then the veil was withdrawn, disclosing face at once attractive and engaging, if not once beautiful-but not the reason why, in such a manner, it had been thus far secluded It is this question that lends extraordinary interest to the trial, and has given rise to much speculation.
 It may not be improper to say that the cur rent belief ls-not to use a stronger term-that Mrs. Robinson, the prisoner, formerly, some twenty years ago, resided in this city, as pupil at the seminary; that her maiden name was Wood; and her family was one of wealth, standing, and responsibility, and resided some- where near Quebec; that while here she moved in the best social circles of our city, as did three sisters, who also attended the seminary at diff ferent times; that she subsequently, married an army officer in Canada who died; that she then married surgeon in the army, in the Provinces from whom she separated; and that she is now here, the yelled prisoner at the bar charged with the crime of murder.
 These we believe, are the outlines of the narrative generally credited-we may say not doubted from the first-by very many For what reason her identity has been attempted to be disguised we know not. Shortly after the prisoner was arrested a gentleman from Quebec or vicinity came here, and statement was put forth to the effect that the prisoner was some other person; but it isnow to be presumed that the representation is not sustained in the public belief Whoever the prisoner is, she has from the first possessed the facilities for securing for herself the ablest counsel and many comforts not possessed by all who inhabit cell.
 The defense is insanity The counsel for the prisoner seem prepared to press this point with skill and force. During the examination of witnesses yesterday afternoon, although on the assembling of the court after dinner, Judge Harris again insisted upon the veil being with drawn, the prisoner either by drawing the veil down entirely, or by placing veil handker- chief or fan before her face, to all intents and purposes successfully resisted the wishes and commands of the court She for the first time evinced emotion, and was frequently in tears but whether from an apprehension of being re- cognized by partial removal of the veil, or from a realization of her real position we can