Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-05-05
TRIAL. OF CHRISTIAN.
To The Editors of The ENQUIRER.

LEXINGTON, April 90, lS3l
statement in your las paper has my eye and as il
IS calculated 10 convey and unjust npes-
sion 10 the division Of the jury in the Christian case
beg leave TO give you opportunity OF correcting IT, Nhen
The jury retired and the vote taken upon the issue sent
in the record from the examining court there was but
Juror who voted in favor OF capital conviction Aer-
wards consultation, tho referred TO- with cighl
ohes concluded 10 convict OF murder in the second de-
gree but with the express intention Of accompanying this
verdict with Recommendation unconditional Executive
pardon The other three members OF the Jury were IN aror
two Of entire acQual and the third OF imprisonment in the
county Jail; but the latter willing ii necessary 10 ac'
quit entirely Thus the practical division OF the Jury was
this: nine IN favor of verdict of murder in the second de-
gree with recommendation unconditional and mmcdat &c
Executive clenencyi three in favor of entire aCquitta
These facts communicated TO by several OF the Ju
rors OF both grades OF sentiment
You have much OF the proceedings OF this trial.
that scarcely venture say word in relation
10 it, unless II DC MS 10 two Incidents connected with
the close of the argument Public expectation had beca
wrought 10 hgh'pch in an'cipa,ion Of the final argu.
from Charles l.. Mosbp, Esq Of Lynchburg; and
great was the disappointment felt and expressed On all Sides
at the unfortunate illness which prevented his
Mr.. Mosbys fame advocate and urist, had preceded
him, and The remarkable ability displayed by him in the
searching cXamnu lions OF the different witnesses had
given ample thai the highest hopes OF his client
and friends, would be realized in Of the finest efforts oI
his fc But the length of the trial joined the oppressive
heat Of III" weather. acted upon his frame already eneeb,d
by previous sickness 10 such extent that his physicians
warned him. TO attempt speech would be TO hazard his ie
Judge Thompson WHO had visited Mr.. NJ, and &C.
qualnts with his condition. expressed in court his great
greet lAa! hc accused shouli lose the benefit of The great
experience learning and eoqucncG OF The counsel in 'S""
and his friends had Justly placed their chief reliance and
declared the loss OF .hc prisoner 10 be such as
could not be adequately supplied"
Upon being informed that our townsman, Judge Jno w,
Brockenbough would in this extremity appear IN behalf
the accused Judge Thompson expressed his qualification
IT, and said that there objection legal moral Or
social his doing Judge Brockcn5rough then proceed
address the jury In style Of argument and lofty elo
queuce such have heard surpassed After an alb
sence of years from the BAR Judge b. showed himself
fully equal to the emergency and whilst the coseness aud
power of his logic might well have been expected from him.
yet the other qualities and graces of the orator he rose
to an cminencc which delighted ALL and especially those who
feared the effect of long dsuse and absence from loren
sic contests The large audience assembled 10 hea him
gave respectful bur unequyoca indications OF The impress
sion produced by his eor upon both their judgments and
feelings
Trusting ths, you will find room 10 your columns for
these hurried lines remain, yours &c, y.
Richmond Whig will please copy.