Washington sentinel., 1854-04-09

Murder Trial I'm New Orleans-strange
Scene In the C0urt-ro0m.-In the first district
court of New Orleans, on the Goth inst, James
Patton, man who once occupied an epyiable
position in society, was put upon his trial for the
murder Of Colonel Walter Turnbull.
The occurrence, il will be remembered, took place
on The Sd Of December last, and all the particulars
OF the case were at the time published by US in
detail. Col. Turnbul was standing with friend
near ST. Marys market, and, seeing an omnibus
approach, he hailed it, and il stopped. AS he
went toward il 10 get in, the prisoner, who had
previously occupied a seat in the omnibus arose
and fired revolver at him through enc of the
windows. The shot took effect in his LEFT side.
Patton then stepped out on the steps of the omni-
bus and again fired at Turnbull. This time the
shot took effect in Mr.. rs right side. After being
thus wounded Col. Turnbull staggered toward
the tagging of the market and fell In a few
minutes he was corps Before dying, however,
he recognized man named Kelly, VINO was
standing over him, and in answer TO the ques-
ton. "who shot you ?n he answered, Mr.. Patton"
He also said that he had had no previous difficult
" with Patton. After firing the two shots Patton
got out on the street and placed the pistol in his
pocket
He was then arrested. These We're the facts
proved by the prosecution, which was conducted
by the attorney general and district attorney.
For the defence, Messrs. Grimes, Seth, Barton
and Dunbar were employed. BY them the plea
of insanity was set up, and witnesses were intro
duced 10 substantiate the plea. The evidense
went to show that Patton was insane, but he
fused to let his counsel put in that plea. He haa
been jealous of his wife, and employed counsel to
procure a divorce, but as he could produce no
evidence against her, her counsel refused to car
ry the suit, and il was directly after this refusal
that the murder was committed. The closing
part of the trial is thus reported in the New Or.
leans Courier:
The attorney for the defence submitted letters
TO the court that had been written by the priss
oner to them, to show the court that he was n7
sane. Mr.. Burton said he had proof, if the State
would only allow him to offer it, that would
show, beyond the possibility of doubt, that
the prisoner was insane, and that if he was found
guilty, it would be nothing short of Judicial
murder. Ii they found him guihy, God help and
have mercy on Judge, jury, and all connected with
the case.
Mr. Patton, at this stage Of the proceedings, de-
manded that his lawyer should stop.
Mr.. Grymes then demanded of the court that
they should be allowed 10 proceed, and the prs-
oner kept quiet-when Mr.. Patton interrupted
him by saying that he had commanded him to
stop.
The Judge said that he must discharge his
counsel. The prisoner said he had discharged
them.
Mr. Patton then rose and addressed the Jury
He said that he had been betrayed by his coun-
sci; that he was then taken by surprise; that
he had expressly forbidden them making any
such plea as they had done that they had aban-
doned proof in their possession 10 have proved
first provocaton, and ajustifable homicde but that
they had lodged the question, and sacrificed him;
that they had been instigaed TO il by others that
they had attempted to insult the intelligence of
the jury by making such plea; that if he was
mad, there was "method in his madness !" that
the three shots were clearly proven that he had
killed him; and that he had presumed that he
now must be offered as holocaust to satisfy
the names Of Colonel Turnbull; that he killed
him, but that he had just cause; but this had been
kept back by his counsel for the purpose Of sacr-
ficing him that they had tried to prove him mad
81 was mad had Just cause to be mad ! but
there was g method in my madness !" and there is
but two verdicts you can bring in, murder or an
acquttal you cannot put me in the State prison;
death, thousand fold, in preference; to put Inc
there would be 10 make me object of executive
clemency, on account of insanity, and will come
out of the prison with the impuiation that had no
just cause in killing Colonel Turnbu; am not
an object of executive cemency; have had just
provocation, or have made your streets flow
with innocent blood. No, am not mad; killed
the man and can die for it will never leave
Louisiana but in two ways-by the gallows or by
acquttal; have been betrayed by my counsel
for uterior objects. Gentlemen, there is a screw
loose somewhere; if have made your streets
flow with innocent blood, am ready to expate
my offence with my life !; a man that can kill an
other can also die"
State prison, more for the reason that executive
clemency would be exercised towards him than
anything else.
The case being brought TO perfect stand by
Mr.. Patlon's conduct, there was no alternative
but TO submit it to the jury. who returned YER
dict OF "guilty without capital punishment
When he heard the verdict the prisoner seemed
surprised and excited, and attempted TO speak to
the foreman of the jury, who stood near him. The
jailor, however, prevented him from arising, and a
tear stole into the eyes of many Of those present
they beheld the agents of the law place felons
manacles on the hands of the once wealthy, pol
ished, and high:mnded gentleman-now the con-
victed criminal!
NATIONAL MEDICAL COLLEGE,
IN Washngton-The Thirty-second Annual