Demoine courier., 1856-09-11
AN ACCOUNT

George Hammond, a portrait painter,
was placed at the bar, TO be tried on an
indictment found against himself by the
Grand Jaf., Tor the wilful murder. with
malice afo~re;Lought, of George Baldwin
a rope dancer and m~oun,ebank. The
prisoner was a man OF medium height,
Lu, slender form. His eyes were blue
and mild. Ills whole bearing gave evil
deuce Of subdued sadness and melan.
choly resignation. lie was foriy.one
years Of age, had a soft voice, and his
appearance and manner bore evidence 10
his being a man Of distinguished educa-
ton, in spite Of The poverty of his dress.
On being called on to plead, the priv
oner admitted :ha, he did Kill! Baldwin,
and he deplored the act, adding, boweser.
,ha, on his sou! and conscience he did
no. believe himself guilty. Tnereupon
a jury was empannelIed to try the pris.
oner. The Indictment. was then read to
the jury, and the act of killing being adj.
mi,,ed, the government, rested their case
aud ,he prisoner was called upon for his
defence. H
TIE prisoner then addressed himself
to the court and jury:
My. Lord, said he, my justification
is to be found 10 a recital Of the facts
Three years ago, l lost a daughter, then
four fears of age. the sole memorial ola
beloved wife, whom il pleased God to
recall TO himself. Hos. her, but | did
no, see her die. She disappeared-she
was stolen from me. She was q charm.
ing child, and beside her ! had nobody
in the world to love me. Gentleman.
whatI have suffered canno, be described;
you csnno. comprehend il. | had ex.
pended in advertising and i~ruisess search.
es everything I possessed-furniture pic
lures, even to nv clothes. ALI have
been sold. sfs@
For three years on foot, I had been
seeking for my child in all the cite. and
all the villages is the three singcoms.-
AS soon as by painting portraits I had
succeeded IN gaining a little money, re.
turned to London to recommence my adj.
veriisemenls in the newspapers. AT
length, on Friday, the 18th of April las,
| crossed the Smithield cattle market
In the centre of the market a troupe Of
moun,ebanks were performing their feats.
Among them a child was turning OF ito
head supported on a halberd. A ray
from the soul Of lis mother must have
penetrated my own, Tor me to have re-
cognizec my child in that condition. 1,
was ny poor child. Her mother wosid
perhaps have precipitated herself to-
wards her, and locked herself in her
arms. As for me a veil passed over ny
eyes. knew no, how i, was-I, ha.
bisually gentle, even to weakness. seized
him by the clothes-I raised him in the
air, then dashed him to the ground
then again; he was dead. Afterwards
repen,ed wha, | had done. At the mo.
ment | regretted that | was able to kill
but one. sgs e asE aa,
=
Lord Chief Justice TindaIe.-"These
are no, Christian sentiments. How can
you expec. the Cour, and jury to look
with favor or your defence. or God to
pardon you, il you anno, forgive"
Prisoner.-"l know, my lord. what
will be your judgment, and Ina, OF the
jury; but God has already pardonsd me;
feel il in my heart. You know not.
knew not then. the whole extent of the
evil that mar had done. When some
compassionate people brought me my
daughter in prison, she was no longer
my child; she was no longer pure and
angelic as formerly; she was corrupt,
body andsoul-her manner, Der language,
Infamous like those with whom she had
been living. | did not recognize her N.Y.
self. Do you comprehend me now! That
man had robbed me Of the love and soul
Of my child. And I-Ihave killed Kim
but once"
Foreman -"My lord. We have agreed
on our verdict"
Chief Jus.ice.-"I understand Won.
gentlemen. but the law must take its
course. ! must sum up the case and
hen you will retire 10 deliberate"
The Chief Justice having summed IN,
the case, the jury retired and in an m,
slant after retained into cour. with a ye,-
dict Of "NoT Curry"
On the discharge of Hammond, tho
sheriff was obliged 10 surround him
with On escort. The women we're de-.
ined 10 carry him afr In ,.;,m