Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1857-05-16
THE BLAIR co. MURDER.
Close Of the Trial of D. s. McKim, for
the Murder Of Samuel T. NOrCrOss.

HoLLIDAysBURa, May estorday
morning Thaddeus Banks, Esq. opened
for the defence, commencing at the open.
ing Of the Court, and ending at little
after ten o'clock, The arguments Of Mr..
Banks were characterized by shrewd reas-
oning, and at times he became quite
eloquent in behalf of the prisoner. He
cited the usual authorities, not forgetting
the murder of Mr.. Hays lin England for
which Jonathen Bradford wrorg ely suffered
"a case, believe, cited on the OCCASION Of
every criminal trial where conviction
hinges upon circumstantial evidence.
w, A, Stokes, Esq, for the Common
wealth, commenced at the close of Mr..
Banks plea. lie opened with a beautiful
excrdium, and then reviewed the history
of the case, beginning with Mckim's resi-
dence at Dunlieth, and going over the whole
ground connected with the fearful tragedy.
Never have We heard case based upon
eircumstantial evidence handled with more
legal ability than was displayed by Mr..
Stokes in this case. One by one he demoli-
shed the proofs set up by the defence, until
the defence itself seemed like the "bascless
fabric Of vision" lie brought his remarks
to close at clock, having spoken just four
hours, during which time he was listened to
with intense interest by as many people as
cou'd conveniently be crowded into the
Court House, many of whom were ladies.
At the close of Mr.. Stokes address, the
Judge Immediately began to deliver his
charge to the jury. It was long and
elaborate review of the testimony in tho
case, and the strong points that told against
he prison'r were especially telling, coming
from the Court 1t was nearly six o'clock
when he concluded, and it was impossible
to resist the conclusion that the result of the
trial will be a conviction.
The jury retired to deliberate upon their
verdict as soon as the ch rye was conclu
ded.
After an absence of an hour and quar-
ter, the Jury returned to the Court r ON,
which was very much crowded. The fore
man delivered their verdict as follows:
"We find the defendant David Stringer
McKim, guilty of Murder in the first Degree,
in manner and form as indicted"
Mr., Hofins, one of the counsel for the
defence, Immediately gave notice of an
arrest ofjudgment but there can be little
doubt that it will be overruled.
The prisoner was removed to the jail, to
await the sentence of the Court and the
decision of the Governor in regard to his
execution. So ends this trial, which has
excited an extraordinary interest in this
county. thas been fairly and ably con.
Quoted and the prisoner was defended with
zeal and talent. Still it is imp 'ssible, after
having heard the evidence, to doubt that he
is fairly convicted and til he will Justly
suffer on the gallows.
SECOND DISPATCH.
HoLLIDAYsBURd, May, s.-The Court
met this morning, at the usual hour, aud
was crowded to excess. The motion for
arrest of Judgment was overruled.
McKim WAS brought into Court a d as
condemned man, excited more than orji-
nary curiosity, The Judge inf rmel him
of his convict and in the ordinary form
asked him if he had anything to say why
sentence of death should not be pr nounced
upon him.
McKim rose and declared in th3 m),t
decided manner til It he was en- irely limo =
cent, and asserted tn he had been c0nyic.
ted unfairly and by means of perjury.
The judge then addressed him in a very
solemn and impressive m nner, assuring
him he had been fairly tried, ably defended
and legally convicted of the murder of his
friend and traveI ing companion, and he
then pronounced the sentence Of death.
McKim was then taken back 10 Jail TO
await the signing of the death-warrant by
the Governor.