Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-05-30


the house, and that figure holding the lighi
was seen to go from the room in which the
prisoner slept. to the house-kecper's room
the light now disappeared for minute
when two persons were seen, but whether
they went into Ihompson's room, the wit
ness could not swear; but shortly after,
they we're observed to pass quite through
the entry to Smith room, into which they
entered, aud in about five minutes the light
was cxtinguished.
The witness would further state, that af-
ter the person had returned with the light
into Smiths room, and before it was extin-
gGishcd lie had twice perceived some dark
object to intervene between the light and
the window, almost as large as the surface
of the window itself, and which he deserib-
ed by saying it appeared as if door had
been placed before the light. Now, in
Smith room there was nothing that could
account for this appearance, and there was
Mother cupboard nor press in tie room,
which but for the bed, was entirely empty :;
the room in which he dressed being Il dis
/ tanee beyond it.
The counsel for the prosecution here con-
cluded what he had to say. During his adj
dress, Smith in no wise appeared to be agi-
tated or distressed-and equally unmoved
while the witness testified in substance what
the opening speech of the counsel led the
court and the jury to suspect.
Lord Mansfield now addressed the jury
He said, that in his opinion the evidence
was not sufficient to condemn the prisoner,
and if the jury agreed with him in opinion
he would discharge him. Without leaving
their seats, the jury agreed that the evil
denee was not sufficient.
At this moment, when they were about
to render verdict of acquittal the prison.
er rose and addressed the court. lie said he
had been accused of foul crime, and the ju-
ry had said there was no sufficient evidence
against him. Was he to 90 out of court
with suspicious resting upon him, after all ?
| This he was unwilling to do. lie was an
innocent man, and if the Judge would grant
him the opportunity, he would prove it.
lie would call the housekeeper, who would
confirm statement which he would now
make.
The housc-kceper had not appeared IN
count. She had concealed herself or had
been concealed by Smith. This was con-
Isidered dark sign against him. but he
himself now offered to bring her forward,
and stated as a reason, not that he was not
wiling that she should testify, but, knowing
the excitement, he was fearful that she
would be brbed to give testimony contrary
to fact, But he was now ready to relate all
~ ~ 10, L.,
called and examined. If her testimony
does not confirm my story, let me be con-
dcmned
! The request of the prisoner appeared rea-
sonable, and Lord Mansfield, contrary to
his usual practice, granted IT,
The prisoner went on with his statement
He said he wished to go ont Of the court,
relieved from the suspicious which were res
ting upon him, As to the poison, by
means Of which the stranger was said to
have died he knew neither the name of it,
nor even the existence of it, until made
known by the counsel lie could call God
to witness the truth of what he said
And then, as to Mr.. Thompson, he was
perfect stranger to him How should he
know what articles of value he had He
did not know. IL lie had such articles at
llull he might have left them on the road
cor which was more probable. have other
wise disposed of them. Md if he died by
means Of the fatal drug, he must have adj
mnistered it himself
lie begged the jury To remember that his
premises had been repeatedly, and minute
ly searched, aud not the most trifing article
that belonged to the deceased had been dis
covered i'll his possession. The stopper ola
vial had been found-bdt Of this he could
only say, he had no knowledge, and had
not SCENT before it was produced in court.
One fact had been proved, and only one
That he would explain, and his houso-keep-
or would confirm the statement. 4 witness
had testified that some one had gone to the
bedroom of the housekccper on the nj ght in
question. He was ready to admit that it
was himself. He had been subject for much
of his life to sudden fits of illness, he had
been seized with one ON that occasion. and
had gone to procure her ASST stance in light
ing fire. She had return ed with him to
his room for that purpose, he having waited
for minute in the passage, while she put
on her clothes. This would account for the
momentary disappearance ofthe light AZ
ter remaining few minutes in his room,
and finding himself better, he had dismiss
ed her, and retired to bed, from which he
had not risen whca be was informed of the
death of the guest,
Such was the prisoners address which
produced powerful effect. 1t was deliv-
cred in firm and impressive manner, and
from the simple and artless manner of the
man, perhaps not one present doubted his
entire innocence.
The housekeeper was now introduced and
examined by the counsel Of the prisoner
She had not heard any part of the state
ment of Smith, nor single word of the tri-
al Her story confirmed all he had said
To this succeeded for eross-examination
by the counsel for the prosecution. One
circumstance had made deep impression
ON his mind-that was, that while the pris-
oner and the housekoeper were in the room
of the former, something like door had oh
stracted the light of the candle, so that the
witness testified to the fact, but could not
see 1t. What was this obstruction =
There was no door-nothing in the room
which could account for this, But the wit,
ness was positive that something like door
III e., , ,,omont cn1aa baf,yoan tho window,