Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-05-16
THE BLAIR COUNTY MURDER
Close OF the Trial Of David >. nIcIxin, for the
Murder Of samuel T. Norcross.
HoLLIDAysBrRo, May 8.

hoiihDAfsbtht, muy o.
Yesterday morning Thaddeus Banks, ESQ
opened for the defence, commencing at th,
opening Of the Court, and ending at iittl,
after 10 o'clock. The arguments of Mr.
Banks we're characterized by shrewd reason
ing, and at times he became quite eloquent
in behalf Of the prisoner. He cited the usna
authorities-not forgetting the murder Of Mr.
Hays lin England) for which Jonathan
Bradford wrongly suf1ered--a case, believe
cited on the occasion Of every criminal trial
where conviction hinges upon circumstantiaI
evidence.
W. A Stokes, ESQ.,, for the Commonwealth
commenced at the close of Mr.. Banks plea.
He opened with beautiful exordium, and
then reviewed the history of the case, begin
ming with McKim's residence at Dunleith,
and going over the whole ground connected
with the fearful tragedy. Never have we
heard case based upon circumstantial evi-
dence handled with more legal ability than
was displayed by Mr.. Stokes in this case.
One by one he demolished the proofs set up
by the defence, until the defence itself seems
like the "baseless fabrick of vision" He
brought his remarks to close at a o'clock
having spoken just four hours, during which
time he was listened to with intense interest
by as many people as could 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. 1t was a long and elab.
crate review Of the testimony in the case,
and the strong points that told against the
prisoner were especially telling coming from,
The Court. 1t was bearly 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 charge was concluded
TuR VERDICT.
After an absence of an hour and quarter
tho Jury returned to the Court Room, which
was very much crowded. The foreman de-
livered their verdict as follows:
I'VE find the defendant, David S McKim
guilty of Murder in the First Degree, in
manner and form as indicted"
Mr.. Hotins, one Of the counsel for the de-
fence, Immediately gave notice of motion
in arrest of Judgment; but there can be lit
tie doubt that it will be overruled.
rbe prisoner was removed to the jail to
await the sentence OF the Court ana the de-
csion Of the Governor in regard to his exc
cution. So ends this trial, which has excited
on extraordinary interest in this county. 1t
mas Ottn larry aUu abIy cUHuucteu, alu loe
prisoner was defended with zeal and talent
Still it is impossible, after having heard the
evidence. to doubt that he is fairly convicted
and that he will justly suffer on the gallows
spcoyn nrsr,rru fr(
HoLlIDAYsBuEo, May s.
The Court met this morning at the usual
hour, and was crowded to excess. The mo-
ton for arrest Of judgment was overruled
McKim was brought into Court and as o
condemned man. excited more than ordinary
curiosity. The Judge informed him of his
conviction and in the ordinary form asked
him if he had anything 70 say why sentence
Of death should not BIZ pronounced upon
him.
Mex i'm rose and declared in the most deci
ded manner that he was entirely innocen,
and asserted that be had been convicted un
furly and by means of perjury.
The Judge then addressed him in very
solemn aud impressive manner, assuring him
that he had been fairly tried, ably defended
aud legally convicted of the murder of hi'
friend and travelling companion. and he tneI
proceeded to pronounce the sentence o
death
Mck i'm was then taken back to jail tt
await the signing Of the death-warraut, b,
the Governor.