Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-05-06

GuILFoRD SUPERIOR CorRr-Last week our Supe-
ror Court was in session, his Honor Romuius NJ.
Saunders presiding. Blu. little done the civil
docket,-only one day. Tuesday, being devoted to
civil auditors. The balance of the week from We'd
nesGay morning until after dark Friday evening,
occupied in the trial of Romuus S. Chapman,
charged with the murder of Martha Pink, young
girl about twenty years DID, who found dead on
the Goth of last October shot through the head and
with her throat cut Great feeling and excitement
prevailed at the time of the murder, and the large
plumber of people who crowded the court house Gu-
ring the three days OF the trial made it evident, that
the matter had created deep interest in the com.
muny
The prisoner seemed very calm and collected du-
ring the whole trial. and not a muscle of his face
seemed to move during any part of the testimony,
though part eli the dress of the deceased cx-
hibted the trial, dyed with her blood. The pros
ecntion was conducted by Mr.. Ruiin, the Solicitor,
and J. r. Mclean Esq. Messrs. Gimer and James
L. Morehead appeared as counsel for the prisoner;
both the prosecution and defence was conducted
with marked ability. The evidence was entirely
crcumsantial, consisting of great number of cir
cumstances so linked together, that the mind
irresstaby brought to the conclusion that the prs-
oner did the murdcrous deed. 1t was shown that
the deceased had lived the house of the prisoners
frher; had left about six months before she was
killed, and post norton examination made it evil
dent that the deceased was about six months gone
with child. 1t was also shown that about two weeks
before the murder the prisoner received a letter
from the deceased, which irrtated him and disres.
sed him very much-that he told his room mate,
that il the contents of that letter true ard he
feared they werc he should have to leave the State.
as it would disgrace him. On the day before the
MURDER he at the house Of the deceased, riding
horse of Dr. Gardner's, the tracks of this horse,
was asceItained from the shoes examination,
were found close BY the spot of the murder At
one o'clock the prisoner left home with shot gun,
objected to any person going with him, and when
last seen going in the direction of the fatal spot
He returned at four O'Clock, when fist seen,
walking very fast, and was completely exhausted.
In answer to where he had been he said that he
had been running around a tree trying to shoot
squirrel. and that he had spent most OF the even
ing at Mr.. Recess. 1t was then shown that he had
been at Mr.. Recess but ten minutes about one
o'clock Tracks were found the dead body
and along the route from Recess to the body, which,
when measured, corresponded with the boots Of the
prisoner
The above the leading circumstances in the
case; many others. were proved, unimportant in
themselves, but when taken in connection with
other facts, told with great power against the prs
oner. The prisoner attempted 70 show that deceas-
ed was girl of bad character; but in this he en-
trev failed Some bruises and scratches were found
upon the person of deceased and attempt was
made to lead the jury to infer that some one had
violated her, and then mu dered her to conceal his
crime, and if such was the fact that of the
prisoner was not guilty, aledged that he
had any necessity to resort to violence of that kind.
The argument of counsel occupied nearly all FRI
day. His Honor gave very clear and able charge.
The jury retired about o'clock at night and about
9, returned with a verdict of guilty.
On Saturday sentence of death was pronounced
against the prisoner; from the judgment of the
court he prayed an appeal.
Greensboro Patriot