New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-11-11
A CANADA MADELINE SMITH TRIAL.

The London (Canads) Prototype Of November 9,
gives the particulars Of the trial in that psce of man
named Beston and his wife, on charge of poisoning
the first husband Of the wife, whose name was Rus
sell. The trial only occupied one day, but in that
vicinity seems to have excited about much Interest
as that of Madeline Smith, in Scotland. For some
time time after the death of Russell there
picon aganst the accused but circumstances gradually
accumulated, of suspicious character the chief Of
which was the marriage of the parties soon after the
death of Russell. The ProtHype says:
From the commencement Of the trial the court
was crowded almost TO suffOcation and the most in
tense interest was manifested in the proceedings
throughout the day. The male prisoner is young
man. about Eve or Fix and twenty, and Is rather well
featured. The female prisoner is apparently thirty.
eight years Of sge, by means handsome but of ap
pearance denotDg what better class Of life thar
that to which her alleged accomplish apparently be-
lorgs She was dressed in deep mourning, and wore
vail with which, however, she lid not cover her face
during the trial. The demesnor of both prisoners in
the dock was Remarkably "nNl apd sepos.essed not
sigh, not start, not the slightest eIiouU. ose>rAd
either one the other during the heightened and
citing investigation. During the greater part Of the
day Benton leaned with his elbow upon the front of
the DECK and stared xsdy at the witnesses and jury
by turns.
the dock for several hours; night approached she
bee seated and occasionally add essed few words
TO her companion wboee attention she attracted when
| !"
handkerchief, which she held in her hand. Had she,
iIdeed studied the air aud deme anor OF Madeline
Smith, when upon her trial for a somewhat similar
crime che could not have acted the part OF that cee-
brated parsonage with mere fidelity and effect The
trial lasted from halfpast eleven O'Clock until near
misIight."
The chief points Of evidence against the accused are
thus stated in the closing plea for the Crown:
"There was every reason TO suppose that the pris
oners INDUCED in Illicit love during the lifetime OF
Russell that this supplied motive for the commission
of the crime and which motive was rendered tho more
apparent by the marriage Of Beston to Mrs. Russell
few days after the death Of her husband Daring the
learned ccunses speech, be brought prominently IN
der the notice Of jury what was said by Beaton appa
rsptly In nii,pation Of kusses death the question
put by the female prisoner, relative to the properties
Of seric &c the fact Of her leaving her bed at the
dead of night talk to Beaon privately; the fact OF
her being giving the deceased something TO drink
under suspicious circumstances; and her uafeei,ng
corouct while her husband on the pon. Of death.
Mr.. Beecher dwslt inpIessively and at much lengtn
ON these and other points Of evidence, and concluded
bis address by pointing out to the jury the EVIL esc.
upon society where such disboical crimes - that
charged against the prisoners were allowed 10 go un
punished"
TIE Jury, after being out al night, returned the
following verdict
THAT we find the prisoners guilty Of the snme'
according TO the circumstaltal evidence ana recon-
mend them to mercy
The prisoners did not bstray the slightest emotion a.
the announcement Of the verdict.