The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-11-11

TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF pRrsoNrRs IN CaxAn. -
The London Canada Prototype, Of November ID
gives the particulars of the trial In that pace
man named Beaton and his wife, on charge Of
poisoning the first husband Of the wife. vhose
name was Russell The trial only occupied one
dsy, but In that vicinity seems to have excited
ABOUT as much interest as that of Madeline Smith.
IN scotland. For some time after the death of Rus
sell, there was no suspicion against the accused
but circumstances gradually accumulated of a sus
picious Character, the chief Of which was the mar
rage Of the parties after the death of Russell
The Prototype says
from the commencement of the trial, the court
WAS crowded almost 10 snffecati0p, and the uost
intense interest was manifested in the proceedip
throughout the day The male prisoner Is a Young
man about five or six and twenty aud Ia rather
Neii featured. The female prisoner is apparently
some thrty-eight years of age by no means ba nd.
some, OUT OF appearance denoting a somewhat bet
ter class OF life than that to which her alleged ac
eoinpiice apparently belongs. She was dressed in
deep mourning, and wore veil with which how
ever, she did not her face during the trial =
The demeanor of both prisoners in the dock wa.
remarkably cool and selfpossessed: not a sinh. NOT
start nor the slightest emotion escaped either
one or the other during the heightened and excit-
ing investigation. During the greater mart ~ n
day, Beaton leaned with his elbow upop the Front
oil the dock and stared xedly at the witnesses nd
jury by turns
, Inc woman remained standing in the middle of
the dock for several hours: as night approached
she became seated aud occasionally addressed n
ie" words TO her companion, whose attention she
attracted when wishing to speak to him by gently
shaking white handkerchief which she held in
nef hand Had she, indeed, stu uiicd the air and
deheanor OF Madeline Smith, when unon her trial
'ot somewhat similar crime, she couId NOT have
acteu the part OF that celebrated parsonage with
more hdeilty and effect The trial lasted from
haii-past eleven o'clock until near midnight,
The chief points of evidence against the occpsed
are thus stated in the closing plea for the crown.
ihere was every reason to suppose that the nri
sohers indniged in Illicit love during the life time
OF RUSSELL that this supplied motive for the cnu,
mission OF the crime, and which motive WAS rem
deTed the more apparent by the marrisge of Bea-
ton TO Mrs. Russell few days after the death If
ner husband. During the learned counsel's sneech
no Drought prominently under the notice of the
Jury what was said by Beaton, apparently in an
tlclpation of Russells death; the questinn mn. hx
the ienale prisoner relative to the properties 81
a'shlc- &c. the TACT of her leaving her bed ,t ,ha
dtad OF night 10 talk to Beaton privately the fact
oi hTr being seen giving the deceased sometime
u drlhk under suspicious circumsta tauces: ami h.1
uhtteltng conduct while her husband was on rhe
point OF death. MIR Beecher dealt imp -essiyel,
aai at much length on these aud Ter noints -,
e. aeLce, aud conc uded his aGdt by pointing
out to the jury the evil effect upon society where
such diabolica crimes as that ch .et against the
prisoners were allowed to go unpuuished
jury, after being out all night returned tho
io!o"ihs verdict: THAT We find the pri ou-r,
euty OIL the CRIME acco dirg 10 the crcuns saItiai
eFlCen q, and recommend them to mercyD
The prisoners did not betray the slightest emo
Ton ut the announcement IF the verdict
- = vTrga-