Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1858-01-20
A SCENE IN A JURY ROOM.
"a Thrilling Story.

@ I once had the extreme felicity of Ieav-
ing my business TO serve 'upon the jury
plead in all manner of ways for release,
but TO no effect.
Lcould not swear that | was deaf nor
blind, nor yet non compos; but did tell
them that had already formed an opin-
ion. They asked me if my npinion would
prevent me from receiving the testimony
in good faith, and rendering verdict ac-
eording TO it. | replied that of course I
should weigh the evidence carefully, and
be governed by it. / was then informed
thnt would do
The case to be tried was one Of arson
then capital offence aud the prisoner at
the bar was young man named Charles
Ambold; whom ] had known from boy
hood, aud who was naturally one of the
finest youths Of the town where he resided.
lie had widowed mother who depended
upon him for support, and his circle of
friends was large and choice. was mor>
ally certaih that he did not commit the
crime, and hence, am sure, those who
were friendly to him got me on the panel
and succeeded in having me retained.
The trial commenced, and we twelve
mentook our seats in the jury box. ihad
avery respectable set with me-oniy there
was one man whom did not like to see
there. This was Moulton Warren. He
was q very dark faced sinister-looking
man-at least TO me. | knew that young
Ambold had one fault. He had recently
been addicted 10 drink, and had been
known to visit disreputable houses. 1t
was one OF those houses that had been
burned, for setting FIRE TO which he had
been apprehended.
Now I had often tried 60 persuade
Charles Ambold from the course he was
pursuing. He had frequently promised
me that he would reform and as repeatedly |
had he broken away. had often talked
to him Of his poor mother, until he wept
like child; bur the effect was not lasting,
There was a power Of temptation more
effective than any influenced could WELD.
He would fall away into this evil com
panionship and for while his manhood
was gone. sne ortwo abandoned women
had gained great power over him, and
HpQp lhena ne wasted mnch Of hls subs
tances
And / knew that this very man who was
now on the iury--tlIis MouIton Warren
was the one who had done more than all
tie rest ID lead the poor youth away. It
was Warren who had drank with him,
and who had led him away to those abs
pmiaable haunts Of sin and pollution.
Why was he upon the jurya ] could only |
account for it upon the ground that Char.
ley still supposed him 10 be bis friend.
The pooF scorched insect was still igno-
rant ofthe aame that scorched him. He1
really believed that Warren was his
friend.
1he trial commenced. The indictment
aet toFlll that Charles Arnbold had, with q
nance afoEethought, and with all sorts of
wicked and teloniOns intents, set FIRE TO g
ceflain dwelling house, thereby endanger- i
ing human life. This dwelling, as have
already lntlmated, was low sink of ins /
Equity, where the shandoued of both sexes
Wefe wont 70 congregate. and where the
lime. az
s he evidence for the prosecution came {
oa, and ! was startled. One after another i
gaye intheIr testimony some of Them very j
Eel0esansIys and was frightened when / q
saH DOW plaialy il an pointed ID the pris>
Oaef as sas guilty party. Several credible 5
Witnesses :, sWore that they had heard him i
threaten to burn the house down. and Z
otqefs nad beard say repeatedly that he
sished i was burned down. Then came il
'essE witnesses .Ghfee 81 them uroni. i