The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-05-07
The Acauiftal of DIR. Bernard-Exci.e-
ment in London.

ment in London.
The London Tunes of the 18th ult.. has an
account of the scenes in court, at the acquittal
of DR.. Simon Bernard. 1t says:
All the more favored seats on the bench, and in
its immediate vicinity, had been occupied from an
early hour in the morning by persons of rank and
station, many of them ladies' Others as the crisis
approached, made incessant applications for even
standing room within the precincts of the court,
and the compiaisance of the ever obliging under
sheriffS was taxed to the utmost to comply with
their wishes. The members of the bar stood in
groups discussing the incidents of the trial. and
specuating on it's probable result, did also the
greater part of the audience, Ou the floor of the
court was seen, in conversation with another,
gentleman OF prepossessiDg appearance aud man.
ners, an dr0cdt of the French bar, who had de-
tended Pierri on his trial in Paris. Precisely the
clock struck four, an intimaton was given that
the jury were returning, and in an instant the
loud hum of conversation which had prevailed for
upwards of an hour subsided into profound ST.
lence. The prisoner reappeared in the dock. The
judges entered and resumed their accustomed
places on the bench, and the jury, who had been
absent for an hour and twenty minutes, answered
to their names as they were called over in the
al way, the prisoner, whose face was flushed with
emotion, looking wstfuly in the direction of the
jury box as if to discyoer by anticipation some
faint omen of his fate.
Mr.. Clark, the Clerk of Arraigus, addressing the
jury, said-Gentlemen, are you agreed upon your
vedict!
The Foreman-We are.
Mr.. Clark-How say you? Is Simon Bernard
guilty or not guilty?
The Foremau-Not guilty.
On the announcement of this decision, q scene
occurred, unexamped, perhaps, in an English tri-
bunal. From The gallery first, and then in an ia
slant 9fteraoardS from the floor Of tie court proceeded
loud shout Of emulation. The cheering ,caS again
and again reIeated-the ercitepent ,cas c0an0tsus
aud many ladies Of guilty present ,0apsd Hsir
tanderchiefS IN token OF their delight. Yainly did
the Lord Chief Justice endeavor by voice aud ges-
ture to still the tumult, and powerless the
stentorian lungs of Mr. Barker, though exerted to
the utmost, to restore silence. The prisoner, who
was extremely excited, fourished his white pock-
et-haDdkerchief over his head and several times
attempted to speak. By this time the verdict had
reached the ears of the crowd assembled outside
the Old Bailey, and the rapturous cheer which they
raised, and afterward repeated, could be distinctly
heard within the court. The Judges, unable and
perhaps unwilling to check this spontaneous ebul
Iition Of popular feeling, but yet not liking to
sanction il by their presence, rose to depart. The
look of Lord Campbell at this moment was OF itself
study Slightly rufasd at the defiance which
bad been shown to his authority, his lordship still
retained his good humor, and seemed disposed to
yield momentary homage to the p0r p0puti 1t
may be reasonably presumed that he could not
have been Indifferent TO the result OF trial In
which he had played so conspicuous part; but
whatever his feelings may have been in that re-
spect, it was impossible for spectator to divine
them from his couuteuance.
Bernard at length made a successful attempt to
he heard, and addressing the jury, said, with much
vehemence of manner
"Gentlemeu, that verdict is an expression of the
truth | am not guilty; and it proves that in Eng
land there and always will be liberty, which will
crush tyranny, whatever and wherever IL may be.
All honor to anEnglsh jury" tRenewed eheers)
The prisoner was then removed from the DOCK,
aud the applause having abated,
The Lord Chief Justice said-Let the prisoner
he brought back.
Bernard again stood at the front of the dock.
Mr. Simon, the prisoners counsel, said un-
derstand, my lords, that there is another charge
against the prisoner of u nature precisely similar
that just disposed of, and which must be tried,
if at all, upon the same evidence.
fhe Attorney General-ft Is not the intention OF
the Crown to proceed with that charge. (Renewed
cheers)
mr. Simon-Pechaps, then, my learned friend
will allow a verdict of acquttal TO be taken upon
that charge.
The Attorney General--That being the usual
though not the uniform course, shall consent 10
the verdict.
The Lord Chief Justics-That is what should
have recommended.
The jury were again sworn by the officer of the
Court, and M. Bernard looked on with some aston
ishment. 1t was, however, explained TO him that
this was merely a formal matter, aud he recovered
his sefpossessiOn.
The jury having been sworn, the clerk read the
Indictment, charging the prisoner in the same
terms as in the former case with the murder of
Eagene Riguer, who also died in consequences OF
wounds he received ON the night of the attempt on
the life of the Emperor.
b ernard pleaded mot guilty"
The Lord Chief Justice, addressing the jury, said
In this case no evidence is offered on the part
of the Crown, and you will fnd verdict Of not
guilty.
The jury returned verdict accordingly.
The risoner was then removed from the bar.
the Judges left the bench, and the audience grad
uaiiy dispersed. The jury, they ft the Cbart, es-
cortsd Jy he under SheyiBs ard proceeded to itier
hotel on Lagate hin, yeeeired an enthusiastic oratioss
from The cToscd assembled IN The Old BAILEY.