The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-27
La w INTELLIGENCE.
TRIAL OF PETER CORRIE
AT TOWSONTOWN,
FOR THE MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER
RIGDON.
GUILTY OF MURDER IN THE FIRST DE GREE
TWELFTH DAY.

TowsoNTowN, January 28th, 1852
CIRCUIT COURT BALTIMORE CoUNTY.-Hon John
H. Price, Judge. Richard J. Cuttings, Esq, States At
torney prosecuting. Assisted by Arthur l.. Machen Esq
William z. Preston, Esq, for the defence.
State Peter Corre, indicted for the murder police
officer Robert NJ Rgdon, by shooting him with pistol,
Immediately the opening of the Court this
ing Messrs Boarman and Grayson called the attention of
the Judge the of George B. Ward alias Foote Will
kns indicted upon the charge of having effected bur-
garous entrance into Barnum Hotel and stealing there
from quantity ofewery and clothing They represented
that the accused had been confined in Jail for the past
years awaiting the action of the State and that the
peated applications for trial had been totally dIsre
garded.
Mr.. Cuttings informed the Court that the State had
sought to try the two several occasions but had
at the request of the prisoner stayed all proceedings He
remarked that the prisoner should be the last
complain about the hardness Of his trial. though he
had been in Jail two years
The Judge thought that if it possible the State
should proceed try the practicable
Mr.. Cuttings then said that if the States witness
could not be brought to the trial Of the this he
would order Ste to be entered and the prisoner dis
charged.
At halfpast ten o'clock of the BaiGs came into
Court and spoke to the Judge in low tone of voice
Judge Price-"Gentemen, the Bailif tells me the
Jury have agreed Mr. Sheriff. bring Peter Corre out and
place him at the bar"
At this announcement every in the Court room
took positions from which sight of the prisoner could be
had and there much whispering and conjecuring
to the result of the Jury's deliberations.
After the lapse of some ten minutes it being
y minutes of eleven O'Clock, Peter Corre brought
into the Courtro and placed the bar. The jury fol
lowed almost Immediately AFTER their couptenances evn
cling deep emotion.
AS as the Jury were seated Judge Price said to
those in the Courtroom that matter what the verdict
should be he desired that it should be received respect
fully and in silence there should be demonstration of
any kind in the Courtroom He then desired the jury
be called, which done by the Clerk.
This over, the Clerk and said
Gentlemen of the Jury, have you agreed upon your
verdict?r
Jurors-"we have"
Clerk-"Who shall say for your"
Jurors-"0ur Foreman"
Clerk-'Peter Corie. stand up; hold right
hand. Gentlemen of the Jury, what say you-s Peter
Core guilty Of the matter whereof he stands indicted
not guilty?''
Foreman (rising)-"Guty"
Judge Price and Mr. Cuttings, simultaneousy-"Guilty
of WHAT"
Foreman-"Guilty of murder in the first degree"
Mr. Preston, with emotion. ~ desire, your Honor
Judge Price.-The Clerk will call the jury and each
will state his verdict when his name is called"
Clerk.-"Edward Stiefel."
Juror.-"Guilty of murder in the first degreen
Cerk.-"Wam Stewart
Juror.-"Guity of murder in the first degree
Cerk.-"John X. Smith"
Juror-"Your Honor, am constrained by crcum-
stances which surround to state that wish save
the prisoners life.'
Mr.. Gittings-"Let the juror state his verdictn
Judge Price.-"State your verdict"
Mr. Preston (much affected. - If the Court pleases
think it but just that the juror should be allowed to state
the circumstances under which he renders his verdict if
there any doubt in his mind about the circumstances
that doubt My wish is spare prisoner
let the juror say what circumstances control him
Judge Price.-"The juror will state his verdict
Juror-My Verdictis, guilty of murder in the first de-
gree wish to the prisoners life express
the State.n
The Jurors verdict recorded The Clerk continued
JJuror-!.Gui!ty of murder in the first degree"
Juror.-'Guilty OF murder In tile first degree with a
recommendation to mercy
The clerk then called the of Oliver Cash, VIM
ID. Butler, John s. Ensor, Aquilla Galloway, Jacob
Shanck. Shadrck Sparks and Francis Potee who seve
rally rose and stated their verdict, in clear audible
voice, to be guilty of murderin the first degree,n
Judge Price-(to the Clerk. )-"Record the verdict"
After pause
Cerk.-'Gentlemen of the Jury hearken to your YER
dict as the Court has recorded it. Your says that
Peter Corrie guilty of murder in the first degree-and
so say you ALL
The Jurors nodded assent.
AS soon as the verdict recorded the prisoner who
had evinced scarcely any emotion, removed from
the bar, and the Jury discharged by the Court
There were no immediate relatives of the prisoner in
the Courtroom upon the rendition of verdict His
brother Dr. Corrie was present on the opening of the
Court but retired after announced that the jury
had agreed. His mother who had been Towsontown
during the continuance of the trial. returned the city
on Tuesday evening.
Witnesses in the of the State against Lambert in.
dicted for an assault with intent to kill his wife and
daughter, discharged until Tuesday morning next
The case of Elcton, charged with the murder of a
negro man named VIM. Ramsay, was removed on aft
davit to an adjoining county
State Us. Thomas Wooden, indicted for keeping dis
orderly house. Verdict of mot guilty. Boarman for
OF Jewery the property of Mrs. Johnson arragned
and pleaded mot guilty" Having counsel the Court
appointed Mr.. Boarman.
John Wiseman Ia youth) indicted for the murder of
John T. Farlow, (aso YOUTH by shooting him with a
pistol on the 9Th day of July last arraigned and
pleaded mot guilty" The occurrence place at Can
ton; the deceased was of pic party and the ac-
cused was with club of young dressed fantasia
cay, who landed from schooner and approached the
ground of the pic mic when the alteration took place
The trial was fixed for next Monday week. WIN. P.
Preston for the defence
a ne in he ~ Mario
will be argued Friday morning, by Richard L. Cit
tngs ESQ, States Attorney for the State and VIM H.
Cowan, Esq. for the prisoner.
The Court adjourned until tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock