The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-04-28
of the Sickles Case.
AOOUIITAL OF THE PRISONER /!


the Siekles case was concluded, 50 fer as
The evidence was concerned. The Hsrald's
correspondent gives the following account Of
the days proceedings:
WAsBnGros, April ~
The Judge, jury and public were all in
court this morning some twenty minutes
before the prosecuting counsel appeared.
One or two witnesses were put on the stand,
evidently to gain time, for the prosecution
seemed at . stand still, and suddenly the
District Attorney disappeared, which put
regular stay to all proceedings. When the
District Attorney came back there was
conference between him and Mr.. Brady.
When both gentlemen advanced and held
conference with the Judge, the jury and
public were on the gu, Vivs to know what
WAS going on, and the reporters for the first
time were nonplussed. At last the Judge,
amid profound silence said that certain ev.
dence had been submitted to him privately
by the prosecution to know if be thought it
admissible. His opinion was clearly that
it was not. 1t was amusing to see the puz.
lied look OF the jury, who had been eagerly
watching to know what was going on, and
who were destined never to ascertain what
the mysterious evidence consisted Of. 1t
was copjectured that it had something to do
with the supposed antecedents of Mr..
Sickles, which certainly had nothing TO do
with the case, and it was wondered at that
the prosecution could even privately offer
such idle gossip 10 evidence against man
SO unfortunate as the prisoner is admitted
to be.
After this incident the prosecution de-
clared they had one or two witnesses non est
inventus, and proposed to adjourn. MIR.
Brady objected to this unreasonable delay,
and said be was willing to submit the case
at once to the jury. 1t was observed that
the jury were almost disposed to hurrah at
this proposition, 20 anxious are they to es-
cape from their long imprisonment. The
prosecution said they would go to the jury
after arguing their instructions on law
points. 1t is the custom Of this benighted
District for lawyers on both sides to argue
before the jury, instead Of the Judge per-
forming this important duty, as in England
and New York. Tomorrow short dis
cussion will therefore ensue on the law sp-
picable to the case, according TO the views
Of the prosecution and defence, when the
case will be submitted to the jury, who will
probably make short work of the verdict.
At the close OF tho court some Of Mr..
Sickles devoted friends bid him adieu, and
he seemed to be SO deeply affected as to
weep. There is no doubt that bis nervous
system is completely shattered by the suffer.
ings and anxiety be has undergone. To-
morrow. then, will probably be the last day
OF this absorbing trial.
Reverdy Johnson was in court all day,
and seemed to be comforting with both sides,
In am,eus eur,e. His influence no doubt
was highly useful.
A painful scene occurred at the time Of
the adjournment. Mr.. Hart, who has been
unremittng in acts Of kindness TO Mr..
Sickles stree the melancholy occurrence,
and who has been constantly by his side
comforting and sustaining him, was forced
to leave for New York this afternoon. On
taking leave Of each other, both exhibited
the deepest emotion, Mr.. Sickles almost
fainting in the dock.
An act Of reconciliation between counsel
took place in the Court about the same
time Mr.. Stanton came up to Mr.. Ould
and made an apology for any harsh remarks
he had made use Of 10 tho progress OF the
case. Mr.. Ou!d frankly accepted the apollo
gy. and expressed bis pleasure at the resto-
ration Of amicable relations.
There is q good deal OF scandal current
about town affecting the character and rep
utation OF others beside the principal actors
in this drama. II would be improper, how
ever, to give the various stories publicity.
1t is also currently reported that the jury
made mp their minds week ago. This may
account for the remarkable weakness mani.
tested oy the prosecution in their testimony
and also for the unanimous disposition TO
dispense with the summing up speeches.
On Saturday, the defence and prosecution
presented the instructions they asked tie
Court to give the Jury. The following
were the Instructions proposed TO be sub
mitted for the prosecution
II the Jury believe from the evidence IN this
whole case that the prisoner on the day named
In the Indictment, and in the county OF Wash
ington Aforesaid. killed the said Philip Barton
Key. by discharging at. against and into the
body Of him, the said Philip Barton Key. a pis
toll or pistols loaded with gunpowder aud ball,
thereby giving him . Mortal wound or wounds
and that such killing was the wllf1i and inten
tional act Of the prisoner, and was induced by
the belief tina. the said deceased had sedueed
his, the prisoners, wife, and on some day or
days. or for any period, dehnIte or indefinite,
prior TO the day OF such killing, had sd1lierogs
intercourse with the sad wife. and that the
prisoner was not provoked 10 soeh killing by
any assault or offer Of violence then used aud
there made by the deceased upon or agsns,
him, then such willfgl and Intentional killing. II
found by the Jury. upon all The fact. and cir.
eumstalcss gwen in evidence, il murder. Bat
such killing cannot be found 10 have been uiil
ful and intentional the sense Of tbs insuuc.
ton II Is shall have been proven TO the satsfse-
ton Of the Jury. upon the whole evidence
sforesaid, that the prisoner uas In fact insane
81 the time % such killing.
The tolloviDg were presented b. the d.
fence:
Ia. rLsr.l.no prs.umutOn % malice n III.