Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-28
60lortcster Daily Spp,
THRILLING SCENE IN A JURY ROOM


my business to serve upon "Me jury" | plead
in all manner of ways for a release, but to no
effect / could not swear that ! was deaf, nor
blind, nor yet non compOS, but did say that
had already formed an opinion. They asked
me it my opinion would prevent me from re
ceivng the testimony in good faith and render.
ing a verdict according to it. | replied that OF
course should weigh the evidence carefully
and be governed by it, | was then informed
that "wOuld do.
The case to be- tried was one of arson-thcn
capital Oiitnse-and the prisoner at the bar
was a young man named Charles Ambold,
whom | had known from boyhood and who,
was naturally one OF the finest youths OF the
town where he resided. He had 81 widowed
mother, who depended upon him los support,
and his circle OF friends was large and choice
| was morally certain that he did not commit
the crime, and hence, | am sure, those who
were friendly to him got me on The panel, and
had me retained.
The trial commenced, and we twelve men
took our SEATS in the jury box. | had very
respectable set with me--Ouly there was one
man whom ! didn't like TO see til, re. This
man was MOutOn Warren. He was il dark.
faced, sinislcr-Iooking tcl.ow-at least to me.
| know that young AmboId had no fault. lie
had recently been addicted to drink, aud had
been known to visit disrepuIahle houses 1t
was one OF those houses that had been burned,
for setting fire to which he had been appre
hpndcd.
Now had often tried TO persuade Charles
AmhOld from the course he was persuing. He
had repeatedly promised me that he would
reform, and as repeatedly had he broken
away. ] had often talked to him oi his poor
mother until he had wcpt like a child, but the
effect was not lasting. Thure wa, power of
temptation more effective than any influence |
could Weld. He would tall away INTO this
evil companouship. and for a while his man.
hood was gone One or two abandoned wO.
men had gained great power over him, and
upon them he wasted much OF his substance.
And | knew that this very man who was
now uV0n The iuTy--this MOutOn Warren
was the one who had done more than all
others TO lead the poor youth away. 1t was
Warren who had drank with him, and who
had led him away 10 those abumlnable haunts
OF sin and pollution. Why was he upon the
jury could only account Tor it upon The
ground tlaI Charles still supposed INN to be
his ii,ud. ltr poor scorchod insect was still
iguolant nt tho fl ne that s@orchcd him He
really beloved that Moulton Warren was his
friend
Theitrial commenced. The Indictment set
forth that Charles Ambold had, with malice
and feIonious intents, sci fire to certain dwell
ing house, thereby endangcIiug human lite.
This dwelling as | have already iutima,cd,
was a low sink oil iniquily where the abandon
ed OF both sexes were wont to Congrcgatp, and
where the youthful prisoner had spent much
of his time.
The evidence for the prosecution came ON
and | was startled. One after another gave in
their testimony, some Of them very reluctant
ly, and was frightened when | saw how
plainly it all pointed out to the prisoner rs the
guilty party. Several credible Witnesses swore
that they had heard him threaten 10 burn the
house down, and others had heard him say
repeatedly that he wished it was burned
down Then came several witnesses--lmce
OF the prominent CtiZcns--whO say him LUX
ing about tic premises on the night OF the
fire.
With regard to the provocation on the prs-
oner's part, it was proved upon his own adms-
sion, that he had been i'll treated there and
that he had sworn to have revenge. And
furthermore it was proved that he had been
heard to say that his salvation ui soul and
body depended upon the destruction Of that
house. Next came testimony stronger still.
The fire had been set in a back basement
room. where shavings aud other stuff for kind.
ling were kept. Entrance had been gained
through a back window, which had been
partly pried open with stout knife. This
basement wall was brick, and beneath the
sash was the blade Of a knife which had been
broken off in trying to raise the sash. The
blade was recognized as belonging TO the
prisoners knife. y maker OF cutlery had
made knife to order for Almond only month
previous and he knew the blade at once, and
swOre to it.
But this was not ALL The fire had bcene
first IN "a Ia