Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-07-10

A RECENT TRIAL AT THE OLD BAILEY, LON
DoN-AFFECTING SCENE.-George Hammond,
q portrait painter was to be tried on an indct-
ment found against him by the grand Jury, for
the wiful murder with malice aforethought, of
George Baldwin, rope dancer and mounte-
bank. The prisoner was \ man of medium
height, but slender form. His eyes were blue
and mild. His whole bearing gave evidence of
subdued sadness and melancholy resignation.
lie was fl years of age had a soft voice, and
his appearance and manner, gave evidence of
being man of distinguished education, in
spite of the poverty of his dress.
On being called out to plead, the prisoner
admitted that he did kill Baldwin, and he de-
plored the act, adding, however that on his
soul and conscience be did not believe himself
guilty. Thereupon jury was impaneed to
try the prisoner. The Indictment was then
read to the jury and the act of killing being
admitted, the Government rested their case,
and the prisoner was called upon for his de-
fence.
The prisoner then addressed himself to the
court and jury:
"My lord" said he "my justification is to be
found in the recital of the facts. Three years
ago | lost a daughter, then four years of age,
the sole memorial of a beloved wife, whom it
had pleased God to call to Himself lost her,
but ! did not see her die. She disappeared
was stolen away from me- She was charming
child, and but her l had nobody in the world to
love me. Gentlemen, what have suffered can
not be described; you cannot comprehend it.
| have expended in advertising and fruitless
searches everything | possessed-furniture,
pictures, even to my clothes All have been
sold. For three years on foot | have been
seeking for my child in all the villages in three
kingdoms As soon as, by painting portraits,
had succeeded in gaining little money, re-
turned to London, to commence my advertise
ments in the newspapers. At length, on Fri
day, the l4th of April last, crossed the Smith
field cattle mark ct. In ths centre of the mar
ket troup of mountebanks were performing
their feats. Among them was child turning
on its head supported on halbered. ray
from the soul of its mother must have penetra-
ted my own, for me to have recognized my
child in that condition. 1t was my poor child.
Her mother would, perhaps, have precipitated
herself toward her, and locked herself in her
arms AS for me veil passed over my eyes.
l knew how it was-I, habitually gentle, even
to weakness, seized him by the cothes-I seized
him in the air, then dashed him to the ground
then again he was dead. Afterward l re-
pented what had done. At the moment |
regretted that was able to kill but one."
Lord Chief Justice Tindale-These are not
Christian sentiments How can you expect the
court and jury to look with favor on your de-
fence, or God TO pardon you, if you cannot for
givep
Prisoner-I know, my lord, what will be
your Judgment, and that of the jury but God
has pardoned mel feel it in my heart You
know not / knew not then, the whole extent ot
the evil that had been done. When some COM
passionate people brought me my daughter in
the prison, she was no longer my child she
was no longer pure and angelic as former
ly; she was corrupt, body and soul-her Ian
guage infamous like those with whom she had
been living. did not recognize her myself
DO you comprehend nowP That man had rob
bed me of the love and soul of my child And
IL have killed him but once.
Foreman--My lord, we have agreed on our
verdict.
Chief Justice-I understand you, gentlemen
but the law must take its course. | must sum
up the case and then you will retire to deiber-
ate.
The Chief Justice having summed up the
case the jury retired, and ir instant after re-
turned to the court with a verdict Of "Not
guilty" -
On the discharge of Hammond, the sheriff
was Obliged to surround him with an escort.
The women were determined to carry him of
in triumph The crowd followed him all the
way to his lodgings. with deafening shouts and
huzzas.