Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-02
GN0ttester Dailp Spp
A Recent Trial 2. the Old Bailey Ia Lon


d0n-AHecting Scene.
George Hammond, portrait painter, was
placed at the bar, to be tried on an indictment
found against himself by the grand jury, for
the willtul murder, with malice throughout,
ofGeorge Baldwin, rope dancerand 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 resigna-
ton. He was Al years of age, had a soft
voice, and his appearance and manner bore
evidence of his being a 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, he did not believe him
self guilty. Thereupon jury was impannel-
ed 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
defense.
The prisoner then addressed himself to the
court and jury;
''My lord, said he, 'my justification is to
be found in a 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 recall to Himself. | lost
her, but did not see her die. She disap-
peared-she was stolen from me. She was
charming child, and but her had nobody in
the world to love me. Gentlemen, what l
have suffered cannot be described; you can
not comprehend it, had expended in adver-
Using and fruitless searches everything l pos
sessed-turniture, pictures, even tomy clothes.
All have been sold. For three years on foot
had been seeking for my ehildin all the cities
and all the villages in the three kingdoms. As
soon as by painting portraits | had succeeded
In gaining little money, l returned to Lon
don to commence my advertisements in the
newspapers. AT length, on Friday, the nth
of April last, l crossed the Smithfield cattle
market. In the center of the market troupe
of mountebanks were performing their feats.
Among them a child turning on its head sup
ported on halberd. A ray from the soul of
its mother must have penetrated my own, for
me to have recognized my child in that condi-
ton. 1t was my poor child. Her mother
would perhaps have precipitated herself to-
ward me, and locked herself in her arms. As
for me vail passed over my eyes. [ knew
not how it was-I, habitually gentle, even to
weakness, seized him by the clothes-I raised
him in the air, then dashed him to the ground
then again; he was dead. Afterward, re-
peated what | had done. At that moment
regretted that l was able to kill but one"
Lord-Chief-j justice Tindale-"These are
not christian sentiments. How can you expect
the court and jury to look with favor on your
defense, or God to pardon you, if you cannot
forgive"
Prisoner-''I know, my lord, what will be
your judgement, and that of the jury; but God
has pardoncd me; l feel it in my heart. You
know not, L knew not then, the whole extent
of the evil that man had done. When some
compassionate people brought me my daugh-
ter in prison. she was no longer my child, she
was no longer pure and angelic as formerly;
she was corrupt, body and soul-her manner,
her language, infamous, like those with whom
she had been living. l did not recognize her
myself. Do you comprehend now? That
man had robbed me of the love and soul of
my child. And II have killed him but
once"
Foreman-''My lord, we have agreed on
our verdict.
ChiefJustice-'I understand you, gentle
men, but the law must take its course. must
sum up the case, and then you will retire to
deliberate
The chief justice having summed up the
case, the jury retired, and in an instant after
ward returned into court with a verdict of
''Not guilty"
On discharge of Hammond, the sheriff was
obliged to surround him with an escort. The
women were determined to carry him off in
triumph. The crown followed him all the
way to his lodgings with deatening shouts and
huzzas.