Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-29

mtulcdi NELL NtAt loilOWeu tue o'iuoiSo
as TO the finding Of the knife in the bed
room of the deceased; the discovery Of
the murtgaged deed, and the large sum
Of money, in the prisoners sleeping
apartment; the finding the key of the
back door in the male prisoners pocket;
and his demeanor and expressions on
the night OF the preparation of the crime.
In his cross-examinaton of the constable
several facts perfectly new to me were
elected by the very able counsel for the
prisoners. Their attorney hed judicious-
Iy maintained the strictest secrecy as to
the nature of the defence, so that il now
took me completely by surprise. The
constable, in reply to questions by coun-
sci, stated that the pockets of the de-
ceased were empty; that not only his
purse, but a gold watch, chain, and seals,
which be usually wore, had vanished,
and no trace of them had as yet been
discovered. Many other things were
also missing. A young man of the name
of Pearce, apparently sailor, had been
seen in the village once or twice in the
company of Mary Strugnell: but he did
not notice what sort of bat he generally
wore he had not seen Pearce since the
night the crime was committed had not
sought for him.
Mary Strugnell was the next witness.
She repeated her previous evidence with
precision and apparent sincerity, and
then | abandoned her with a mixed feel
ing of anxiety and curiosity, to the coun-
sci for the defence. A subtle and able
cross-examination Of more than two
hours duration followed and at its con-
cusion, / felt that the case for the prose-
cusion was so damaged, that a verdict Of
condemnation was, or ought to be, out
of the question. The salient points
dwelt upon, and varied in every possible
way, in this long sitting, were these:-
"What was the reason she did not re-
turn in the evening in question to her
aunt's to supper as usual? p
" She did not know, except that she
wished to get home"
"Did she keep company with a man of
the name of Pearce ?"
She had walked out with him once
or twice."
When was the last time p
She did not remember"
"Did Pearce walk with her home on
the night of the murder?'
No"
"Not part of the way?"
eyes; part of the way"
"Did Pearce sometimes wear black,
shiny hat ?"
"No-yes: she did not remember"
"Where was Pearce now?"
"She didn't know?"
"Had he disappeared since that Sun
day evening ?"
"She didn't know
"Had she seen him since p
"No."
"Had Mr.. Wilson ever threatened
to discharge her for insolence to Mrs.
Armstrong;"
"Yes but she knew he was not in
earnest"
"Was not the clasp knife that had
been found always left in the kitchen for
culinary purposes ?"
"No-not always; generally-but
not this time that Armstrong went away,
she was sure"
"Mary Strugnell, you be a false
sworn woman before God and man y in
terrupted the male prisoner with great
violence of manner.
The outbreak of the prisoner was
checked and rebuked by the Judge, and
the cross-examination soon afterwards
closed. Had the counsel been allowed
to follow up his advantage by an address
to the jury, he would, l doubt not, spite
of their prejudces against the prisoners
have obtained an acquittal but as it was,
after a neutral sort of charge from tie
Judge, by no means the ablest that then
adorned the bench, the jurors, having
deliberated for something more than half
an hour, returned into court with ver-
dict of "guilty" against both prisoners
accompanying it, however, With strong
recommendation to mercy.
Mercy r' said the judge. "What for'
On what ground z"
The Jurors stared at each other and at
the Judge: they had no reason to give
The fact was, their conviction of the
prisoners guilt had been very much
shaken by the cross-examination of the
chief witness for the prosecution, an'
this Recommendation was comprom
ise which conscience made with doubt