, 1865-08-10
Thrilling Scene In an ED.1Ish Court
Constance Kent Goutesses Her crime
II Ap B. Ltence,


tLoloon correspondence Toronto Globe.1
LONDON. July q.
The public were startled yesterday by the
announcement that CoostAnce Kent hsI
pleaded guilty to the Indictment charging
Der "i'h the murdor OF her little step-brothef,
r. rlancis sayille Kent Everybody thought
that BY some means OF other plea OF not
guilty would be recorded, and that an inyea.
ligaticn would take place which would cuyer
all The circumstances Of this tyapedy. mi
Constance Kent is person Of extraordinary
retolutten, and having made up her mind
that she would confess her guilt, she was
prepared to take ~ the .consequences. Up
70 the List many Of her relatives We1e pessus-
ded Of her innocence, and m4ny outsiders
also thought she WAS the victim Of mono
manta. But R1l doubts on the subject have
been relieved BY full and most detailed con-
festioa Of the manner In which the murder
VAS committed, aud Of the motive which
prompted It's commission. That con-
public, lest ii should Interfere With
Tho exercise Of the royal preroeatiye
Of mercy. but 1t establishes the hct Beyond
cayl that Constancs Kent VAS influenced b.
dtabolical feeling of envy aud Jealousy 10.
Maio me brother, who rs Is alleged, vas
bis parents: The scene in III AZ.
size Court Of Salisbury yesterday. morning
vas affecting tn the cxtreme--uot syen Mr.
harslake, The counsel for the prosecutIon.
anticipated tho course which the proTecd-
ings would lake. When he took bis seas he
vas Of opinion that the case would proceed.
bnt, 70 tns surprise OF the judge, Jury, corc-
sci and audience, the prI.oner pleaded guilty.
Again and again lid Mr. Justice wills sr,2.
gest to her the pEopE1ety Of considering tie
matter aud point out the gravity Of the
step she was taking. She held steadfastlY to |
ner intention, and her counsel, Mr.. Cp1eridge
:, .-6ue Of the brightest ornaments Of the Eue |
iisn bar--then uttered fe r touching and |
etcqnsnt sentences, ln which he stated that |
Ihe pflsonsr had acted upon hIs advice. and |
that, as In the presence OF God, heibeiieyrd
she had told the truth! Nothing, therefore-
remained but for the judge to piss thc sen.
tence Of the Law. seA~
Ihsshe did In voice broken with emotion.
Ihe Big tears rolled down his cheeks: aui
|ong before he had done, the members or TIE
2at 9a and the spectators generally were crying
axe e9sld1en. ConstsCce Kent herseli re.
1is address 10 her, attributed ihs had passions
u anger and jeslouey By which ahe had been
ooeeeescd, to 'he influence Of the Evil Ooc.
md then the burst forth into the most plte-
sus sobs. In TIVE or three n.nutrs she lad.
o al! outward appearances, resumed her
4uanim!ty, and she walked out o. the dock
nth firm step. IN appearance the Is rather
and has tendency TO be st3ut.
ier lace Is the picture Of health, and kha |
GEMS to possess q robust constitution: a az
outee the sentence will not be carried ont.
VIII, without doubt, be commuted to In
rtsouncnt for life, on the ground Of her ex-
tome youth when the murder was commit I
70, Tor ahe was only In her si1teenth year:
nd also btcsuse her confession was OF
uiely voluntary character, and, 60 Tar rs
ne can Judge, was real act Of contrition.