The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1867-11-23
Singular Close Of a Criminal
Trial.
From the Troy ". " Times, September asrh.I

From the Troy ~. n Times September s5thl
James Il. Hoyt, of Troy, New York, a young
man Of respectable standing, was indicted for the
seduction of a Miss Law under promise of mar
riage, and having refused the only atOnement-
inarTiage-for the injury ne had done her, has
been On trial since Monday upon the criminal
charge. One Of the points relied upon by the
prisoner 10 secure an acquittal, was a belief in his
ability to prove the previous unchaste character
of the girl.
For this purpose he introduced a witness,
named Alfred Haight, who testified to criminal
acts, but when, however, he anne To be subjected
10 crOss-examinatiJn he 50 contradicted himself
rs 70 satisfy all present that be was telling n
wicked and deliberate falsehoCd. lie left the
witncSs-stand and proceeded TO the vestibule of
the Court House. where he heard ON all sides ex-
pressiOns Of belief that he had periured himself,
and other remarks not very complimentary TO his
character. Soon after he desired TO make a full
and free retractiOn of all he had said in regard to
the young lady upon the witne-s-stand-
The news Of IIaight's confession was received
with perfect astonishment by the counsel for
Hoyt, who at once determined 10 withdraw from
the cisc and leave the prisoner TO his fate They
visited him IN Jail and informed him Of the sudden
turn affairs had taken, and Of their inability to
do anything more in his case. The Young man
was somewhat dumbfounded ut first. hut soon
Iegained sufficient composure To propose an offer
of marriage. The counsel encouraged the sug-
gcstion ~ tie only means of escape left TO him
from the State Prison, and when the Court reas-
sembled in the aiternoOn-aiter Haigh, had pub
licly withdrawn his eyidence-made the offer to
the District Attorney and Mr.. Beach.
They were rot entirely pleased with the propo-
%sitiOn, but submitted it to the young lady. She
consulted with her friends-they opposed the
marriage: two sisters, very estirnable and worthy
ladies, VINO had nobly stood by the unfortunate
gIrl through all the solemn hours of the trial,
beseeched her with tears not TO marry the pris-
Oner under circumstances such as had been de-
yalgraH on tho r-Ial Inr Tho rnr rrr.D,aI a.I
injured girl, with a mothers tender love for her
child, and n heart not vet dead To the unworthy
cause of all her misery, gave such reasons for the
step as silenced counsel. friends, relatives and all
in their opposition to the union, and consented
to the marriage. Meanwhile, while these wills
perings and negotiations, conducted with sobs
and tears, Were going on, the vast audience in
the Court room remained silent spectators of the
scene. Scarcely a person III the crowded assem-
bly, at first approved the union; but when it was
at last known .hat the young girl had consented
TO rescue the OBJECT of her hearts youthful afec-
tions from u prison, all suddenly reversed their
judgment-love won the victory over reasOn-and
hearty applause greeted the appearance of Rev.
DIR. Baldwin, who had been sent for to perform
the ceremony. The young man, a prisoner but
a moment before, walked over 10 his bride, and a
few words passed between them the Reverend
Doctor took hs position on the right of Judge
Robertson, and the young couple presented them
selves at the altar. The Judge was the first 10
break the Stiffness of the solemn scene. lie re-
marked that tie conclusion of the trial must be
regarded az fortunate for all parties concerned. 1t
would seem from the evidence in the case, that
the defendant had been misled By the falsehoOd
of certain p%arties, and had mistrusted the integrity
and fidelity of the young lady. \ witness had
been produced here tending to confirm such i'm
pressiyns, but IL has come into Court and made 4
full and free reractiOn of his evidence in regard
20 the virtue and character of the complainant;
the defend.o. has become satisfied that he
has been misled, and desires to make all the rep
aration IN his power, by a public performance OF
the ceremony OF marriage. Ii IL within the prov
inee OF the law 10 suspend the proceedings of the
trial by marriage of the parties. and they are now
suspended. Rev. DR.. Baldwin then married
the parties. The scene was most impressive.
During the wh1,e of the solemn service the utmost
quiet Teigncd all hearts seemed deeply touched
By the spectacle. and tear cOursed down many a
cheek. Then the prison gates were
opened-the PARTIES left the Court room arm in
arm. and the marriage altar became again the
of human i%ustice. i