The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-08
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
The Surratt Trial Judge Fishcr's
Chnrpc.


Charge.
WASHINGTON, August 7.-Judge tlShcr's
charge in the Surratt trial covers four ano
a half columns. It's general tenor Is re-
garded as unfavorabe to the prisoner. Inc
following is the summing up:
From the observations which / have ad'
dressed to you, you will infer:
FTrst.-That a conspiracy formed ID
time of war to take the life of the Presl-
dent and Vice-President of the Repuohc
ard of the heads of Departments Tor the
purpose of aiding tho enemies of the Fede-
raj Government BY throwing it into anarchy
and confusion is treason as hcinous and as
hurtful to the people of this country as
the comprising of the death Of the hlng
or Queen of Great Britain is to the SUD-
jects Of that realm.
Sscond.-That every person engaged IN
such conspiracy, as long as he continues q
member of it, is responsible, not only LOT
tho act of treason, but for any murder or
less crime which may flow from it.
Tnird.-That the Government may
waive the charge Of treason against any
or all of the Confederates, and proceed
against them for the smaller crime OF MUIR
der included in the greater crime OF trea-
son.
FovM.-That under an Indictment for
murder resulting from the prosecution OF
such conspiracy, evidence of the entire
scheme of the conspiracy may be consl-
dered, estimating the heinous character OF
tho offence laid in the indictment.
EffM.-That it was not necessary to
aver in the Indictment the fact that Abra-
ham Lincoln, the victim Of the murder,
was at the time Of its commission Presl-
dent Of the United States, or toprove it
in order to allow the jury to take that
fact into account in determining the hci-
nous character of the crime, it being fact
of which the courts will take Official cog
nizance.
,Sigh.-That he who does an act By
another does it himself, and is response
BILE for its consequences in criminal as
we'll as civil law.
SeUenM.-That although an abb, when
clearly established, forms Q complete and
unanswcrablc defence, the mere absence
from the immediate scene Of crime re.
sultiDg from conspiracy unrcpcntcd o.
and unabandoned by the party charged
will not avail! him if he were at some Other
place assigned him performing his part o
the conspiracy.
EHtth.-That this plea is, unless clearly
made out, always regarded with suspicion
and d circumstance weighing against hin
who attempts it because it implies an ad
mission of the truth Of the facts alleged
against him, and the correctness Of the in
ference drawn from them.
NinM.-That flight from the scene o
crime, the fabrication Of false accounts
and the conccalment Of instruments Of vic
lencc, are circumstances indicating guilt
IenM.-That although q confession il
the slightest degree tainted with the pro
mise Of favor. or by durcss or fear, is no
admitted as evidence against him wht
makes it, yet if made voluntarily is one o
the surcst points Of guilt.
The foreman Of the jury requested
copy Of the recorded evidence; but The
Judge said it was unusual. The defence
was willing, but the prosecution objected
SO the jury retired without the docu
mcnts. The verdict is looked for witt
fcverish anxiety.
At O'Clock tonight no verdict hat
been given. The courthouse is crowded