The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-01
Proved Innocent Too Late-Circum-
stantiaI Evidence.


There was trial and execution in Dublin
more than century since which, excited
great interest. 1t was that of surgeon,
we'll known in society, and esteemed for his
amiable character, and remarkable for his
humanity to the poor. He lived in re-
tired street. 1t happened one evening that
the milkwonian found the street door
aiar, and not being answered when she
knocked at it, she made her way to the
kitchen. She had no sooner entered it than,
uttering piercing shrek, she called loudly
for help. The passers-by and persons from
the neighboring houses were soon on the
spot, and the kitchen was crowded in short
time. A sad spectacle presented itself. The
young woman who was servant to the sur
geon was lying dead on the flags, while her
dress was stained with the blood which had
issued from wound in the side, In look
ing about the floor surgical instrument was
found, which also was stained with blood.
a medical man who was present ascertalned
that it was the instrument which had in
hicted the daath-wound. On a further
search, shirt saturated with blood was
found huddled UP in the coal-hole. 1t was
marked with the initials Of the surgeon Is
name. ....f .....
He was Immediately seized, and though
protesting his innocence he was evidently
under considerable agitation. The silent
witnesses which were brought against him
we're thought sufficient to prove his guilt,
and all attempts to account for their having
been found near the unfortunate girl were
secuted in the cross-examination.
A living witness was also produced in
court, an old lady, who deposed that she
lived in the house directly facing that
where the surgeon resided; that her draw
inc-room window commanded view of his
premises, and that it was customary with
her to watch his movements. She deposed
that she had not taken her eyes off his house
all that day on which the murder was per-
petrated; that no one had left or entered
his house that day but himself; that he
went home at about 4 O'Clock, his usual
hour of returning; and that, on knocking
at the door, it was opened by the servant,
who, to the best of her belief, shut 1t fast
when her master went in; that she saw him
three or four times pass the windows OF his
sitting-room !; that the last time she saw
him was about an hour and half before the
murder; that she observed him look down
both sides of the street, and then shut
down the window; he held something in his
hand, which she thinks may have been a
surgical instrument, but this she would not
positively swear.
In summing up the evidence the horror
which the prisoner had betrayed when
looking on the body of; his murdered SER
want was eloquently dwelt on as crown
ing proof Of guilt. The defence was weak
and meagre-a bare denial Of the crime
being its chief substance. A thrill of hor-
ror puervaded b the court. The jury retired !;
a brief space .suffced for deliberation they
returned with verdict of guilty The
Judge, having donned. his black cap, ex-
horted the prisoner on the Nervousness Of
bis z crime, and pronounced the fatal sem
tence. ..as-,
!. 1t is said that the condemned showed
much fortitude throughout, and persisted to
the last in asserting his innocence. He was
brought to the place Of execution amid a
vast concourse and the execrations of the
people. We were told by an old gentleman
that his father remembered having been
held up in his nurses arms to see the pro-
oessioa to the place Of execution. He was
~.