The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-01-19
TRIAL OF WHARTON.

AS the end approaches, popular interest in
the above celebrated trial grows more intense
Whatever the result may be, it is destined to
occupy conspicuous position in the crimi-
nal annals of this country. Chiefly noticea-
bic in its details for the remarkable revela-
tons brought to light by the members of q
learned profession and the professors of an
occult science, it will furnish a precedent for
the trial ofcases of similar nature for all time
to come, unless, indeed, these things in the
future shall be brought to a more accurate
standard than now they appear to occupy.
The very fact, however, of the prominence
given to the present unsettled state of the
science of chemistry. or at least to the loose
practices of those who rank high rs profess
sors of that science, will be, we trust, the
means of bringing about more settled prac-
tice IN its application to cases of post mortem
examination for the detection of crime.
Should this be so, the case of Mrs. Wharton
will accomplish much good for the future, IT.
respective of its own merits OF dement's
otherwise, should the profession fail to profit
by its experiences, we are inclined to believe
that it will continue to create confusion in
criminal practice that would be terrible to
contemplate The case now approaches its
termination. T..
On Saturday the counsel for Mrs. Wharton
brought forward further evidence as to her
high character for kindness, amiability and
humanity" and having announced that their
case was closed, the State first called Prof
N r. Smith, of Baltimore, to the stand His
opinion was decided and to the effect that Gen.
Ketchum did not die from cerebro- spinal
meningitis, but that his death proceeded
from non-natural causes. Other physicians
were also examined, their opinion coinciding
with that of Prof Smith
Dr. Aiken was again called to the stand
en- Monday, by the State, for the purpose of
rebutting the testimony of Prof Mccullough,
who, it will be remembered, by series of ex-
perlments on yellow jasmine and choral,
succeeded in producing chemical results SIM
liar in appearance to those produced by Prof.
Aiken in his post norton examination of
Gen. Ketchum's body.
Prof Aiken further testified that he pro.
cured all the materials used by Prof McCul-
Tough, in his experiments, and following the
course of the latter failed to produce the
results averred to have been obtained by Prof
Mccullough.
On I,uoeday, tic Attorney General pro
posed to offer in evidence that Prof. Tonry
had made another chemical analysis of por-
ton of Gen. Ketchum's liver, and had pro-
duced the metal anthony. The court, how
ever, decided, that inasmuch as the State
had closed its case, no new evidence could
be adduced, and that further evidence on the
part of the State should be strictly rebuttal,
because it would be virtual re-opening of
the case, and tmight never stop.
The State then rested its case, when MI
Revell proceeded to argue before the jury.
He was followed by Messrs. Steele, Thomas
and Hagner on the part of the defence. At.
torney General Syester, tor the State, will
close the argument and the case will then be
submitted to the jury
The general impression is, that the jury
will either acquit the accused, or fail to agree
upon verdict. Verdicts of juries, however,
are proverbially uncertain, so that this is
matter of speculation.