, 1872-11-20
4 NEW EXCUSE POR MURDER

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4 NEW EXCUSE POR MURDER
London has recently had amurder trial, result
ing in the acquittal Of the murderer, on the
ground Of insanity. The case differs from the
class Of "insane murders'' familiar to the
American people, based upon emotional aberra-
tion, Of jealousy, marital deception illicit
love, breach Of promise, divorce. .4.~ other rela-
tions Of the sexes. The Londcs a.se Of insanity
WAS simply the temporary result OF excessive
drink, known popularity as deliriune tren1eras.
The murder WAS one Of peculiar atrocity. The
ASSASSIN Taylor, laborer, had lived with
woman for many years and
had two children-a boy Of Il
and an infant daughter. One even
ing, when Taylor had been drinking, the boy was
sent for his fathers wages, brought them home.
threw himself upon the bed, and fell asleep.
When he aw oke, be saw his mother lying beside
him dead. You have killed my mother" the
boy shouted to the man who sat near him. "Yes
and you shall see how it was done," was the
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with heavy iron bolt, with which he had al
ready murdered the woman and the infant child,
The boy alone recovered, and it vas his testi-
mony which left no doubt as to the kill
by cutting his throat and tearing the wound
open after it had been dressed; he then jumped
out Of window and otherwise conducted him
self like man maddened by grief or remorse;
but, subsequently, he settled down into
rational state. The trial has just been con-
cluded by 8 verdict Of acquittal. These are the
main points Of the case, but there we're certain
aggravating circumstances. Once before, Tay-
lor had made murderous assault upon the
woman. It Was only few days before the
final murder that he stabbed her with fork,
ina1cting a severe wound. He Was ar
rested for this, but the woman de-
clined to appear against him, and he
was discharged, Testimony at the trial also
brought out the fact that Taylor was perfectly
familiar. with the influence which drink had
upon him. He had asked some Of his comrades
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paro1ysms Of rage, and, when assured that it
was, he had promised to give it up. The evi-
dence, then, WAS complete, not only that be had
murdered two persons and nearly murdered
another, all intimately related to him, but that
he was fully aware Of his own dangerous pro-
pensities when drunk.
In acquitting Taylor of his horrible butchery
under such evidence as this, an English jury has
carried the privileges of constructive insanity
further than ever before. The prominent Ameri-
can cases in which temporary excitement, used
as synonymous with emotional insanity, has
been regarded IS sufficient reason for the ac-
quittal OF murderers, have all been founded upon
some chivalric sentimental consideration for
woman. In the Taylor case, however, there
were none of these sentimental or emotional
excuses, whether true or false. It WAS
VAS at least responsible for putting himself in
the condition that prompted it, and the result
Of bad personal habits as well as the outgroWth
of q depraved nature. This may be insanity;
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define what kind Of insanity shall justify mur-
der and what kind shall not.
There is one phase OF the Taylor case, how
ever, which seems to teach useful lesson for
all communities. Had this man been properly
prosecuted for his previous vicious assaults, and
punished as he deserved, it is probable that the
murder would never have been committed. The
laws of all countries seem to be defective IN the
way of Furnishing unsuccessful attempts at
murder as they ought to be punished.
The majority Of people who commit murder
have previously indicated readiness to do it
whenever occasion should present itself. But,
while the law considers the intent as vital as the
deed, it takes little or no cognizance Of the in
tent unless it be accompanied by fatal results.
It to the long List Of temporarily insane condi-
tions under which murder may be committed
with impunity, that Of excessive drunkenness
is to be added, it ia time that We should hare
some legal restraint applied to habitua1 drunk
ards.