Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-06-06
A Canaaian Mnl der rriaI
From the Montpelier tyt } Argus and Pa
MT


fall, a lite unpleasantness oc.
Cured one day between two of
the teamsters, one of whom was
murdered by the other in IL most
brutal manner.
We happened 10 be present
at the trial of the murderer,
which took place a short time
since at Cornwall, =. o., and
the way the prisoner was dis
posed of leading us to the con-
clusion that the next time we
wanted to kill a man we would
go to Canada TO do it.
The evidence Tor the prose-
cution was Of the strongest
kind, given in by an eye wit
ness Of the whole affair, while
the defence amounted to moth
ing.
The jury was mainly COM
posed of farmers, and the
Judge, in giving his charge, was
so explicit in explaining what
constituted murder, and COM
pairing it with the evidence in
the case, that there was not n
doubt left in the minds of any
present but that the verdict
would be murder in the first de-
gree. The jury retired, and AZ
ter half an hours absence re-
turned in solemn procession.
The foreman stepped forward,
glanced over the room, looked
at the Judge, then, putting on
"a woe-begone expression, he
fastened his eyes on the prison.
er, and raising his arms above
his head, exclaimed:
"May the good God have
mercy on his poor soul"
Here he paused, and every
eye was turned upon the poor
sinner whose doom was sealed,
as all supposed.
"Well," said the Judge,
growing uneasy at the delay,
"what is your verdict?"
''HVe have been after finding
the prisoner guilty of murder in
self defence.
"No," said the Judge, "you
do not mean that; you mean
that he is guilty of murder"
"No," contended the foreman,
eve mean that he is guilty of
murder in sclE-defence."
"What!" said the Judge, edo
you decide that he killed the
man in defending his own life?'
..Yes, that is what we intend
ed; that he is guilty of murder
in selEdelence."
"WeIl," said the Judge, "if
that is the case, then the pris-
oner is free. Officer, let him
60"
While the prisoner wasthank-
ing the Judge and jury for
their kindness, aud receiving
the congratulations Of friends,
several of the jurymen jumped
to their feet, and yelled ont:
"May it please your honor,
Mr.. Judge, that is not what We
meant at all"
Upon this the Judge ordered
he officer TO again take the
prisoner in charge, and told the
jury TO retire and not return
until they had agreed upon a
verdict.
After about an honr's alb
scncc, the brilliant twelve
into the court room,
and took their seats.
"Wcll," said the Judge, shave
you found a verdict this time?'
"Wc have that" said the
foreman.
"What is it?"
1--WE have been after bring
ing him in guilty.
equity of what?'
"Guilty Of numbering Jack
Murphy to save his own life"
After the commotion which
1nis verdict brought forth had
sub<ided, and the Judge had
got his face straightencd out, nc
sternly commanded the jury 10
retire again, and never to re-
turn until they could bring n
better verdict than that.
Again the procession slowly
and sadly moved out, and after
Il close discussion Of about three
hours, they returned and took
their places.
"WelI," said the Judge,
'what is your decisiOn!"
The foreman arose and made
The following reply:
'May it please Your Excel
Iencc, when we first considered
Inc dirty part the prisoner took
in this whole proceeding We in
tended to punish him to the
full extent Of the law, but upon
taking a second forethought of
the matter, it is our sentiments
that, being as this is his first Of
fence, we would be as easy with
him as convenient. Consc-
quently, we have been after find
ing that he ought to bo put III
the penitentiary for one year at
least. But if he ever kills Jack
n 4. - l...r1l.r