Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-30
BIRcHALL FOUND GUILTY.
End of the Interesting Canadian Case
Blackstocks speech.

WooDsTocK. ONT, September 29.-lnter-
est in the Birchall case has steadily risen
until now II exceeds ANYTHING ever known
in similar cases in the history OF Canadian
criminal jurisprudence.
The prisoner was in his place early. At
last the strain is telling upon him., u Is
evident that he did not sleep well last
night. but he shows nothing Ike rear
simply nervousness, and the look OF appre-
hension of man who feels that great
events for him are happening. and that the
time when IL will be known what the
future has in store for him is fastapproacn-
ing. The Jury look wonderfully fresh
and well-kept considering the time
thew have been confined. \ re-
markabe fact IN connection with me
trial u that. in addition TO the regular
force Of newspaper men, there ISL attend
ance "A large staff Of stenographers en-
ployed bv one of the cable companies
which has arranged 10 send by cable YER
bal reports of BlackstOck's speech, the
Judges charge, and a long report OF the
other addresses AZ well. Preliminary 10
the sneeches this morning some evidence
was taken, but IL was not OF particular IN
terest. The testimony for defence closeu
and the addresses of counsel were NJ once
entered upon. During his counsels al,
dress the prisoner listened calmly ana
carefully TO all that was said.
Mr.. BLAcKsT0CK's ADDRESS.
Mr.. Blackstock, the prisoners counsel,
evidently labored under great excitement
and looked rs if he had spent weary hours
last nirht in preparing his speech of to-day.
Re BEGAN his address al seven minutes be
fore 10. Many of the most enlightened
countries. he said. had abolished capital
punishment, but while they lived under a
government that upheld It 1t was their
dutv TO obey the statutes of their country.
But they would not send a man 20 the gal
lows without most convincing evidence.
aud certainly not upon the evidence
which had been sprung upon them by
the Crown. The Shiny net of the press
had prerudiced the public mind, but ms
Iordship had already told the Jury that
flcv must discharge their minds or TINS
false impression aud pass upon the case ac-
cording 10 the evidence. Some detective
work had been done, and done Weu' buJ
his candid opinion was that the Only
honest work of that sort had been done by
the NEWSPAPERS. But while ne conceded
the press all its rights in the premises he
contended that it had no right to com
mont mon the evidence and try the
case in the public mind before 1t
had been given to the jury. lie
uointed out the great preparations
made for this case by the Crown and the
enormous expense incurred TO secure a
convection. as contrastcd with the position
aft the defence. For weeks and months
the LAWYERS for Blrchall had worked and
labored 10 secure fair trial without
money. to the credit Of the bar be 1t SAID.
They appealed 10 the jury 20 acqult the
prisonerand set the mob and press at de-
fance.
ASKS JUDGMENT NOT FOR HONESTY.
He asked the jury not TO Judge his
client for his honesty. for If they did he
would have to pass him TO their censure.
The fact vas that he did bring out feliey
and Benwell under false statements. but
.he prisoner was not on trial for these mis-
statements nor for the statements he MADE
10 several Of the Crown witnesses. Many
of these witnesses. Mr.. Blackstock sad,
anneared 10 be respectable people, ana ne
did not intend 20 impugn their honesty
Int he wished TO draw their attention 70
the frailty Of human memory.
He then proceeded with his analysis OF
the testimony and developed his theory OF
dafence-that II was case OF mistaken
identity on the part of those witnesses
Who mad testified to seeing Benwell and
Blrchall at Eastwood and afterwards blr-
chall alone on the day of BenwelPs disap-
pearance.
BIRCHALL GUILTY.
WOODSTOCK, Or. September 29.-Bir-
chall has been found guilty OF the murder
of Benwell. -
The Judge said he fully concurred with
the verdict and at once sentenced Blrcnall