The Sun. — 1865-07-07 (London, England)

PRITCHARD  THIS DAY.  THE VERDICT.  BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.  EDINBURGH, FRIDAY.  The intense interest manifested during the whole of the four days this extraordinary trial has lasted was greater than ever this morning. Crowds of people outside the court who had not been successful in obtaining admission were trying every means in their power to gain an entrance into court, and the police had the greatest difficulty in keeping a space clear for those personally engaged in the trial. As early as seven o'clock this morning Parliamentsquare was densely crowded, and as the hour of opening the court approached the crowd increased to such an extent that it was difficult to reach the top of the lligh-street. It was even greater than on the celebrated trials of Madeline Smith (who was tried eight years ago for poisoning her sweetheart, and was acquitted on the peculiar Scotch verdict of " Not Proven") and Mrs. Gilmore, who was also acquitted on a similar charge of poisoning her husband. The latter female, it will be remembered, was the first person brought back under the extradition treaty with America. The court opened at ten o'clock, but for some time previous that portion not appropriated to the public presented an extraordinary appearance. The jury entered the court shortly before ten o'clock, and upon their lordships' arrival the prisoner was placed in the dock.  His appearance was much the same as it was at the commencement of the trial. There was, however, a slight shade of sadness in his expression, but no trace of that anxiety and deep mental suffering to be expected in a person charged with such a dreadful crime and with his life in such imminent danger. During the continuance of the summing up to-day, notwithstanding the strong remarks of the Solicitor-General with reference to the damaging points in the evidence against the prisoner, he presented that coolness and indifference he has all along exhibited, with the exception of the time when his children were under examination.  The Lord Justice Clerk, in a very audible voice, commenced his summing up, and having called to the recollection of the jury the evidence adduced both on the part of the Crown and for the defeiN, concluded by earnestly impressing on the jury the importance of their fully considering all they had heard, and said that the case now only awaited their verdict. Unless they thought that clear conviction was brought to their minds it would be their duty to acquit him. They were not to proceed upon suspicion, or even strong suspicion, but there must be strong conviction in their minds, and if there was any reasonable doubt, it was their duty to give the prisoner the benefit of that doubt ; but if they came to that clear conclusion of his guilt, they were not to allow any suggestion made for the defence to deter them from doing their duty. The learned judge having reminded the jury of the oath they had taken, concluded by beseeching an all-wise and all-seeing Providence to direct them to a right verdict.  The jury retired at half-past one o'clock, and, after an absence of 55 minutes, returned into court. The Clerk of the Court, addressing the jury, said—Gentlemen, have you agreed to your verdict ? The Foreman, in a firm tone—We have.  The Clerk of the Court—How say you, gentlemen ; do you find the prisoner Guilty or Not Guilty ?  The Foreman—We unanimously find the prisoner " GUILTY" of murdering Mary Jane Taylor or Pritchard, his wife, and also unanimously find him " GUILTY" of the murder of Jane Cowan or Taylor, his wife's mother Silence having been proclaimed,  The Lord Justice Clerk put on the black cap and passed sentence of death in the usual manner, which he said would be carried into effect at Glasgow, on Friday, the 28th of July. The prisoner was completely overcome when he heard his doom.