The Glasgow Chronicle. — 1850-05-22 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE MURDER AT JUNIPER GREEN.  On Thursday, Peter Pearson, who so brutally murdered Dr. Wilson and his mother at Juniper Green, near Edinburgh, in the month of March lust, was brought up for trial at the High Court of Justiciary. Pearson was brought on the previous day, from Perth. where he had been for some weeks past, imprisoned in the Penitentiary. Before coming into court, his right hand was manacled, to prevent any violence being committed by him upon the officers beside whom he was seated in the dock. This precautionary step, however, was unnecessary, as, during the whole time he was in court, which would not be more than half-an-hour, he conducted himself with the greatest propriety. His insanity, we understand, is of that kind which manifests itself in occasional paroxysms; and hence, when not excited by the particular hullucinations under whickhe labours, he is quite calm and collected. Before being sent to Perth, we learn that he talked freely of the deed of blood which he had committed; but on his return, he evaded every allusion to it, and appeared to have settled down into a state of impenetrable moroseness. Mr. Robertson, who appeared as counsel for the prisoner, pleaded insanity in bar of trial. He stated that he knew the panel, who had at one time been a tenant of his for a period of more than ten years, and he considered him insane ever since he knew him. In 1838 he took some religious notion into his head which led him to leave his father's house, to which he refused afterwards to return. His insanity assumed such a decided turn in 1843, that he was sent to Morningside Asylum, where he was confined for about two years and a half. From all that he (Mr. R.) had seen of him both before and since the commission of the dreadful act with which he was charged, he considered that he was quite incapable of understanding the nature of the crime for which he now stood at the bar. In order, however, thoroughly to satisfy the Court of pannel's insanity, he would now proceed to lead evidence. Professor Miller was then called, and said he examined the panel at the bar in the month of March last. He was led to examine him at the request of the public authorities ; and he found him to be thoroughly insane. Had seen him since, namely, on the day previous to trial, and he considered him to be still thoroughly insane. Cross-examined by Mr. Bea., for the Crown—He is totally incapable of instructing Counsel for his defence. His right hand was at present secured by witness's directions. This was done, as the insanity of the prisoner was of that kind as to make him susceptible of great excitement: as that, with little aggravation, he might do injury to himself or others. There was no doubt that he was at this moment a dangerous man. Dr. Spital was employed to examine the prisoner, and saw him last this morning. He saw him previous to this, at the time he was confined in the prison of Edinburgh, and before he was sent to the Penitentiary at Perth. When he first saw him he was in a depressed, melancholy state, with an occasional scowl on his face. He appeared to be insane. lie would say decidedly insane. When witness saw panel this morning, he was rather more depressed and sullen; and still decidedly insane. Cross-examined by Mr. fleas—Could have no confidence that he could instruct his counsel intelligibly and correctly. Witness concurred in directing the prisoner to be brought into Court manacled, because of his great liability to become excited, and dangerous to himself and others. Lord Moncrieff, who presided in the absence of the Lord Justice-Clerk, said he had no doubt whatever of the insanity of the prisoner, and that he was unfit to go to trial. Lord Cockburn and Lord Ivory having concurred, the prisoner was ordered to be sent back to Perth Penitentiary, and to be there confined during her Majesty's pleasure.