The Statesman. — 1812-05-01 (London, England)

SCOTCH.CIRCUIT INTELLIGENCE. .  A BERnECN.—Alexander Lawrence, accused of hamesuckeu, with the intention of committing a rape on the wife of Alexander Craib, square-w•right in Keith, on the 4th of March last, was put to the bar.  The first witness for the Crown was Craib, the husband, who said, that on that morning he set out on a journey from home; but, after proceeding only three miles, strange thoughts seized him, and he staid in a wood until seven in the evening. He then returned home, with a view to discover if there was any thing improper between the Prisoner and his wife ; and, therefore, when he returned, he called his two journeymen and another person, to be on the Match ; but his wife knew nothing ,of his return. Abopt ten o'clock they heard a person break the shop door open, and go to the kitchen, where Mrs. Craib slept.—Soon after this, she screamed, and called out " Murder'," Witness ran to her assistance, and distinctly saw the Prisoner making his escape. Mrs. Craib was greatly agitated, and there were marks of violence on her neck. Neither the witness, nor any of the three men who were with him) could catch the Prisoner.  The other three men were then examined, and said they had been watching with. Craib on the 4th of March, and they heard some person enter the heuse. They also heard Mrs. Craib screaming; but none of them saw the Prisoner, nor did they hear him go out of the house.  Mrs. Craib confirmed the statement of her husband. Swore positively that she knew the Prisoner, and that she was very ill for some days, in consequence of the wound on her neck. Three witnesses for the Prisoner gave evidence to the effect of establishing an alibi. Mr. BOSWELL addressed the Jury on the part of the Crown, and pointed out the enormity of the• crime of hamesucken, committed in such circumstances as the present. But he said, that certain considerations induced him to restrict the libel to an arbitrary punishment. Ile pleaded, that the evidence for the prosecution was quite insurmountable, as it rested not only on the direct testimony of Craib and his wife, against the Prisoner, but also on the corroborating circumstances mentioned by the other witnesses for the prosecution, and the clear proof of violence done to Mrs. Craib; and he added, that the plea of alibi had not been made out.  LumsnrN, for the Prisoner, stated, that the present was a very remarkable case. The Prisoner, a youth of 20 years of age, and of excellent character, had been brought to the bar, in consequence of a base and diabolical conspiracy. The object of this conspiracy was to convict him of. a crime, which might have brought him to the hands of the executioner. Ile then observed, that the charge, of rape, or an attempt to commit this offence, is just the charge most lit for such false accusers, as it is that against which it is most difficult for an innocent man to defend himself; and he mentioned several cases, in which such false accusations had been brought, and shewcdto w narrowly the prisoners escaped, utthoirgb they%ere innocent. He then maintained that the plea of alibi had been fully established, by the exculpatory, nittiesses, who were far more entitled to credit than Craib and his wife.  Lord Git.rtr, bummed up the evidence with great ability.. !Teobserved, that.fhe case was not without MM difficulty, as the evidence of Craib and hit wife was very' positive ; and this evidepci wee sower what corroborated, by the persons who watched along with Craib ; and,it was peOtiyely swore .that the women hadjeceived some violence. But hit jeordship remarked, that there appeared something. very sus. piejetikip the manner in 'which Craib and' his wife had told ilwir story. That Ciaib • hid been jealous of his wife, and.as the Prisoner was the object of. his jealousy, it was not. surprising. that' he should. wish to cletect.him, or to be revenged on him; but it Wilt not so easy.to understand how the wife should' have been prevailed upon to enter into the plot. The fact was sworn to, that some person had entered the house; hut there was only the evidence of Craib and his wife that the Prisoner Was the person, and the, - plea of alibi, set up for the Prisoner, certainly was entitled to great attention, as it was not here attended with those circumstances of suspicion which usually accompanylt. The Jury returned a verdict, unanimously finding the Prisoner Not GoOts.