The Sun. — 1869-07-22 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY TRIAL FOR  MURDER.  At the Worcester Assizes, on Tuesday, before Mr. Baron Pigott, a woman named Fanny Frances Maud Oliver was convicted of the wilful murder of her husband, Joseph Oliver, at Dudley. The prisoner is a milliner, and in the course of her business cleaned bonnets, for which purpose she used poisonous drugs. The death of the husband was attributed to arsenical poisoning, and the motives by which it was presumed the prisoner was actuated were, that she had contracted an improper intimacy with a man named Brice ; and that her husband had money in a building fund, and that she, without his .rnowledge had been drawing it out, and had exhausted the fund. The purchase of arsenic by the prisoner in April last was proved, and also that at the time she gave a false name and address. Dr. Hill, who made a post-mortem examination of the body, discovered arsenic in a small quantity, and came to the conclusion that the deceased had died from arsenical poisoning. After the jury had returned their verdict the prisoner made a most " agonising " speech. " I am not guilty (she exclaimed) by my great God ! If I speak an untruth, Oh, God ! (here the prisoner clasped her hands solemnly, and cast her eyes upwards)—take my breath from me, and let me die before my enemies. (Great sensation in court). As for administering poison to my husband (here she raised her voice and again clasped her hands) great God answer for me ; Thou knowest that I am innocent, Heavenly Father, of the charge they have brought against me. And why dost Thou leave me in this terrible hour of need? My God, I have trusted in Thee. I have been wild and wicked, I know ; bet, Heavenly Father, give me strength. I never possessed such strength as I have possessed since I have been cast into prison. I never knew the power of my Saviour until then ; and, although death is to be passed upon an innocent woman, Lord, receive my spirit ; and although I am found guilty by an earthly judge and jury—(here she raised her voice defiantly)—my Great Judge and Jury who are in Heaven they will receive me to their home. (Sensation). I am innocent in the sight of my God, and I fear not what man can do unto me. What even though you should put me to death to-morrow, I would receive it cheerfully, my God, as it has come from Thee ; for now lam left alone ; my home is gone ; my friends are far ; I have but one, and that is He (pointing upwards). Lord, do not leave me in this terrible hour. Lord, prepare me to meet this trial. Thou knowest lam innocent. Murder ! I loved my husband. God, thou knowest I loved him. Yes, and he loved me. Call his friends ; call those who were with him when he died. What is the reason this has been brought against me, 0 God?" The prisoner here made a rambling statement about her husband's mother having accused her of poison. ing her husband because she could not get some money that belonged to him.  The Harvard crew has arrived from America to take part in the international boat race.  A marriage is about to take place between the Princess Santa Croce (eldest daughter of the late Prince and of the sister of Mr. Vincent Scully, ex-M.P. for Cork county) and the Marchese Macchiavelli-Rangoni, a sergeant of Papal Zouaves, and representative of one of the greatest Modenese houses.