The Northern Daily Times. — 1856-04-02 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

SENTENCE OF DEATH.  His Lordship then drew on the black cap, and proceeded to pass sentence on the prisoners. He said : Philip Wall and James Carr. The jury, after a most patient investigation of the case and hearing everything that could be urged on your behalf, have found you guilty of murder. They have accompanied that verdict with a recommendation to mercy. With that I have nothing to do beyond furthering it for the consideration of the advisers of the Queen who will act upon it as they shall think fit. But so far as I am concerned I have but one duty to perform, and that is to sentence you to die. I did not inquire what were the reasons which have induced the jury to give that recommendation, but I presume it is in consequence of the state of drunkenness in which you probably all were, or may be supposed to have been in ; but, however, that may be it is their recommendation and I shall further it to the proper quarter. At the same time I may say that my own judgment goes along with their verdict, which they have found, and I do not see how they could have arrived at any other conclusion but that the unfortunate man House came to his death by your hands upon that night. The circumstances were such as, 1 own, left no doubt upon my mind that their verdict was a correct one, and that there was no way in which the death was to be accounted for, except that you, both of you probably, made use of the muffler which Carr had belonging to the woman Fanning to choke him, and carried away that which he had about his throat, in lieu of the one so used. Your object. Probably, was to rob him of the little money he had. No doubt your conduct in then staying about the place and openly pledging the clothes the following morning, may have induced the jury to think you not so responsible for your conduct, as other people who would have acted differently. But, however that may be, I have but one duty to perform, and I beseech you both not to place any confidence in the recommendation to mercy. I shall not at all stand in the way of it, but I by no means feel certain that the advisers of the crown will advise a remission of your sentence. Take warning by what I tell you and do not put too great confidence, or any confidence, in that recommendation. Iby no means feel certain that the recommendation of the jury will be acted upon.. Therefore, I do beseech you to take timely warning and to avail of the opportunity which will be given to you to make your peace with God, because it may be that you will very shortly be called before Him. All I have to do is to pronounce the last sentence of the law, that you, Philip Wall, and you, James Carr, for the crime of murder of which you are now convicted, be taken from hence to the prison from which you came, be taken from thence to the place of execution, and there to be hanged by the neck until your bodies be dead, and then to be buried within the precincts of the prison; and may the Lord have mercy on your souls !—His Lordship seemed deeply affected, and immediately left the bench. The prisoners were then removed, and walked down with firm steps. The hearing of this case occupied the whole day.