Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1889-03-20 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

JOTTINGS IN COURT.  [BY otrz SPECIAL  CALDLIT, Tuesday Momiud.  Thomas Allen, contrary to the expectation of many, has been found guilty of wulini murder and 'Sentenced to death. As a murder trial it is about the least sensational I have ever attended. The whole interest of the case centered around the evidence of Mrs. Kent, and when her evi- : 'deuce had been given the trial Was very barren of either sensation or interest. She was in the box for nearly two hours, and bore her examin- ' , ation and cross-examination with remarkable fortitude. The evidence throughout was so remarkably clear that the cross-examination was of the briefest nature, and the learned counsel who defended had to resort to ingenuity to defend his client, for circumstances aided him but little. As a rule, us murder cases the mcslical evidence is the mark for opposing muusel, but Dr. Morgan, of Adelaide street, left Mr. Glascodine little chance to score on what he said. He made one of the best and most satisfactory witnesses I have ever heard ins court of justice. He did not attempt to airhisscientific knowledge, and though commendably modest he left the impression that he was thoroughly competent to deal with any case that came under his notice. Dr. Thomas was also a good witness. but his task was by no means severe. All the witnesses from first to last were thoroughly satisfactory, and the cross-examination, instead of telling in favour of the prisoner, rather told against him. Mr. Lewis' speech in opening was a trifle long, too long, I think, but his closing speech was commendably brief. Mr. , Glascodine, on the other hand, made the most concise speech I have ever heard from his lips. It was, certainly, his ablest effort in advocacy. 'He was simple, unpretentious, and ingenious throughout, and succeeded in impressing both ' the court and the jury that there was something to be said in favour of the prisoner after all. When he sat down the bulk of those present thought Allen gioirr get off, but when Mr. Justice Grantham had spoken for five minutes Mr. Glasoodines ingenuity was knocked into a cocked hat, and the verdict was a foregone conclusion.  During the address of Mr. Lewis. for the pro, secution, prisoner twisted his thumbs and listened L with a certain amount of concern to what was , said. When Mr. Glaceedine ecminenced, he ceased the thumb-twirling action, and listened intently, brightening up as the learned counsel made point after point in his favour. When Mr. Gscsidine sat down he seemed pleased with himself and all the world; but this pleasant expression did not last long, for Mr Justice Oraintham had not proceeded far before he was in tears, and when the judge fulished he looked nervously at the jury, and a frightened expression took possession of his features. As the jury retired he went to the cells below for a few momenta, and then returned When the jury came in he read the expression on their faces in a moment, and burst out crying. He then collected himself, and listened to the rest of the proceedings with quiet interest. The sentence of death was delivered by the judge without any attempt at dramatic effect. He spoke with evident emotion in his voice, but with more rapidity than any judge I have ever heard pronouncing the sentence of death. No one appeared greatly moved by the sentence, even Mr. Allen, the deputy clerk of arraigns, did not cry, and most people in court seemed to think that justice had been met and that the prisoner deserved his fate. He was a black-man and had but little sympathy. When he heard the sentence passed he looked around with a dazed expression, and it was only whoa Chief-warder Box touched him on the arm and said with commendable courtesy "This way, please," that he appeared to realise his position. Clasping his hands together he shook convulsively, and in company with the warders slowly tottered down the steps leading to the cells below. So for the present ends the ' Swansea tragedy. The prisoner was removed to Swansea Jail by the 6 o'clock train on Monday evening.