The Weekly Gazette for Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Cleveland District. — 1883-05-12 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE MURDER CON SPIRACY.  EANLON SENTENCED TO PENAL  SERVITUDE FOR LIFE.  DUBL/N, Friday. Geo. Smith, against whom the Grand Jury found a true bill for conspiracy to murder, has been released from Kilmainham gaol OD his own recognizanoes to come up for trial on receiving a weeks notice. His fathee has undertaken to send him to America. It does not appear from the evidence that he was deeply concerned in the conspiracy, having been present at only a few meetings. The waning interest in the trials was manifested this morning by the empty benches ruerved for spectators. With his customary punctuality Judge O'Brien took his place on the bench at ten o'clock. Immediately the jurors, who had passed the night in the Gresham Hotel, answered to their names, there arose a dramatic incident. Tim Kelly's hat, which was picked up at the scene of the attempted aasassination of Mr Field, was pro. duced, and the chain of proof showing the hands through which it passed was formed with in. geeions elaboration, one of the witnesses having been brought out of bed for thepnrpose. With this corroboration, and the story of Ferrell and Kavanagh, the Crown case closed. Mr Bodkin then addressed the jury for tho accused. His speech was delivered with great. clearness, but was rather tech ry moss i tone. Indeed, at once ho intimated that there was to be no witnesses for the defence, and devoted him. self to working on the feelings of the jury, in. &Ling on the dictum of an eminent Judge that it was better that ninetyneue guilty men should escape than that one innocent man should be convicted, but, even better that one man, though guilty, sheuld be illegally convicted. He pointed out that the Crown case rested only on the evidence of Farrell, who in law was an infamous witness, wiuding up his impeachment with a novel rendering of Shakespeare that "Trifles light as air are to Crown counsel confirmation strong as proofs of holy writ." Mr Peter O'Brien replied for the Crown, taking great pains to uphold the testimony of Farrell and Kavanagh, relying not only on the corroborative evidence, but on the demeanour of the men themselves. Counsel analysed the evidence with great minuteness, and submitted that the guilt of the prisoner was clearly established. Judge O'Brien summed up. He regarded the extraordinary evidence concerning Kelly's hat as important corroboration. There was no need in this case to apply the rule as to the necessity of confirming the approvers—the corroboration was abundant. Taking it altogether, it would be miraculous if the evidence were not true as establishing the prisoner's guilt. The jury retired, and after a short absence they returned with a verdict of guilty. Judge O'lsrien, in sentencing Hanlon to penal servitude for life, said the lite of Mr Field was saved by a miracle, and the, same miracle saved the prisoner's life. Hanlon promptly put on his hat, and remarked, "I won't be the last " as he descended to the cell. It was fully expected Fitzharris would plead guilty, and a message was sent to Kilmainham to bring him down. When he arrived his solicitor, Mr Gerald Byrne, had an interview with him in the cell. He was put forward and arro.inged as an accessory after the murders, but, assuming a combative attitude, he pleaded not guilty. He was then put back, and the Court adjourned. liINGSTON,