Glasgow Courier. — 1859-03-26 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

CASK OP CEULD MURDER.  Martha M`Donald, • young woman of comely and rather prepolsoeing appearance, was placed at the bar on a charge of poisoning her infant daughter, a child 12 days old, by aciuistering to it a dove of oxalic acid. From the evidence led for the prosecution it appeared that on the 24th of November last the prisoner, who resided in Edinburgh, was admitted into the Maternity Hospital there, where she pve birth to the child which she was accused of poisoning. On the 4th December she left the hospital, quite recovered, taking with her the infant, which was strong and healthy, and had no appearance of disease. The following day she went to the poor-house, along with her 'dater, with the view of getting relief, and on her return to the lodgings which she occupied in Gilmour Street, it was alleged by the prosecution that she procured a pennyworth of oxalic paid from a druggist, which in the course athe same aftr:vnoon, and after her return home, she administered to the ild. Death ensued in the course of an hour or two; and the 'cost telling circumstance, as indicating her ennseionnsen, guih, lay itt the feet when some of the inmates of to' hose °Hared to go for a doctor to see the child, she sec.:turned that shewas " done for," and that she "would have to go to jail for it." Medical testimony was brought to prove that the child had died from the effects of oxalic acid, a quantity. of which warn found in the stomach. The prisonef, in her declaration, and in the admissions which she ha 4 made to witnearres in the case, did not deny that she had given something to her infant, but stated that she was in drink at the time, and did not know what she woe doing. Some features in the case told favourably on the jury. The unhappy young woman had formed a connexion with a sailor in Leith, who was the father of the child, and had been promised marriage by him. In fact, so far had the arrangements proceeded that the wedding-day had been fixed, and the first proclamation of banns made, when the father of the intended brideinterposed, and dissuaded his sou from fulfilling nia puriomise. Thin appears to have preyed much Oil the girl's mind, and may have to some extent unhinged it. The nurses in the Maternity Hospital Notified to the kindness which she manifested to her child, arid other evidence was brought to show that, up to the time when apprehended on the charge of murder, she had borne • respectable character. . The jury were addressed for the prisoner by Mr Barnett, advocate, who, in an able and impressive manner, urged on the consideration of the jury all the points that could be adduced in her behalf. After a short absence for deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of culpable homicide. Sentence, 15 years' penal servitude.  On Thursday, Helen ll'Donald WWI placed at the bar on • charge of culpable homicide, in having on the 115th February, within her own house in the Cowan* Edin• burO, seised the deceased Thomas M'Doneld, a lodger in the house, elid threw him over the COMILIOLI in consequence of which he fell on his heed, feast' kufl,gild otherwise so injuring him that % .1 Infirmary the following day. It app. Well InXiMlll to get quit of hare. 4 his wife. ---- --.4* arose ..  skull, man Bora In prisoner ceased  , freetenriim tles At be did is Um ''ff=l--ttt betwixt me awl her