The Sun. — 1845-05-17 (London, England)

MARTHA BRIXEY." This was the case for the prosecution. Mr. CLARKSON then rose to address the jury on behalf of the prisoner. He characterised the case as one of the most painful which bad ever engaged his attention during a long  professional life. He could not complain of the way in which his Learned Friend had opened the case,notof the law which met cases of the distressing kind before them. He referred at some length to the answers of the law Lords to questions propounded to them by the House of Lords, respecting the state of the laws relating to lunatics, to show that no general rules could be laid down fur the guidanceof juries in arriving at conclusions in cases of insanity. So great a responsibility then devolving upon them, it behoved them to be extremely cautious in returning their verdict. The unsettled disposition of the prisoner, the irregularity of her system, the pains in her head, the sudden fits'of passion which came upon her from trivial causes, all denoted that she was labouring under insanity, and had been affected with this disease for three weeks before the murder. Her kindness to the children, and their love for her, her desire to leave her employment at one time and to stay at another, also denoted aberration of intellect. The family doctor had advised her removal, as from her condition she ought not to be trusted with children ; so that he had noticed the diseased state of her mind. Let them recollect the questions she put to one of the witnesses, if women were ever hanged ?" and, when in custody, if she should be sent abroad in chains? that she could not stay in the prison, and must be let out ; and her asking if Mr. Ffinch would forgive her in a week ; her conduct in the house, and every circumstance in the case, and then let them say if she was in a sound state of mind. He concluded by confidently relying on a verdict of acquittal in behalf of the unhappy prisoner at the bar.  Lord DENMAN then proceeded to sum up the evidence. He held that the act was clearly proved against the prisoner, but they would have to consider whether she was or was not in a deranged state of mind at the time of its commission. After pointing out the responsibility of juries, and telling them that they had to consider the facts of the case as honest and sensible men, without bias either one way or the other, and dismissing from their minds all apprehensions, to arrive at a conclusion warranted by the evidence which they had heard. He read over the evidence, and commented as be proceeded on the important points. His Lordship concluded by leaving the case in the hands of the jury, who retired to consider their verdict at halfpast one o'clock. After an absence of twenty-five minutes the jury returned into Court with this verdict :—" That from constitutional and other causes the prisoner, at the time of committing the act, was not responsible for her actions"—virtually Not Guilty, on the ground of insanity. The prisoner, who could scarcely stand whilst the names of the jury were being called over, was then led from the dock. During the whole of the trial she never raised her head, and rocked herself slightly backwards and forwards during the whole time it lasted.