The Sun. — 1865-01-12 (London, England)

THE MURDER IN PLAISTOW MARSHES.  This morning the trial of Kohl was resumed, the case for the prosecution having closed last night. Mr. Best, at the sitting of the Court, proceeded to address the jury for the defence. He did not deny that the deceased man was foully murdered, nor did he deny that the body was mutilated after death, but the jury would have to consider whether the charge of murder had been brought home to the prisoner. He then spoke of the relations between the prisoner and the deceased. The deceased was a good-natured confiding man, for he trusted Mrs. Warren with his money, watches, rings, and all the valuables he had, and he showed the same disposition when he went to live with the prisoner. The two men were on the most intimate terms, and the way in which the things were pawned by both of them showed that there existed between them that cordiality which was one of the great characteristics of foreigners. Analysing the evidence, the learned gentleman contended that the manner in which the prisoner conducted himself after his friend was missed was not consistent with the character of a murderer, who usually took every precaution to conceal his guilt. The circumstantial evidence, he urged, ought fairly to raise a doubt in the minds of the jury, and to the benefit of the doubt the prisoner was entitled. He did not say that the medical evidence ought to be viewed with suspicion, but it certainly ought to be viewed with very great care. The Solicitor-General replied, and referred briefly to a few of the main incidents of the case. He contended that Mr. Best had not advanced any theory consistent with the innocence of the prisoner, nor had he attempted to suggest who was the murderer, and under what circumstances the murder was committed if the prisoner was innocent. The Lord Chief Baron summed up, earnestly and anxiously impressing upon the jury that by the constitution of this country the decision rested with them, while the duty was imposed on them of giving an impartial and conscientious consideration to the faits before them. With regard to the manner in which the jury should proceed to determine their verdict he wished to say a word. Upon that point he was misrepresented in the address he delivered to the jury in a case of murder not long since. He had heard Lord Tenterden say—and he quite agreed with his dictum—that before a jury found a prisoner guilty they ought to have the same certainty that they would require in the transaction of their most important affairs—the highest degree of certainty which they ought to have in the practical business of life. Demonstration was not required, for absolute certainty was scarcely obtainable in any case. Any other doctrine would paralyse the law in its administration. The jury returned at 25 minutes past one o'clock, and at ten minutes before two returned, and asked several questions in reference to the distances froin the reed bed to the Commercial-road, the sugar-house, and other places. Having received information on these points they again retired. At five minutes past two they came again into court with a verdict of GUILT  Ntr. Justice Blackburn sentenced him to death. He remarked that the evidence was quite sufficient to warrant the verdict, and that there was no hope of mercy being extended to him.  --_____ The prisoner was then handed over to the Sheriff of Essex. The execution will take place at Chelmsford.  Liverpool Cotton Market—This Day.  The market opened with a steady demand. Sales, probably about 6,000 bales.  Railway Traffic