Glasgow Courier. — 1848-04-29 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

MIIRDE EL.  Andrew Paterson, farm-grieve and cattle-dealer, was chal with murder, in so far as that, on the night of the 170 or toor . . .  of the 18th of February last, he attacked Mary M'Harg or Pats son, his wife' upon the road leading from the village of Stone.s. kirk, by the house of North Milmaiu, and struck her with ins foot or with some instrument several severe blows, and intlitt,d upon her wounds in consequence of which she immediately shortly afterwards died. He pleaded not guilty. A jury s thereupon impannelled and a long coarse of circumstantial but very intricate evidence was led, from which it appeared that the deceased was, and had long been, addicted to habits of intemperance. On the night in which the crime was said to hose been perpetrated, Paterson, the prisoner, was drinking in a public-house in Stoney kirk, and his wife having first called and purchased two gills of whisky, returned about twelve o'clock and requested her husband to go house with her, which he consented to do, and left the house along with her. About an hour afterwards he reached his house bearing his wife in his arms, who by that time appeared to be dead. Her clothes were saturated with blood, and to all appearance she bad died of a profuse hemorrhage. The evidence went minutely into a great many of thqs alleged circumstances of her death, and also of numerous quarrels between her and her husband, arising not (infrequently from her intemperate habits. It was attempted to be established that the hemorrhage had been occasioned by acts of shocking violence, perpetrated by the husband while on the road home. Medical evidence was led as to the nature of the wounds which a post-mortnn examination of the body exhibited, and which according to that testimony were amply sufficient to cause death. The deceased and the prisoner had a family of nine children, the eldest of whom was about fifteen years of age, and the youngest about three weeks old. Somewhat conflicting testimony was led as to the exact nature of the account Paterson gave of the circumstances connected with the cause of his wife's death, although it was clearly established that she was in the enjoyment of good health on the previous day. The statements made by the panel were mainly to the effect, that as they were returning home she alleged she had suddenly become very unwell, and that, becoming faint, she had fallen and had bled very profusely. He at first, after having sent for a doctor, seemed anxious to have the body examined; bat afterwards endeavoured to prevent any such investigation. A considerable amount at- evidence was led for the defence, which went to prove that in general the prisoner bore a good character, although be had on several occasions been known to strike his wife when she was in a state of intoxication.  'I he case being concluded, Mr. DEMI, in addressing the jury, showed that by the concurrence of the medical testimony, as well , as that of the other witnesses, no ground was left for any other supposition, than that Mrs. Paterson had been foully and brutally murdered by the prisoner at the bar. Mr. Loose, on the part of the prisoner, addressed the jury at some length. The Loan .Tnerrice-Ctena, with much minuteness, went over the whole of the evidence, commenting on it as he went along, and pointing out in a clear and pains-taking manner, the bearings of the different points upon the case. He stated that unquestionably there was some obscurity in the case, particularly as regarded the crime of murder ; but he pointed out that although not contained In the indictment, there was still an alternative of culpable homicide, a verdict of which, if satisfied with the evidence, they might record. It was, however, for the Jury, In the application of their common sense to the circumstances of the case, to determine on this point. . . . . .  Tlie jury retired at about twenty-live minutes past seven o'clock, and, after remaining enclosed for better than a quarter of an hour, came into court, and returned a verdict, unanimously finding the prisoner guilty of culpable homicide. The court deferred the sentence till next day (Thursday). During the absence of the jury, sentences of (agitation and outlawry were recorded against MC2IIIIIII, George Raining, and AAR Murphy, for non-appearance. The court then adjourned.