The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1881-11-12 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

CLOSING SCENES OF THE TRIAL.  Under the above heading the Globe of Tuesday gave the following sketch :  "When the jury retired to consider their verdict, it was observable, as ominous of their decision, that the foreman left his overcoat on the back of his chair in the jury-box. Slight as the incident was, it was accepted as foreboding a rapid decision on the part of the jury. There had been a feeling abroad that somehow they would not agree to a verdict at all, while not a few were prepared for an acquittal. The judge kept his seat on the bench after the jury ratired, and chatted with the High Sheriff and other gentlemen. The prisoner was still kept in the dock, and his pitiable appearance contrasted with the lively aspect of those who talked or whispered in one great subdued chorus of expectation and speculation. • The prisoner ought to be removed below, was on the lips of many, and while a feeling of sympathy for his isolated and perilous position was generally making itself felt. A noise at the bank of the court caused all eyes to turn in the direction of the jury-boy, where emerging from behind a crimson curtain, the foreman was seen leading the way for his colleagues into court. Lord Coleridge tinned rapidly to Mr. Setularoore, the Under Shetiti, who was bitting on his right, and v‘ hispered a word. The jury were soon iu their places, the prisoner's doom being dei,icted on every one of their countenances. One aged juror hid his face with , his handkerchief ; another gave way to tears, and one gentleman at the end of the box actually trembled with emotion' and in order to support himself had to grasp the gas bracket beside him. "In reply to the Clerk of Arraigns, the jury answered to their names in scarcely audible tones, and the next moment the Foreman, with an effort to be firm, pronounced the verdict of the jury, that they found the prisoner Guilty. A deep wail, as of a woman, in the back part of the court, added a deeper gloom to the (Abel wise awful silence prevailing. Being called upon to state any reason why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, Lefroy answered in a reinulous voice, I have only to thank the gentlemen of the jury for their great care.' He did not finish the sentence because he was interrupted by the crier of the Court proclaiming ` Silence ' for the passing of the sentence of death. Lord Coleridge, eviOently deeply moved, assumed the black cap, and, before bowing low his head, proceeded to pronounce the capital sentence of the law. The dread ceremony was over in two minutes, and a quarter of an hour of awful and harrowing suspense had ended. But the last word was not even then said. Lefroy, standing in dramatic attitude, turned to the gentlemen of the jury, and while he clutched the iron railings in front of him said to them with great deliberation and in tones of sepulchral depth, Gentlemen, some day, too late, you will find that you have murdered me. The chief warder held him by the shoulder as he spoke, and now led him below, out of sight of those who, hi all human probability, looked upon the prisonek for the last time.