The Express. — 1858-11-12 (London, England)

TRIAL 70R NUBDER LW 800TWID.  The trial of William Reid for murder by procuring abortion, was opened at the High Court of indicter', Edinburgh, on Wednesday. The prisoner, who resided with hie mother at Smallburn, three mites from Falkirk, and Arks Is most respectably connacted, was tried in September, 1867 along with another young man, at the Sdrllngshire for breach of tenet and embezzlement, in so far as be end abetted the frauds of the late Henry Salmon, manager of the branch of the Commercial Bank at Fad* wU. it may be remembered, on hie extensive &Alsatians being dia. covered, took to flight, and eventually committed =War In the court-yard of a Welsh inn. The two young men were not impacted of participation in the mottles appropriated by Salmon, but ware nevertheless convicted of the canoe and were each sentenced to two years' imprison. ahmesestrird/Ths represenuatons made to the Home Secretary. however, succeeded in procuring the liberation of both at or before ths expiry of six months. Reid accordingly renamed to his mother's house in April last, and resided there end the occurrence of the event which a second time blimp him he the criminal her. His mother's servant, Margaret Taylor, had become pregnant by him, and been so three or font months, and he, in conjunction with the deceased, Dr. Thome Girdwood, used matrumeete, it is said, to cause bar to abort. This criminal sot proved fatal to the yew woman the next day; the night of her death the doctor who gave his aid committed suicide by taking laudanum, while Vold himself fled, bet web apprehended in Glasgow the fol. lowing day. The beach was occupied by the Lord Julio, Clerk, Lord Cowan and Lord Atrinillan. The Lord Advocate, the Sobcdtcnoareetral, sad Mr. Adam appeared for the crown; and the Dean of Faculty, Mr. Hair, and Mr. Morrison for • the prisoner. The prisoner pleaded "not guilty," and a jury were ~andkd. The witnesses examined concluded with the mother of the deceased, the mother of the prisoner, Dr. Myrtle, Dr. Gird. wood (father of the prisoner's supposed socomplior), end Mr. Hamilton, the physician at Falkirk. The medical evidence was unanimous as to death having been caused by mechanical violence. The last-named witness was interrogated at oonaderable length as to the character, effect, and course of the wounds, and also as to the probable means of indicting them. He considered that the operation had been recklessly conducted, but whether by a surgeon's hand or as unpractised hand be could not say. Hs had seen= instances or recklessness even on the part of prat men.  It being six o'clock, and several witnesses to examine is the promention, the court roes. Tilde* were Altana witnesses for the defence. The num has excited peat interest in Adinburgh and the neighbourhood, end the court ma crowded to mem ohs whole day. The primmer maintaimit • stoical indifference throughout, tempt when his mother was giving ber evklence, when his feelings were apparently meth manila upon. At tne commencement of the trial the Lord Jestkm Clerk remarked that as the case would probably occupy more than one day, the press would no doubt publish the evidenos before the trial was completed. To that the mart hal no objection ; but he trusted they would abstain from making any remarks upon It until the lamination al ohs trial.  (NY =scram