The Sun. — 1856-05-29 (London, England)

TILE CONVICT PALMER.  Notwithstanding the unanimous verdict of the jury, Palmer, immediately after the proceedings on Tuesday, complained to the under-sheriff that he had not received a fair trial. The under-sheriff observed that he had !no reason to complain, and reminded him that all the judges agreed in the finding of the jury. Palmer's reply wasir Well, sir, but that don't satisfy me." During the charge of Lord Campbell he repeatedly communicated verbally and by written messages with Mr. John Smith, his solicitor, and the counsel conducting his case. After the learned judge had concluded, he addressed a noire to Mr. Smith, in which he stated that Lord Campbell's summing up was very unfair towards him, and that, consequently, the jury must be prejudiced against him. He added, however, the expression of his belief that they would find a verdict of not guilty. When informed by the under-sheriff, after the sentence was passed, that ho must prepare immediately to return to his former quarters in Stafford gael, he asked by what railway he was to be conveyed—and, on being told that the London and North-Western was the usual and most direct route, he begged that he might be taken by the Great Western Railway, as he stated that he was so well known on the North-Western that he would be recognised all along the line. The under-sheriff informed him that his request could not be complied with, and he acquiesced without any further observation. As it was suspected that the prisoner might attempt to commit suicide, and thus defeat the ends of justice, a now suit of clothes'was prepared for him, which he was directed to put on after his return to his apartment at Newgate. No person was allowed to see him or communicate with him after the sentence was passed, except the under-sheriff and the authorities of the prison. Immediately after the verdict was delivered a telegraphic despatch was forwarded to the governor of Stafford gaol, requesting him to provide accommodation for the prisoner ; and on the arrival of the train at Stafford at about 11 o'clock, a fly was in waiting., in which he was conveyed toithe gaol. Mr. John Smith and Mr. George Palmer, the prisoner's brother, are taking steps to lay before the Home Secretary a statement of facts, mainly in connection with the medical evidence, which they hope will induce the right hon. gentleman to recommend her Majesty to exercise the prerogative of mercy by mitigating the capital sentence. The grounds on which the appeal will be made are the conflict of medical evidence, and the absence of any direct proof that poison had been administered to the deceased. Several communications have been forwarded by various medical practitioners detailing cases of tetanus from natural causer, accompanied by symptoms similar to those spoken to in Cook's case ; and although some of those communications were not forwarded in time to be used at the trial, the prisoner's friends are sanguine iu the hope that they may have a favourable influence in the only quarter to which an appeal can now he made. It seems that, during the trial, the prisoner expressed a belief that one at least of the jurymen, whose pveonnel appeared to attract his attention, was not the man to return a verdict of guilty, and on more than one occasion, in his communication with his counsel and his solicitor, alluded to this gentleman. The jury were accommodated at the London Coffee-house. A large room was prepared for them, fitted up with 16 beds, and they were 12 days " seques• tered" from their families, friends, and pursuits. Some members of their families were admitted to see them, but only in the presence of one of the officers of the court, and their dormitory was locked atakight to prevent the possibility of communicating with the external world. The accouchement of the wife of one of the jurors took place during his detention, and an application was male to Lord Campbell to allow him to go home and see her, in the presence of an officer of the court. Lord Campbell, on ascertaining that the lady's health was not in danger, said he felt bound to refuse the application, as, it he granted it, he must in fairness concede a similar favour to the whole of the remaining jurors, should they make an application to visit their families. On Sunday week one of the jurors had a narrow e,cape of his life. While walking in Epping. Forest one of the large trees was blown down by the tempest, and fell with a great crash within a few inches of his path, but, fortunately, without doiag any injury.