Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1890-10-04 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE BENWELL MURDER.  CLOSE OF A SENSATIONAL TRIAL.  BLECHALL SENTENCED TO DEATH.  ,The trial of Mitchell was brought to a dose on Monday. Many of the leading barristers of Canada attended the proceedings to hear the addresses of the oontuieL So great was the crowd that the judge and jury experienced much difficulty in reaching the Court - room. The evidence for the defence ekeed early in the day, and Mr Blackstock, counsel for the prisoner, began his address on behalf of prieoner. The main portion of the counsel's address was devoted to attacking thc evidence of witnesses who testified that they had seen two men on their way to the swamp, and had afterwa.rds perceived Mitchell returning alone. After an eloquent speech lasting five hours and twenty minutes Mr Blackstock in his closing words submitted that there was not one iota of evidence directly connecting the prisoner with the crime "There may come a day, he said, "when the mystery that surrounds the death of Mr Benwell will be solved. When the must is swept away, gentlemen of the jury, you will be glad that you considered the evidence in its entirety and performed your sworn duty. Some time or other, when the mystery is cleared up, be it by evidence or by the confession of the actual murderer, you will rejoice that you gave your verdict in accordance with my interpretation of the evidence submitted to you—Mrs liirohall,who was in Court, was much affected by counsel's address and wept at certain passages, but the prisoner himself showed no sign of emotion.—Mr Osier, Q.C., then replied on behalf of the prosecution. His speech was a terrible arraignment against the prisoner, and produced a deep impression in Court. The picture which he drew of an innocent youth being decoyed and murdered far from home and frends was so vivid that some of the ladies present fainted.—The Judge summed up, the jury retired at seven minutes to ten. The Judge also left his seat, and , the spectators in Court conversed freely as to the result of the trial, the majority anticipating a verdict of " Guilty," though a few thought the jury would disagree. The jury did not return , until 11.25, having been absent over an hour and Five minutes later the Judge reappeared, and took his seat on the bench. Birchen was brought into Court a quarter of an hour before midnight. He walked briskly from the entrance to his obi place in the dock, betraying no sign of fear except an unusual pallor, and a certain restlessness of the eyes, which he bent rapidly in half a dozen different directions. The Clerk of Arraigns asked the foreman of the jury (Mr George Christopher) if they had agreed upon their verdict. In low tones Mr Christopher replied, We have found the prisoner guilty."—Mr Helmuth asked that there should be a poll of the jury, which was done—Mr Osier then staked for sentence to be pronounced. "Stand up, John Reginald Mitchell," ordered the Judge. What have you to say why sentence should not be passed upon you t" ' "Only that I am not guilty," replied the prisoner, in firm, clear tones. with  The :Judge expressed his entire the verdict, and after a few feeling observations he in the usual form sentenced the prisoner to be hangoi, the execution to take plate on Friday, November 14th, in the gaol-yard, between the hours of eight o'clock in the morning and six in the evening.  htircriall slept well on Monday night, and rose on Tuesday morning in his usual self-posseesed manner. He passed the morning in his cell sketching. To prevent any attempt on the part of the prisoner to commit suicide, he will be kept under close watch both day and night until the date of the execution. Opiates were administered to Mrs Birchall before the conclusion of the trial, and she was kept under their influence until Tuesday morning, when she was informed of the sentence by her sister, Mrs West-Jones. The news was fearful shock to her, although she had little hope of any other result. Mrs Birchall said that she , would be taken to England before the sentence I was executed. One of the jurymen has stated that I they were unanimous in their verdict, and that if the Judge had not adjourned the Court for an hoar ' and a half their verdict would have been returned in ten minutes. The fact, he said, which had the greatest effect upon the jury's decision was that Birched' fflade no effort to explain his movements on FeLruary hut, 7the day of the murder. The prisoner's counsel is of opinion that nothing more can be done legally to save Birch&ll's life. Although a petition might possibly be got up, he believes it would be useless.