The Trial of Richard Patch: For the Wilful Murder of Isaac Blight, September 23, 1805, at Rotherhithe, in the County of Surry : Before the Right Hon. Sir A. MacDonald

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E. Jeffery, 1806 - 194 páginas

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Página 162 - Now, the observation made upon this is, that it was one of the most natural things in the world...
Página 144 - ... decide upon my guilt or innocence, instead of suffering me to be tried by the Gentlemen impannelled during the Assizes at Kingston for that purpose ; for however unprejudiced twelve gentlemen on a jury may endeavour to keep their minds, every man is taught by his experience, as well as his feelings, how extremely .difficult it is to separate the account of the transaction laid before him in evidence, from that which he has heard from common report. Gentlemen, I trust, therefore, that you will...
Página 145 - ... pointed out to the fury of the public, apprehends hostility from every quarter, and naturally expects that every person who comes into Court is prepared to take part against him. We are taught by our feelings, and our painful experience, how reluctant the human mind is to relieve itself from errors to which it has submitted; but certainly in a case of such importance to the public and myself, I have no doubt you will divest yourselves of every thing you may have heard elsewhere, and attend to...
Página 194 - April next, and that, at two o'clock in the afternoon of that day, you be taken thence to the place of execution, and there be hanged by the neck till you are dead! dead! dead ! And may the Almighty God have mercy on your soul...
Página 160 - When circumstances connect themselves closely with each other, when they form a large and strong body so as to carry conviction to the minds of a jury, it may be proof of a more satisfactory sort than that which is direct. In some lamentable instances it has been known that a short story has been got by heart by two or three witnesses; they have been consistent with themselves, they have been consistent with each other, swearing positively to a fact, which fact has turned out afterwards not to be...
Página 150 - ... he executed several instruments, and made various alterations in his property, for the purpose of protecting it against their claims ; therefore, from the papers of such a person no satisfactory evidence can possibly be expected; on his statement as to his claim, or his declarations as to any instrument, no reliance can be placed ; many apparently solemn instruments were undoubtedly fictitious; as for example, the assignment of the15th of July, and all other papers connected with that transaction.
Página 154 - ... and her situation was only a few feet from either of those places, she therefore had the fullest means of knowing what she has said upon that subject. I solemnly protest that her account of it is correct, and that I had not the opportunity, and therefore could not be the murderer; for it must be "admitted, that if Esther Kitchener's account of hearing the report of the pistol and the shutting of the necessary door be correct, it is impossible I can be guilty.
Página 162 - Mr Cooper staid till next morning at 7... he asked Mr Blight whether there was any person whom he suspected of having committed the act. His answer was: "No — God knows I never did any man an injury that could lead him to take my life : but Patch has mentioned to me a man of the name of Webster.
Página 169 - I am persuaded, that if any one were to examine with a watch, which marks the seconds, how much longer a space of time a few seconds or a few minutes really are than people in general conceive them to be, they would be surprized...
Página 160 - ... turned out afterwards not to be true. It is almost impossible for a variety of witnesses, speaking to a variety of circumstances, so to concert a story, as to impose upon a jury by a fabrication of that sort, so that where it is cogent, strong, and powerful, where the witnesses do not contradict each other, or do not contradict themselves, it MAY BE evidence more satisfactory than even direct evidence ; and there are more instances than one where that has been the case...

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