A Whim, and Its Consequences: Collection of British Authors Vol. CXIVJames, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
General
A Whim, and Its Consequences: Collection of British Authors Vol. CXIV
James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
Fiction
o'clock when he went out. Now, the murder could not have been
committed before twenty minutes past five. This is the evidence
tending to show that the prisoner was in the grounds and went towards
the fatal spot some time before the crime was perpetrated. He never
denies, or has denied, that such was the case. He admitted it in
conversation with Mr. Tracy. He said he had been speaking to Miss
Tracy within a very few yards of the place where the body was found.
And here I must remark upon two circumstances well worthy of your
consideration. First: that the counsel for the prosecution have not
thought fit to call Miss Tracy; but threw upon us the burden of so
doing. Now, Acton, the gardener, might have no hesitation in calling
that young lady; but, Mr. Chandos Winslow may have many reasons for
not subjecting one towards whom he entertains high respect--may I not
say affection?--to the torturing cross-examination of an adverse
counsel. Suffice it, gentlemen of the jury, that he refuses to call
her; and, respecting his motives, I have ventured to argue, but not to
insist.--She should have been called for the prosecution. The other
important fact to which I must call your particular attention is this,
that although it is proved the prisoner was in the grounds a short
time before the murder, we have it in evidence that some one else was
in the grounds exactly at the time when the murder must have taken
place. Michael Burwash, has sworn, that some ten minutes or
quarter-of-an-hour after Mr. Roberts went to the place where he met
his death, he saw some person enter the house from that very
direction, walking in a quick and hurried manner; that he passed
through the green-house instead of taking the usual entrance, as if he
desired to avoid observation. Who was it? The witness says it was not
Mr. Tracy, or General Tracy; and certainly not the prisoner at the
bar. I do not wish to throw any imputations; but the fact is proved,
that there was some man, not the prisoner, in the grounds at the very
time the murder must have been committed.
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