COMPLICATIONS AHEAD.
Reading edition
WHAT OUR CRIMINAL COURTS ARE COMING TO.
Extract from Speech of Counsel for Defence.
"Ladies of the Jury, I appeal to you; should such whiskers be hung? True, he killed his wife; but, as you know, she was a horrid jealous thing, and led her poor husband such a life. In my opinion, killing was too good for her. Ladies, be merciful; the prisoner hangs upon your lips. Consider his eyes; consider his nose. Were I married to a woman who called me an unprincipled wretch, wouldn't I kill her? Wouldn't I? Ladies, be generous." And so forth. (Jury retire, but return immediately with a verdict of Not Guilty; Judge, Jury, Counsel, and all shed tears and kiss indiscriminately. They take up a collection for the prisoner, who, next day, marries the Forewoman of the Jury, out of gratitude.)
