Recollections of John Thurtell, who was executed at Hertford on Friday, the 9th of January, 1824 for murdering Mr. W. Weare. Including various anecdotes, and an account of his demeanour after sentence was passed. Also, the condemned sermon, and a correct view of the execution, taken on the spot by an eminent artist / by Pierce Egan ; being an appendix to his account of the trial.

Pierce Egan

Date:: 1824

Credit: Recollections of John Thurtell, who was executed at Hertford on Friday, the 9th of January, 1824 for murdering Mr. W. Weare. Including various anecdotes, and an account of his demeanour after sentence was passed. Also, the condemned sermon, and a correct view of the execution, taken on the spot by an eminent artist / by Pierce Egan ; being an appendix to his account of the trial. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$was down, \as-it/is now,,.. (Pistol shown him.) Mr..Nicholls was with me when I found that pistol; when I, went to, Mr, ‘Nicholls: I ‘saw much ‘blood, large hole, in the hedge, and much blood... A gig could nut have turned'at of my knowledge an iron grey. I am certain they were the same persons. “I twelve o’clock. He had a large dog. it came to Mr, Nicholls’s house, but it must be near it, T had never seen either of the two persons before. | Richard Hunt was then called, when The prisoner Thurtell said,—I wish, my Lord, that you would again speak it may come on to-morrow. I am really so much fatigued and exhausted, that I particularly wish it may be postponed. I have been up since six o’clock this morning, and unless such a delay be granted, I shall really be unable to against me may be concluded. There is still a great number of witnesses to be examined, and under these circumstances, I trust that your Lordship will take my application into consideration. Mr. Justice Park. By the law of the land, a case of this sort must go on to its close; and I must do every thing in my power to conclude it, if the jury are disposed to proceed. That is a matter within their own breast. If they wish to proceed, they have faculties to goon, and are, of course, the best judges on the subject. I shall adopt either the one course or the other, with a view to their accommodation. : The prisoner Thurtell. Yes, my lord, Iam aware of that, I did not ad- dress myself to your lordship at this time. Mr. Justice Park. No, prisoner, so I understand. But the law of the land supposes that we must go on to a conclusion, and in my own experience, [ have sat 16 and 17 hoursin the day. : Thurtell. Gentlemen of the jury, I trust you will take what I have said into your consideration. , A The Judge, The gentlemen who are of counsel for the crown state to me, that for the prosecution very little remains to be done. : Thurtell. I beg to say that it will take two hours for Mr. Hunt and myself to go through our defence. The Court. We had better go on at all events with the case for the prose- cution, There are many reasons, I find, why we should do so. That case will now last only an hour or two: and after that, if we cannot conveniently goon, I will take an opportunity of again recommending your prayer to the jury. The prisoner Thurtell, in the whole of his conversation with the learned judge, was perfectly firm, temperate, and respectful. He seemed at the same time persevering in his request, and rational and attentive to the ob- jections urged. Richard Hunt, labourer, sworn and examined by Mr. Broderick. JI was with Harrington in Gill’s-hill-lane on Saturday, Oct. 25; I know no more than he does; I saw the two men passing through the lane; I should know them [ Mr. Broderick ‘ Look round” ;] the two gentlemen sitting there are they, | think (pointing to the two prisoners). One of them entered into con- versation, and said he was capsized out of a gig. One of them had a white hat, the side bulged in; another a black one. William Bulmer was next called. and examined by Mr. Bolland: I am.a labourer ; Iwas walking in Probert’s garden in October last ; on the morning after the murder, about six o’clock, L saw two persons in that garden ; the tallest of the two had a white hat; they went towards the house. : George Nichols examined; I know Mr, Probert; neither Probert nor any$

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