TRIALS. the trustworthiness of their evidence. The closeness and the skill with which the various witnesses, especially those for the defence, were cross-examined and compelled to admit that they could not really distinguish the symptoms of Cook from those of poisoning by strychnine was such an illustration of the efficiency of cross-examination as is rarely indeed afforded. The defence was by far the least impressive part of the trial, but that was mainly because there was in reality nothing to say. It was impossible to suggest any innocent explanation of Palmer's conduct. It was proved to demonstration that he was in dire need of money in order to avoid a prosecution for forgery, that he robbed his friend of all he had by a series of devices which he must instantly have discovered if he had lived, that he provided himself with the means of committing the murder just before Cook's death, and that he could neither produce the poison he had bought nor suggest any innocent reason for buying it. There must have been some mystery in the case which was never discovered. Palmer, at and before his execution, was repeatedly pressed to say whether he was guilty or not, and was told that every one would believe him to admit his guilt if he did not emphatically deny it. He would say only, “He "was not poisoned with strychnine;" and I have reason to know that he was anxious that Dr. Herapath should examine the body for strychnine, though aware that he said he could detect the fifty-thousandth part of a grain. He may have discovered some way of administering it which would render discovery impossible, but it is difficult to doubt that he used it, for, if not, why did he buy it? case. I am tempted to make one other observation on Palmer's His career supplied one of the proofs of a fact which many kind-hearted people seem to doubt, namely, the fact that such a thing as atrocious wickedness is consistent with good education, perfect sanity, and everything, in a word, which deprives men of all excuse for crime. Palmer was respectably brought up; apart from his extravagance and vice, he might have lived comfortably enough. He was a model of physical health and strength, and was courageous, determined, and energetic. No one ever suggested that there was even TRIALS. TRIALS. 1 THE CASE OF WILLIAM DOVE. ON the 16th July, 1856, William Dove was indicted at York for the murder of his wife, Harriet Dove, and, after a trial before Baron Bramwell which occupied four days, was convicted. His case is remarkable as an illustration of the practical application of the principles of law relating to the criminal responsibility of madmen discussed in a preceding chapter. Dove was a man of about thirty, and had been married to his wife, at the time of her death, between four and five years. He had about £100 a year of his own, and lived with his wife at various places. At the time of her death (Saturday, March 1, 1856), they had been living at Leeds since a few days before the previous Christmas. A servant, Elizabeth Fisher, who lived with them for about a year before Mrs. Dove's death, proved that for some time they had lived very unhappily. He was often drunk and violent, and they had quarrels in consequence. On one occasion, he was so violent that the servant went out for help, and he threw a bottle at her on her return. Another time, the servant saw him holding Mrs. Dove with one hand and threatening to kill her with a knife which he had in the other. Afterwards, when she asked for a part of some money which he had got, he said "he would rather give "it to any one than her, and he would give her a pill that "would do for her." This made so much impression on Mrs. Dove, that she told the servant (in Dove's presence) that he 1 This account is taken from the notes of Lord Bramwell, who was so kind as to lend them to me for the purpose. I have followed throughout their very words, though the form in which they are taken is of course at times elliptical, and though there are one or two obvious slips of the pen. had said so; and also said to her, on the morning when she left their service, "Elizabeth, if I should die and you are "away at the time, it is my wish that you tell my friends to "have my body examined." Elizabeth Fisher went home on Tuesday, February 19th, and on the following Saturday (the 23rd) her mother, Anne Fisher, came to take her place. On the Monday, before breakfast, Mrs. Dove was quite well. After breakfast, she went up stairs to make the beds, and complained of feeling very strange. In a short time, symptoms came on which, no doubt, were those of poisoning by strychnine. The attack went off, but she remained in bed, and was attended by Mr. Morley, who was fetched for the purpose by Dove. She had similar attacks on the Wednesday, the Thursday, and a very bad one on the Friday night. Through the early part of Saturday (March 1) she was better, but, about halfpast eight in the evening, another attack came on, and she died at about twenty minutes to eleven. A post-mortem examination made by Mr. Morley and Mr. Nunneley proved, beyond all doubt, that she had died of strychnine. Substances extracted from the body poisoned several animals, which died from symptoms identical with those which were produced in other animals poisoned with strychnine procured for the purpose elsewhere. It was equally clear that the poison was administered with the intention of destroying life, with premeditation, and with precautions intended to conceal it. Mrs. Dove had been unwell, though not seriously, for some time before her death, and had been attended by Mr. Morley for about three months. Dove used to go to his surgery for medicines. "He came (said Elletson, a pupil of Mr. Morley's) "a month before her "death. We talked about 1 Palmer's trial. He said Palmer had poisoned his wife by repeated doses of antimony. It was mentioned Cook had been poisoned by strychnine. "Dove said strychnine could not be detected after death. I "said it could. I mentioned nitric acid as a test. I showed "him the amount in Pereira's Materia Medica. He took it "in his hand and read it, page 903, &c. He said his house " was infested with wild cats, which he wished to destroy. He 1 See last Case. TRIALS. TRIALS. "said he thought laying poison would be the best way. I "said I thought it would. He asked me for some strychnine. "I gave him some, about ten grains, wrapped as a powder in a piece of foolscap paper. I wrote 'poison' on it." He afterwards got from three to five grains more in the same manner, and he was seen by Mr. Morley's coachman in the surgery when no one was there. As he had observed, in the course of his conversation with Elletson, the place where the strychnine bottle was kept, he had, on this occasion, an opportunity of obtaining a further supply if he chose. He did poison two cats with the strychnine thus obtained, and also a mouse, thus giving colour to his possession of the poison. Besides the circumstances which showed that Dove lived on bad terms with his wife and had threatened her, evidence was given to show that he had formed designs upon her life. During her illness, he told Mrs. Thornhill, a widow, that he had been to the witchman, who said Mrs. Dove had not long to live. He added that, as soon as she died, he would make an offer to the lady next door. In the course of her illness, he repeatedly told Mr. Morley, the surgeon, that he thought she would not recover, notwithstanding Mr. Morley's opinion to the contrary. He also told a woman named Hicks that she would not get over the disease, and that he should most likely marry again, as no one could expect him, a young man, to remain single. He told the same witness, on the day of Mrs. Dove's death, that Mrs. Dove would not have another attack till half-past ten or eleven; and on being asked whether the attacks came on periodically made no answer. Lastly, on the evening of her death, he gave her a dose of medicine. She complained of the taste being very hot, and in about a quarter of an hour was seized with all the symptoms of strychnine poisoning which continued till her death. Some other evidence upon the subject was given, but it is needless to go into it. It is enough to say that it was proved beyond the possibility of doubt on the part of the prosecution, whilst it was hardly denied on the part of the prisoner, that he caused her death by the repeated administration of doses of strychnine, which he had procured for that purpose under false pretences, and which he administered in order to destroy |