THE WIMBLEDON POISONING CASE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2845, 8 May 1882, Page 2

THE WIMBLEDON POISONING CASE.

The following account of tho last scene in the trial of Dr Lamson is from a Homo paper “ Three warders had

taken up their position behind the culprit, who clasped his hands together, and seemed for the moment in despair, but ho quickly recovered his self-pos-session, and as the Clerk of the Arraigns. . asked him whether ho had anything to say, he folded his arms together, and in ' a clear voice, with eyes uplifted, slowly and deliberately replied—“ merely to’ protest my innocence before God*’’' There was again another pause while the judge put on the black cap, and while his lordship pronounced the few words which preceded the sentence the prisoner remained with folded arms, but with eyes cast down, and leaning partly for support against the warders. ? .• He made a slight bow as the judge' !?' told him that it was his .duty to sentence him to death, He again bowed as the last few solemn words were pronounced. His lordship having apparently finished, Lamson raised his eyes to the court and watched the judgo--eagerly as he added the announcement that he would be taken to Wandsworth Jail; then half throwing himself back m the arms of his warders, he was almost lifted from the dock, the final scene of the six days’ trial not having ■ lasted ■ more than ten minutes. Tho prisoner’s wife was not in court during the afternoon. From the moment when she accompanied her husband to Scotland Yard, when she threw herself upon her knees and offered up a prayer for his deliverance, she has steadfastly re- * fused .to. believe him guilty of the heinous crime charged against him, and ■; during the trial she has been a constant attendant. It was ■ noticed' that the strain was almost too much for her, .. and yesterday she almost fainted. ! She continued in court to-day until ' tho speech for the defence was concluded when she was removed to a ; room in - i the building. It was, however, thought advisable, that she should not be so near at the time the verdict was delivered, and her friend accordingly took her from the [building when itwas evident { the Judge was rapidly bringing, his , r , f remarks to a close. The prisoner will [' be removed to-night to Wandsworth. J J gaol, where he will remain to the day of : execution, tho offence having beep, committed in the county of Surrey. The prisoner appeared very restless during : the last hour of the summing up, alternately leaning his head on his hand and watching each new-comer who came on the Bench. He would first rock ' himself to and fro, then draw his fingers through his hair, and finally rested his eyes on the floor with a most downcast mien. As the’ Judge 'commenced the last feur sentences to the jury in unusually measured tones, Lamson several times endeavoured to. v , catch the eye of his solicitor, but it v was not until the jury liad retired' that ’ ” he was enabled to speak to that gentle- v." man. He retired below for a few minutes, and again reappeared in the dock for the purpose of signing several private documents of a pressing character. He did riot stay in the dock more than a,few minutes, but it was ' noticed that he showed great self possession at the very moment when the jury were in consultation to decide his fate, and his signatures were, pro- . nounced by those who saw them as being firm and bold in character. The usual hum was observed among tho spectators until it was announced that thb : > '■ jury; had agreed upon their verdict, after being absent from court 35; i i minutes. A period of painful suspense 1! ■ followed while the judge was seat for,; , c the prisoner in the meantime standing ' ' ' on the top stair at the back of the dock waiting fori his doopi.There, could I hp;' no doubt as to what the verdict was on ' ui ,\ looking at the; faces of the jury y two; or three had tears streaming down their . r cheeks, and most of the ''Others were ghrisjtly pale.”