Likeness of William Corder.
The trial of Corder took place at Bury St. Edmonds, on the 7th of August, 1828, before the Lord Chief Baron (Anderson). The prisoner pleaded “Not Guilty,” and the trial proceeded. On being called on for his defence, Corder read a manuscript paper. He declared that he deeply deplored the death of the unfortunate deceased, and he urged the jury to dismiss from their minds all that prejudice which must necessarily have been excited against him by the public press, &c. Having concluded his address, the Lord Chief Baron summed up, and a verdict of “Guilty” was returned. The Last Dying Speech and Confession had an enormous sale—estimated at 1,166,000, a fac-simile copy of which with the “Lamentable Verses,” said to have been written by Old Jemmy Catnach will be found on the next page.
CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF
THE MURDERER OF MARIA MARTEN.
Since the tragical affair between Thurtell and Weare, no event has occurred connected with the criminal annals of our country which has excited so much interest as the trial of Corder, who was justly convicted of the murder of Maria Marten on Friday last.
THE CONFESSION.