Reports of Trials for Murder by Poisoning; / by Prussic Acid, Strychnia, Antimony, Arsenic, and Aconita. Including the trials of Tawell, W. Palmer, Dove, Madeline Smith, Dr. Pritchard, Smethurst, and Dr. Lamson, with chemical introduction and notes on the poisons used

by G. Lathom Browne; active 19th century C. G. Stewart

Lord Campbell’s subsequent remarks on the witnesses who were called to contradict those for the prosecution as to the state of Cook’s health, the incident of the brandy and water at Shrewsbury, and the possibility of Palmer arriving in Rugeley from London at the time spoken to by Newton, have already been given in previous notes. In conclusion, he said,

“The conduct of the prisoner in requesting to have the body fastened up, with respect to the betting book, and the tampering with the coroner, remained unanswered, as did also the bribe offered to the postboy. No explanation was offered as to the strychnia purchased by the prisoner on the Tuesday morning, the proof of which stands uncontradicted; no evidence has been given of any purpose to which it was to be applied, and no explanation of what became of that poison. The case was now before the jury. They must not act upon suspicion, or even strong suspicion, and they must only pronounce a verdict of guilty if their minds were made up. If, however, they could come to the conclusion that he was guilty, they would return such a verdict unfettered and undeterred by any intimidation.”

Mr. Serjeant Shee objected to the question put to the jury by the judge. He submitted that the question, whether the symptoms of Cook’s death were consistent with death by strychnia was a wrong one, unless coupled with the words “and inconsistent with death from natural causes,” and that the question should then be “whether the medical evidence established beyond all reasonable doubt that the death of Cook was attributable to strychnia.”

Baron Alderson.—“That is the question that has been put.”

Mr. Serjeant Shee submitted that the question whether the symptoms were consistent with strychnia ought not to have been put.

Lord Campbell.—“ I have told the jury that, unless they think the symptoms described agree with the supposition that the deceased died from strychnia, they must acquit the prisoner.”

Baron Alderson.—“That has been stated in the speech.”

After some further remarks from Mr. Serjeant Shee, Lord Campbell told the jury that not only must they be satisfied that the symptoms described agreed with the supposition that the deceased died from strychnia, but that it was administered by the prisoner.

The jury retired at 2.20, and at 3.45 returned a verdict of guilty, and Lord Campbell passed sentence of death, to be carried out at Stafford jail.