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endeavor, scrupulously, not to preoccupy your minds, or to forestall
your judgm eats, by any comments upon or inferences from that evi-
dence. Nor shall I indulge in the discussion of any general topics,
however naturally they may seem to be suggested by or to grow out
of the facts presented to you. But I shall content myself, and feel that
I shall best discharge the duty devolving upon me in doing so, with
presenting you with an outline of the facts; not going into a detailed
and minute statement of every fact, but with such an outline of the
facts within the possession of the Government, as will facilitate your
inquiry, and indicate the grounds upon which the Grand Jury, an-
other body of your fellow-citizens, acting under the like sanctions which
have now been imposed upon you, have made their presentment
against this prisoner.
That presentment involves two general propositions. The first is,
that Dr. George Parkman, the person named in the indictment, has
been murdered. The second is, that he was murdered by John W.
Webster, the prisoner at this bar. I propose, Gentlemen, to give you
an outline of the evidence applicable to these two propositions, inde-
pendent of each other, and then to ask your consideration, under the
direction of the Honorable Court, to the form in which they have been
presented by the Grand Jury in the several counts of the indictment,
and the law applicable to them.
We shall offer, then, Gentlemen, in the first place, evidence to show
you that Dr. George Parkman, a well-known and highly respectable
citizen of Boston, was living, in good health and cheerful spirits, on
the morning of Friday, the twenty-third day of November last; that
he was engaged in his usual occupations, on that day, up to fifteen
minutes before two o'clock, at which time he was last seen alive,
about entering the Medical Building in Grove-street.
He did not return to his dinner on that day ; a fact which, on account
of the habits of Dr. Parkman, was of itself calculated to excite some
uneasiness in his family. He was a man scrupulously careful to be
home at the ordinary hours of his meals ; and if ever necessitated to
be absent, he was most particular in apprising his family of the cause,
and of his whereabouts. It will appear that he had at that time an
invalid daughter to whom he was tenderly attached, in whom he was
as much bound up as a father ever is in his child; and upon that
day, on account of her condition, and to administer to her wants in
the sick chamber, he had purchased a quantity of lettuce, which, at
that season, was a rare plant, and which will appear from the evidence,
he intended to take home with him in going to his dinner.
It will appear that Dr. Parkman left some lettuce in a shop near
the Medical College, with the intention of returning to take it, and
thence to carry it home. At that shop, it will appear that he made
certain purchases. He did not return. The lettuce remained there.
After he went to the Medical College, although he was expected to
return in a few minutes to take it, he did not return, and he did not
return to his home.
His friends and his family became alarmed. They waited, how-
ever, till the next morning, before any public movement was made in
relation to it. On that day, those connected with him, those who had
been in his employment, those who had transacted business for him,
those who knew him and knew his habits, were informed of his disap-
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