Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 302
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Dr. James W. Stone. Report of the Trial of
Professor John W. Webster ...
, 1850
,
Image No: 302
   Enlarge and print image (56K)           << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
293 son. Then contrast it with the supposed controlling proposition, that if Dr. Parkman had been in those places, other persons would have seen him. Take these things into consideration, and see if a reasonable doubt is produced. It is true, that the time is not of itself material to this case. If it should be established that he was seen at half past one, or two or three, or four o'clock still the crime may have been commit- ted. But the importance of this proof is this : Inasmuch as all the proof, on the other side, tends to establish the fact that he did go, about a quarter of two o'clock, into the Medical College, and that he did not come away, then it would have a tendency to control that proof, and render the fact doubtful. But if the evidence is oth- erwise, such as to prove that Dr. Parkman lost his life at the College, about two o'clock, on Friday, then it cannot be proved that he was abroad, whatever may have been the source of the mistake. But the question, whether he was abroad, bears upon that proof. Then the question is whether the defendant was there upon that day, and did meet Dr. Parkman by appointment, and did act upon that temptation to kill Dr. Parkman. It is not necessary to establish the fact of seducing him there ; but, if proved, then all implied malice is laid out of the case, because it is murder by express malice. On that Friday, Dr. Webster lectured. It was the last day he was to lecture, previous to the ensuing week. He remained there, as he says, till about half past one o'clock, and did meet Dr. Parkman, and paid him the money. Tracing the evidence, then, with regard to Dr. Webster, it appears that he was at Mr. Kidder's that afternoon ; and there is some evidence tending to show that he was at the College about six o'clock. This testimony is from Mr. Preston, a medical student, who was in the low wing, at the west end, where the students are in the habit of practising dissection, daily and constantly. Mr. Preston says he was coming out of the dissecting-room at about six o'clock. I think you will recall his testimony, though it was given pretty early in the trial. He states that he had an engagement at seven o'clock ; that his own tea hour was half past six o'clock; and that he started early enough from the College to reach home in season for tea ; so that he states it at six or half past six, that he saw Dr. Webster passing into the Col- lege shed. This is the evidence of that day. If there is no evidence beyond this - if Dr. Parkman is not seen afterwards - then the conclusion seems to be strong, that, having gone there in good health, and in one week found bereft of life, he came to his death, not by accident, not by the visitation of Providence ; because, if it had been by acci- dent, it would have been known,-there would be no motive to con- ceal it. The concealment, therefore, has a tendency to show, from the facts and circumstances under which this body was found- if that was his body-that he came to his death by violence. You will judge whether that is a natural and proper conclusion. If so, then the question arises, Were these his remains ? Was the body of Dr. Parkman found ? It has sometimes been said by Judges, that a Jury never ought to convict, in a capital case, unless the dead body is found. That, as a general proposition, is true. It some- times happens, however, that it cannot be found, where the proof of death is clear. Sometimes, in a case of murder at sea, the body is