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ROBERT McCONAGHY. 619

human being (of which the court and jury has knowledge)
clear even of snapicion, Still it lies on the Commonwealth to
satisfy the jury by the evidence that the prisoner is guilty.
Tf that hes been done, it is the duty of the jury to pronounce
according to the evidence. If, on the whole case, they cannot
come to that conclusion, but doubt, rationally doubt—their
minds vacillating—it will operate in favor of the prisoner.

THE VERDICT AND SENTENCE.

The Jury, after a short delay, returned a verdiet of guilty.

Juver Burnes. Robert MeConaghy, you have been tried
by a jury of your countrymen for the ‘“‘wilful, deliberate,
and premeditated killing,” of Rosanna Brown, John Brown,
Elizabeth Brown, George Brown, Jacob Brown, and David
Brown.

The jury were of your own choosing. Able counsel were
assigned you. Compulsory process, at the expense of the
county, for any witness you might name, was awarded by
the court, Your case was carefully and patiently heard.
Your jury did not hesitate: they pronounced you guilty of
the highest crime known to our laws. The finding of the jury
fixes your guilt, and establishes the facts put in issue.

Your ease is without parallel in criminal jurisprudence.
John, your brother-in-law, of twenty-one years,—a young
man in the vigor of manhood,—you by falsehood and cunning
brought to his father’s dwelling, and the moment he reached.
it, from your covert, you sent a rifle ball through his breast.
Elizabeth and Jacob, you early on that fatel day, seduced
from their mother’s side; through the brains of the latter
you sent a rifle ball, and the skull of the former you beat
with stones. George and David you entrapped in a different
direction: the former, you treacherously disabled by a stroke
from your gun, and then you probably shot him and cut his
throat! The child David fled: you sent the rifle ball after him,
moet probably from the gun of George; it missed its deadly aim
but you were not to be disappointed in your work of death!

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