Alexandria Gazette

A Queer Jury.

It is now going on two years since the Rev. Dr. Downey, of Staunton, was thrown into prison on a charge of having killed a man named Wm. Mullins, in Staunton. This Mullins was a single man, and, according to report, rather addicted to fooling with simple minded Irish girls by promises of marriage with very little regard for the performance of the same. Mullins seduced under such a promise a young girl in the employ of Downey. Her character previously stood untarnished. Her employer wanted that the wronged girl should have justice done to her, and in his efforts to make Mullins keep his promise and marry her, a dispute or scuffle arose between them, and Mullins got shot, as alleged by Dr. Downey. On this charge the accused has stood three trials and is now incarcerated to stand his fourth trial about May next in Albemarle county.

The last jury, who failed to agree on his case, stood in the following remarkable manner: Three were for instant acquittal of the prisoner; three were for his imprisonment in jail for one year, but in order to agree, they would prefer going for his acquittal. The six who opposed a verdict of "not guilty" stood as follows: One for five years' confinement in the penitentiary or hanging, one for eight years in the penitentiary; one for eighteen years; two for fifteen years, and one for two years. It is said that seven men of this jury had been twice married and had eighty children!

About Staunton the more the matter and evidence in this remarkable trial are examined and discussed, the more popular opinion and sympathy work in favor of Dr. Downey and the opinion is fast spreading to the effect that this prosecution against him is being carried too far.--Rich. Enq.