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Story
April 15, 1840
The North Carolina Standard
Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
James Wood, a confectioner, was acquitted in Philadelphia's Court of Oyer and Terminer of murdering his daughter Sarah Ann Peake last autumn, on grounds of insanity. The jury deliberated briefly after strong evidence and a short charge from Judge King. Wood will be confined to a lunatic asylum.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
ACQUITTAL OF JAMES WOOD.
The trial before the Court of Oyer and Terminer, of James Wood, the confectioner, for the murder of his daughter, Sarah Ann Peake, last Autumn, was closed last night at 10 o'clock, the Jury bringing in a verdict of "Not Guilty on the ground of insanity."
The trial was terminated somewhat sooner than was expected, the case having been submitted to the jury without argument and under merely a charge from the Court, at the instance of Messrs. Johnson and Brooke on the part of the Commonwealth.
The evidence to sustain the ground of insanity was regarded as so great as not to require discussion on either side, and the evidence was followed by a brief charge from Judge King, after which the jury retired for a few minutes, and returned with the verdict given above. Wood remains in the custody of the court under the act of Assembly providing for such cases, and will be immediately removed from prison to a lunatic asylum, there to be confined as long as his condition may seem to require.—Philadelphia Pennsylvanian.
The trial before the Court of Oyer and Terminer, of James Wood, the confectioner, for the murder of his daughter, Sarah Ann Peake, last Autumn, was closed last night at 10 o'clock, the Jury bringing in a verdict of "Not Guilty on the ground of insanity."
The trial was terminated somewhat sooner than was expected, the case having been submitted to the jury without argument and under merely a charge from the Court, at the instance of Messrs. Johnson and Brooke on the part of the Commonwealth.
The evidence to sustain the ground of insanity was regarded as so great as not to require discussion on either side, and the evidence was followed by a brief charge from Judge King, after which the jury retired for a few minutes, and returned with the verdict given above. Wood remains in the custody of the court under the act of Assembly providing for such cases, and will be immediately removed from prison to a lunatic asylum, there to be confined as long as his condition may seem to require.—Philadelphia Pennsylvanian.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Madness
What keywords are associated?
Murder Trial
Insanity Acquittal
James Wood
Sarah Ann Peake
Philadelphia Court
What entities or persons were involved?
James Wood
Sarah Ann Peake
Judge King
Messrs. Johnson And Brooke
Where did it happen?
Philadelphia
Story Details
Key Persons
James Wood
Sarah Ann Peake
Judge King
Messrs. Johnson And Brooke
Location
Philadelphia
Event Date
Last Autumn
Story Details
James Wood tried for murder of daughter Sarah Ann Peake; acquitted on insanity grounds after brief jury deliberation; to be confined in lunatic asylum.