The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins - [92]

The Witness thanked the Court but declar’d that she was quite Content with her Life, save for her current Woes. She spoke at length of the Prisoner’s Kind and Gentle acts towards her and diverse Others and swore that he was Innocent. She insist’d that the Prisoner was not capable of such a Bloody deed and that on the Night of the Murder he was in her Company at all times and Cou’d not have Done it.

The Prisoner interjected, reminding the Witness that she was speaking upon Oath and must not Perjure herself on his Behalf.

The Witness answer’d with great Vehemence that she was right Glad that the Prisoner troubled himself to Speak to her and was it not a Shame that he had not reply’d to her letters, and had refus’d to Meet with her despite her Many and Various requests to do so, giving no Consideration to her own Feelings upon the Matter, and moreover was it not a Folly that it took a Trial at the Old Bailey before he would speak two words to her and only then to Accuse her of Lying and so make further Trouble for them Both, and that she call’d upon the whole Court to Witness that the Prisoner had thus shew’d himself to be a Witless Fool and had indeed no Capacity for Murder not only because he had, she must concede, a Good Heart, but also a Muddled Head, to a Degree that was Vexing beyond all Measure, and it was truly a wonder he had surviv’d this long, and a marvel indeed that she yet cared a great deal for him – God help her – and begged that the Jury would Judge the case by its facts and not by the Prisoner’s Behaviour, which was Perplexing and Infuriating in equal Parts. And she ask’d the said Prisoner if he had turn’d mad, and should be locked in Bedlam instead of Newgate, and did he not see that her Heart was Broken? At which point she Wept most Piteously, and the Prisoner seem’d much affected, though he did not Reply.

The King’s Council, who had failed to Interrupt this testimony at Several Junctures, took this opportunity to dismiss the Witness, who was led away by Alice Dunn.

The Court observ’d that it was a great Pity to see such a spirited young woman ruined by a Black-Hearted villain, and that here was Instruction for any foolish Strumpet who had fallen into evil company. The Court then spoke thus:

Prisoner, you hear the Charge and Evidence against you; now you stand up on your Defence.

Prisoner. My Lord: notwithstanding what has been sworn against me, I am Innocent. I confess I did threaten the deceas’d but this was done in a moment of ill humour and under much provocation and also Liquor. The deceas’d had spread Vile lies about the Town and had threaten’d to Destroy me. I am Guilty of speaking Violence, my Lord, but not of committing it. Indeed I have an abhorrence of Violence. I could no more stab a man than plunge the Blade into my own Heart.

My Lord, the King’s Council has offer’d no proof that I committed the Act, only Rumour and Conjecture. I swear upon my Soul that I am Not Guilty and beg that the Jury considers the Facts and does not Judge me upon my Character, for I own that I have not always Behav’d with Good Judgement, and should I be spared will Strive to be a better Man, God help me.

The Court asked if the Prisoner still believed the Murder was committed by one of the children of the Deceas’d, or by Ned Weaver, his Apprentice?

The Prisoner reply’d that he did not. He acknowledg’d that in his Desire to prove his Innocence he had caused Distress, and express’d his Apologies to the family. He added that it was his belief that a House breaker had stolen in and disturb’d the Victim, and so murder’d him in cold blood.

Council for the King. And how does the Prisoner account for the Doors and Windows being barred and lock’d?

Hawkins. I cannot account for it, sir. I am at a loss. But I swear I am Innocent.

The Court asked if the Prisoner wished to call upon any witnesses to speak in his defence?

Hawkins. I regret that I have no witnesses to call, my Lord.

The Court observed that a Man with no Friends or Family to speak for him at such an Hour was a pitiable Wretch indeed and the Jury should consider this Fact when they came to Deliberate: that the Prisoner could not find one Soul in the whole Kingdom to speak for him.

And here the Prisoner rested his Defence.

The Court then proceeded to sum up the Evidence to the Jury with great Discernment and Observation. The Guilt or Innocence of the Prisoner was left to the Jury’s Determination, who did not leave the Court but agreed after a brief time upon their Verdict, finding Thomas Hawkins Guilty of Murder; and the Verdict was so Recorded.

FINIS

Chapter Twenty-One

The jury found me guilty. Twelve gentlemen, who cared so little for my defence that they did not even deign to leave the courtroom to deliberate. A hurried discussion, curt nods, and it was done. I have sat with friends and agreed supper plans with more care and scrutiny.

Friends. The judge had spoken the truth – what good was a man with no one to speak for him when his life hung in the balance? I had spied a few of my old companions in the crowds, watching me fight as if it were a game of skittles. No doubt they would be placing bets on how soon I would hang. These were the men I had called friends these past few years. Not one had spoken for me.