Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1890 — BIRCHALL BEFORE A JURY. [ARTICLE]

BIRCHALL BEFORE A JURY.

The Alleged Murderer of Benwell Placed on Trial for His Life. [Woodstock (Out.) dispatch.] John Birchall pleaded “not guilty” and was put on trial hero to-day for the murder of F. C. Benwell. The prisoner was neatly dressed and entirely self-pos-sessed. Mr. Blackstock, one of the best criminal lawyers in Canada, defended the accused, Crown Attorney Cartwright and B. B. Osier prosecuting. A jury was. soon secured and, Mr. Osier opened the case for the prosecution. He told how Birchall had come from England with Benwell and Douglas R. Pelly to teach them farming on his - stock ranch ip Canada; how they Went to Niagara Falls Feb. 17, Birchall and his victim preceding Pelly and Mrs. Birchall: how the two former disappeared, and later how Birchall returned alone. He outlined these points in the prosecution; Birchall was the last man seen with Benwell. He was seen at Eastwood on Feb. 15 by several persons, although he denies being there. The officers found in Birchall’s trunk a pair of nickel scissors with a nick in the edge, aind the marks in the dead man’s clothing indicated that the name on his linen was cut out with the same scissors. Tho keys of tin) murdered man were found on Birchall, and these keys were in Benwell’s possession when he left Buffalo on Feb. 17. Pelly was the chief witness Of the day. He testified to tho journey from England, and to Bircliall’s description of his farm, which he proved not to have. The trip of Birchall and Bonwell on the day of the murder and Birchall’s reappearance alone that night wero told. Birchall said Benwell did not farming, and he sent him to two or three other addresses because he had received so much money. Birchall’s heavy boots wero very muddy when he returned.