Charles Hutchinson Letter Book, 1880-81
p.543

[...]It can not be that these murderers will escape altogether. It is only sympathy that has protected them hitherto, & they will be prosecuted with more effect on some future occasion. I have this from the best authority -- ie. the foreman of the jury, Francis of Strathroy, told a gentleman in the cabs on his way home, that no less than 6 of the jurymen asked him, if it was possible to find a verdict of guilty in such shape as not to involve the death penalty, & when he said it was impossible, they resolved to give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt suggested by the judge, altho’ satisfied of the prisoner’s guilt.

Yours truly,
Charles Hutchinson, Cty Atty

AE Irving Esq, QC
Hamilton, Ont