The Council, that when we returned our verdict in this case, we made it one of "Guilty" recommending the prisoner strongly to Mercy on the ground that at the time the pistol was snapped at him, he was not conscious of his acts. Two of the witnesses stated this. This verdict being interpreted by the Court into one of "not Guilty by reason of Insanity", they acquiesced in the same, but not at the time aware of its consequences.
The result, we find, has been that the unfortunate prisoner has been treated as if a Commission of Lunacy had sat on him and pronounced him insane.
We beg to represent that this view of the case is one which we regard with extreme regret, as his confinement is dictated by some technicality of the law which operates very hardly against the prisoner. We would respectfully bring to your notice that in arriving at our decision we were convinced that Captain Thompson's indisposition was merely of a temporary description, and arose from some strong exciting cause. This cause was stated by the prisoner to have been poison administered to him, but this counter charge was not entered upon at the trial.
We therefore respectfully suggest that his case should be taken...