Posted with permission of the transcriber, Petra Michinson. Geo. NORTHERN CIRCUIT, CARLISLE, MARCH 14. MURDER. Mary BALNER was charged with the wilful murder of John HILL, her natural son. The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty of Manslaughter. As soon as the Jury re-entered the Court, the prisoner (who had previously conducted herself respectfully, but with much firmness and judgment, swooned away and remained insensible for some minutes. On recovering, she appeared agitated by powerful mental sufferings, and remained racking in agony, till relieved by tears and attentions of those persons about her. On her being called up for judgment, Mr. Justice HOLROYD, addressing himself to the prisoner, said, "The grand jury, upon the evidence before them, returned a bill against you for the wilful murder of your son. The jury who have patiently heard your case have acquitted you of the murder, and found you guilty of manslaughter. It is necessary, for the protection of young infants, that the crime of which you have been found guilty, should be visited with such severe punishment as to prevent those persons who are withheld by the feelings of humanity to their offspring from treating their children with cruelty and barbarity. The jury have declared that the unfortunate child's death was not occasioned by the blows which you gave him with the broomstick; if it had been so, I should have felt it necessary to pass a heavy sentence indeed upon you; as it is, the sentence of the Court is, that you be imprisoned for the space of twelve calendar months in the county gaol. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Petra