Strange affair

Strange Affair. Particular Account of JOHN WOOD, who is now under sentence of death at Perth, and is to be Executed there on FRIDAY the 16th July, and what is wonderful is to be tried at Edinburgh the day before his Execution, for another crime, Housebreaking and Theft, and though he should be cleared of the second indictment, he must suffer the day following for his first offence , being one of the most singular circumstances which has ever occurred in Scotland. The above unfortunate young man, who was condemned along with another young man of the name of Donnelly, for Housebreaking and Theft at Perth, at the last Circuit Court of Justiciary there, and were sentenced to be Hanged at Perth on the 4th of June last, and who received a respite of one month, and another for a fortnight, are to be Executed on Friday first, the 16th July, 1824. What makes this case so remarkable, is the fact, that he is to be tried the day previous to his Execution at Perth, in Edinburgh , upon au another indictment, charging him with Housebreaking and Theft in the house of a respectable Gentleman in the same neighbourhood. The reason for this strange step We are not acquainted with, as the newspapers do not assign the particular motive. They say, that he has been blamed with a departure from the religion of his fathers, which they who have attended him in his devotional exercises positively deny. Be that as it may, any person of common sense would never for a moment suppose that a new trial would be brought forward on account of the religious principles which, the man professes; perhaps, it is quite the contrary, and may be done to satisfy both the ends of justice and the prisoner. Let the issue be what it may, it cannot be worse for the prisoner than the punishment he is already doomed to suffer, except the agitated state in which it may place him, his end being so near at hand. We believe the whole affair to be nothing more than to fairly investigate the business, and to bring the guilty to that punishment which such a crime merits. Every person will naturally feel for the unfortunate man, for being taken from place to place in this awful situation, but it is infinitely better the case be investigated that it may appear whether he be innocent or guilty. W. Carse, Printer, Glasgow.