Extracts from the Evidence delivered on the Trial of Robert Sawle Donnall, Surgeon and Apothecary, for the wilful Murder, by Poison, of his Mother-in-Law, Mrs. Elizabeth Downing, Widow, at the Assize at Launceston, March 31, 1817.
(Taken in short-hand by Alexander Fraser.)
EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN.
Dr. Richard Edwards (examined by Mr. Sergt. Lens).
You are a physician, resident at Falmouth?—I am.
How many years have you been in the profession?—About sixteen years.
Do you recollect being called in, as a physician, to attend Mrs. Elizabeth Downing upon the 3rd of November?—Yes, Sir; I was called in between four and five o'clock on the Monday morning.
Were you in the habit of attending her?—Once before, at a distant period.
Several months before?—More than that.
When you came there, and when you were introduced into the room in which she was, what state did you find her in?—I was let into the house by Mr. Donnall; I went into the back room and asked him some questions as to Mrs. Downing's illness, and he informed me she had an attack of Cholera Morbus.
Did any thing more pass that was material, before you went into the room where she was?—He told me she had a similar attack a fortnight before.
Did any further communication take place?—I asked
