Broadside entitled 'Trial and Sentence'

Commentary

This trial report begins: 'Just published, the Trial of Duncan MacMillan, for the horrid crime of assaulting and raviging the person of Jean McLauchlane, with the dreadful Sentence pronounced upon him, which important trial came on before the High Court of Justiciary yesterday, and lasted for twelve hours.' Publisher: Forbes & Co. Printers, 171 Cowgate, Edinburgh.

As outlined above, this broadside dramatically tells the story of how Duncan MacMillan was found guilty by a jury - meeting behind closed doors yet still naming the victim - of assaulting and intending to ravish Jean McLauchlane. As the jury returned a 'not proven' verdict for the rape charge, the sentence was mitigated from death to transportation. After concluding the main story, the broadsheet then gives a general court round-up of other crimes.

As with the tabloids of today, broadside court reports that recounted dark and salacious crimes were always popular reading with the general public and sold in large numbers. Immediacy was of great importance, as highlighted by the use of the opening phrase, 'Just published'.

previous