Prisoner name: James Landick, aged 33. Court and Date of Trial: Devon Lent assizes,...

Prisoner name: James Landick, aged 33.

Court and Date of Trial: Devon Lent assizes, March 1849.

Crime: Murder.

Initial sentence: Death.

Outcome: Answered 3 April 1849. No grounds to interfere.

Petitions and letters: Petition from chairman of the Jury, John Ledistone, saying they had made a 'strong recommendation for mercy' and did not consider it a premeditated crime.

Submitted by Edward Divett MP, with covering letters from Mr Sparkes, barrister. Three signed notes from: eight lawyers and others present in court; a further four; the Mayor, a Justice & 17 other citizens and a solicitor's letter, all of the opinion that premeditation was not shown, seeking commutation to transportation for life. The view of the trial judge, Justice Vaughan Williams, had been sought & was received on 3 April 1849, he had confirmed that death was not premeditated, but nonetheless thought it a bad case as an old woman, Grace Holman, had been held under a blanket to prevent her intervening in a burglary, and died of suffocation. A final plea for mercy on April 7th added nothing.