1830-1854
Spurned wife tried for murder
Long before O.J., there was Ann K. Simpson. Her 1850 murder trial in Fayetteville was as captivating and controversial as O.J. Simpson's was 145 years later.
She was the first woman tried for murder in Cumberland County and possibly the state.
The facts: On Nov. 8, 1849, Ann Simpson's husband, Alexander, died. An autopsy revealed arsenic in his stomach. He was a successful businessman who owned a carriage shop on Person Street. A warrant was issued for Ann Simpson's arrest, but she fled to Charleston, S.C., and then Havana before returning for trial.
The testimony: The Simpsons' seamstress testified that Ann Simpson showed her a letter from her husband that said she "loved another better than me. For the sake of your friends you may stay in my house. ... Prepare a bed for me upstairs tomorrow. You can no longer be my wife."
An employee of druggist Samuel J. Hinsdale testified that Ann Simpson bought an ounce of arsenic, allegedly to kill rats.
A boarder testified that Ann Simpson served her husband coffee and syllabub, a drink of wine, milk, eggs, lemon and sugar. He became ill. The prosecution alleged that she put arsenic in the coffee.
Testimony also included reports of Ann Simpson's visit to fortune teller Polly Rising, who predicted her husband would die within a week.
The lawyers: The lawyers assembled in the courthouse at James Square were the best the county had to offer.
Prosecuting were Thomas Ashe and James C. Dobbin, who later became secretary of the Navy.
Defending were Warren Winslow, who later became governor; John Winslow; Robert Strange, a former U.S. senator; and D.K. MacRae.
Ann Simpson, described as a woman that "did high justice to the mid-century fashion of snug bodice and abundant skirt," never took the stand.
Testimony ended at 3 p.m. Prosecuting and defense lawyers presented arguments until 2:30 a.m.
Lore has it that MacRae swayed the jury with his summation.
"You cannot give her peace - you cannot restore her to joy. No more will the glad sun of prosperity shone upon her way, or the sweet flowers of pleasure spring up in her path. ... Her spring time and summer have faded out and all around, far as her eye can reach, is mantled with the white sheeting of misfortune's wintry snow.
"But gentlemen, you can let her live. You can allow her for her allotted time to remain where mercy is sought and pardon be found."
The jurors deliberated for three hours, returning at 6 a.m. to render a not guilty verdict.
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