Murderers pardoned over sentencing delay

Murderers pardoned over
sentencing delay

Mary Le Maistre and John Bishop appealed to King George II in 1736 when the Royal Court was unable to sentence them for murder because of a dispute between the Jurats

Jurats' resignations

The Island, the States and the bench of Jurats, who sat in both the States and constituted the Royal Court, were sharply divided, and some Jurats resigned, leading to questions being raised about the court’s ability to effect true justice.

The records of Orders in Council contain a petition from Mary Le Maistre and John Bishop, dated May 21 1736, to George II concerning their imprisonment for over two years awaiting trial for the murder of Mary’s child.

"The humble petition of Mary Le Maistre of Your Majesty's Island of Jersey and John Bishop, soldier in an independent company there, commanded by Your Majesty's Lieutenant Governor."

”On 13 November 1733 the petitioners were committed to close confinement in the jail of the said Island upon suspicion of having murdered a child of the petitioner Mary by the other petitioner John Bishop; they have been tried for the same and stand attenuated and convicted thereof.

"But for want of a sufficient number of Jurats, no sentence hath been yet passed upon them; and having remained there three winters, in the said jail, under close confinement; where they have suffered the greatest misery, they most humbly implore Your Majesty to extend Your Mercy to them."

The petition had the invaluable support of the Governor, Richard Temple, and his Lieut-Governor who wrote of "the great hardships the petitioners have suffered by lying in irons in the common jail near three years, where they have almost perished with cold and hunger".

Privy Council

The petition received the support of the Privy Council:

"Whereupon the Lords of the Committee in regard to the particular circumstances of the case, together with a long confinement of the petitioners and the many hardships they have suffered thereby and likewise in regard to the several recommendations on their behalf, do take leave humbly to propose to Your Majesty that you may be graciously pleased to extend your Royal Compassion to the petitioners."

George II extended: "His Royal Mercy and Compassion" and granted them a free pardon. "His Majesty doth hereby order that no further proceedings be had against the said Mary Le Maistre and John Bishop, but that they be forthwith discharged from prison and set at liberty."