The prisoner was tried before Mr Alexander Colvil Justice depute, at the instance of Mr Thomas Nicolson, his Majesty's Advocate.  The indictment accused him of having committed incest with Janet Carse, daughter of Agnes Brown his wife +, about thirty five years since, or thereabout, his wife being then alive; also, of having committed adultery with Jean Walker during the lifetime of his said wife.

The prisoner with great penitence confessed his guilt before the Court and jury; and a verdict being returned against him, the Court ordained him to be taken on the next day to the Castle hill and beheaded, and his personal estate to be forfeited.