Trial of Duncan Terig, alias Clerk, and Alexander Bane Macdonald

A bustling courtroom in mid‑nineteenth‑century Edinburgh becomes the stage for a dramatic murder trial that pits two men—Duncan Terig, known as “Clerk,” and Alexander Bane Macdonald—against the accusation of killing Sergeant Arthur Davis. The case draws an astonishingly high‑ranking jury, from dukes and earls to prominent lawyers and clergymen, turning the proceedings into a vivid portrait of the era’s social hierarchy and its impact on justice.

Presented as a faithful transcript, the narrative lets listeners hear the sharp wit of counsel, the strategic objections, and the tension between legal formality and personal vendettas. As the evidence unfolds, the trial reveals hidden motives, political undercurrents, and the precarious balance between reputation and truth, all while maintaining the brisk, courtroom‑drama rhythm that keeps the story moving forward.