Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-12-19
From the N. Y. Gazette, Dec. IS.

Court ofOyer and Terminer.-
A. Randall, was yesterday tried before
Judge Van Ness, on charge Of an as
sault upon Henry G. Disbrow, Thomas
Foster, and Nathaniel Slosson, with intent
to kill. The particulars OF Raudai's de-
tending himself against the above peace
officers have been published; and il is
also known that Mr.. Disbrow died of the
wounds received by the hands Of Randall.
After patient trial, and charge from
the Judge, the jury retired for few min
utes, and returned with verdict Of man
slaughter. Nothing saved Randall from
a different verdict, but the want Of some
formality on the part of the Constable, in
entering the house Of the prisoner.
Van Wyck, district attorney for the
prosecntion-Wm. Price, aud d. B. Og-
den, for the prisoner.
The following is summary Of the ev-
idence:
Slosson, one OF the Marshals, had an
execution for about $50, against Randall,
and had the promise of pay ment, but made
|
he went to Randall's house in Broome-
street, for the purpose Of making levy !;
taking with him an acquaintance. The
prisoner lived up stairs. The doors be-
low were fastened; on knocking, woman
looked out Of the upper window and on
inquirins for the prisoner, she replied
that he was gone into the country. Mr..
Slosson replied that he did not believe it,
as the neighbors had told him that they
had just seen him; and that if she did not
open the door, he would break it open.
After some other conversation, he did
break open the door and stepping into
the entry, saw the prisoner at the head Of
the stairs, with Ratchet in his hand, in
threatening posture, and making use Of
other opprobrious language, told him to
60 out of the house, or he would be the
death Of him. Slosson then advanced up
the stairs, when Randall. fourishing his
Ratchet over his head told him to go
down. Slosson told him he was peace
officer, aud in the discharge of his duty
| Randall then repeated his threats, aud said
that if he did not Immediately leave the
house he would be the death of him. Ran
dali came down the steps aud Slosson re-
treated to the door the former aimed a
| blow at Slosson's head with his Ratchet,
which was warded off by his arm, and
which inflicted deep and dangerous
wound, of which he is now languishing,
The neighbors assembled, and carried
Slossou home.
1 The person who accompanied Slosson
went down to the Police office to procure
a warrant against Randall for committing
this outrage but meeting with MIR. Dis
! brow. the constable of the ward, he with
several others returned. Randalrs door
was again found TO be fastened. MIR. Dis
brow, after speaking a few words 10 the
woman at the window, Immediately broke
open the door, aud entering saw Randall
at the head Of the stairs. Mr.. d. seeing
an axe near the door, supposed II was the
same weapon that r. had used against
Slosson, and hence concluding that he
was uuarmed. advanced towards him with
his party. The prisoner threatened them
with violence, and that he would throw
hot water Oh them, If they did not retire.
Disbrow went up stairs and told him that
he must submit. He replied that if be
did not keep off he would be the death Of
him. When Disbrow got within reach,
lhe drew Ratchet from under his coat