The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-03
ANN Arbssy-A1ioh. ------,aus-
Correspondence Of the Herald.]
ANN ARBoR, Michigan,
~ November 25th, 1913.

1NONtnlDcT Aoths 1919. -
Trial for Misunderstanding Weather.
My DEAR BENEFIT ~
A most exciting trial for murder has Just termi-
mated in this place. The facts OF the case are
these Some time IN the month OF June, OF last
year, twoi Irish laborers of the names OF Charles
Choir and Patrick Dunn, had an alteration, which
resulted in Dunn's inflictng several severe blows,
withsa stick club, on the head of Choir. AT the
complaint of Choir, action for assault was COM
menced against Dunn, and he bound over to APP
pear at the following November term of the Crimi-
nal Court of the County. An affidavit, made by
Dunn, influenced posponement of the trial to the
May term of this year. The parties were neigh
bors, and the quarrel was constantly renewed. In
the month of April of the present year, Choir bor-
rowed from friend, for the purposes, as he stated,
of hunting, a rifle. On the morning of the oath Of
that month, the neghborhood was startled by the
report of gun, and the cry of murder. Several per-
sons fastened the spot whence the proceeded,
found Dunn MORALLY wounded, and on being ques
toned to who inflicted the injury, he charged
upon Choir. step.-son of Dunn, at the time OF
firing of the gun, was in position to observe Chorr,
and saw him raise the instrument, take sight, fire.
&C., although he could not, from his station, see
his father The evidence OF tins Witness the re-
peated, earnest, and solemn declarations OF the
murdered man, who did not expire until the fol
lowing day, accompanied by the coroboratve tes-
timony of others, formed the proof offered by the
prosecuting attorney of the guilt OF the prisoner.
The counsel for the defence put in the now fashion
able plea of insanity, which they made every effort
to establish The physicians Of the county were
examined at great length on the subject the prison
questions by DIR. Denton, who, Judging from the in
geniousness and peculiar fitness of the inerroga-
tories to the witnesses, has familiarity with the
causes and effects of insanity which can only be
the result of deep reflection and great research.
The. taking of the testimony occupied from We'd
nesday, 18th inst to this week Thursday. On
Thursday afternoon, the associate Of the prose-
cutting attorney, G. Hawkins, Esq, opened on the
part of the State, and was followed by - Sedgwck,
Esq, for the prisoner. Friday morning, N. Rams
dell, ESQ.,, the principal counsel of the prisoner,
commenced his argument, which occupied the en-
tire day, terminating at ten O'Clock PM All the
ability and eloquence ofthe learned gentlemen, one
of the most popular and successful criminal law
yers of our State exerted to obtain an acqult-
tai. He was succeeded TO-DAY by Governor Mum
hours distinguished for ability, fairness and power.
He commented with much and just severity on the
now prevalent custom of referring every murder to
insanity. The Judge Immediately charged the
Jury necessarily strongly against the prisoner, the
evidence being so positive in its character; and
they, after short absence, returned with verdict
of guilty. The murderer is apparently shrewd
but exceedingly Ignorant man. His previous cha;
racter, according to many witnesses, was good, and
his peaceful habits and quiet demeanor were sworn
to. He has large family of small children, who,
in company with the mother, were present to-day
during the charge of the Judge, The boy alluded
to as having seen Choir fire the gun, who is the
step-son of the murdered man, and some fourteen
years of age, displayed the .grossest ignorance
When questioned on the stand, he said he did not
know east from west, or north from south; did not
know, but thought second or minute was more
than an hour, &c During the progress ofthe trial,
large number Of ladies graced the court room with
their presence; and so great their apparent in
terest, frequently to detain them until the ad-
journment of the court late in the evening
I'VE have had here much rain of late, and we
have every indication of an open winter. There
is much activity in business, an abundant harvest
and every prospect of successful results, to the va
rious agencies Of production. JAMES