The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-12
Trial Of Wn. H. Thompson, for Forgery
DROoKLYH CITY COURT.
Before Judge Greenwood. and Aldermen Psst and

BRooKLYH CITY COURT.
Before Judge Greenwood and Aldermen Feet and
Lambert.
EMAy I-This case was brought to slose last
night, and Thompson was acquitted The evidence In
Smith, counsel for Thompson, commenced summing up
the for the defence 1T half nine this morning
which time the court took a recess for an hour At
three O'Clock Judge Rockwell commenced to sum mp
two ana half hours. Judge Greenwood then charged
the jury. The following is the
JUpcE's CHARGE.
Gentlemen Of the Jury The duty OF the court In
eondusting the trial Of this Ia performed
sept what remains in committing 1t 70 your sAA-fo
via the epdsriss Of . verdict for against the p
81 the bar. And allow me, gsntiemen TO impress
your minds ali eatranso~. matter. great deal hes
been said about the .Drurys Ashley Arlington bennett
You ar. sworn to try this cause according 10 tn.
evidence; and with all other considerations than
that you have nothing to DO, THE Judge here read
Indictment and read from the Statutes the Law sppii
cable TO the case The Court he said did not intend
In this case or any other TO interfere with the duties
Of the jury II 10 the duty Of the jury TO pae upon
the facts given In evidence. II Is the province Of
the court 10 instruct the jury IS to the law and is
II the court instruct the jury wrong there medium
through which the wrong can be corrected. II has
tion were altered and that they had been issued BY
the Esee Bank Incorporated ustt utien at Bristol
bin named in the indictment being the sAne one
which was paced to Mr.. vsndenhovcn, in Greenwich
street, In New York. This bill Mr. Ashley swears be
received from Mr. thompson and hrs. and Miss Ash
hey called and testify to Thompson having paid to
Mr. Ashley money similar to that, for passing which
he indicted But neither Of these witnesses iden
tines this particular bill IS one Of those paid to Mr.
by the prisoner NJ the bar The Identity OF the bill
with the testimony Of Mr. Lsbarron who Identifies il
= Of the bills obtained from the bank by young
Drury II this bill Is not identified ss one passed BY
Thompson. there Is end Of this case. The Judge
then passed to that part OF the law which audes the
possession Of forged note by person, knowing 1t to
be forged. The Law has laid down that, In order 90
prove that a person knew note found on him to be
forged was competent to shov that he had other
notes Of similar ae.eription In hi, gcs.s.on o. I'm
All the evidence, therefore, about the presses the
slass &C: was eompct.ni TO show the guilty know
who moved the press for Thompson, was here read
again 10 the jury as also the evidence OF Catherine
Davenport; who swcars that Q prcss was packed In
barrel at New Utrecht and cent to Mr. Drury's IL
IL for you gentlemen raid the judge, TO answer you
can. the question Of what Thompson was doing With
these two We're they for any legitimate use IN
his business This you must determine and
this qus'tion you must ans-er In reference to
made by Borland for Thompson might be used In alter
ing notes this testimony only 10 be used by way Of
show ing ums, ancer which int establish seasr
with r, gard to the evidence OF Margaret 0Connor
and Cstbsrne Davenport. the court left the jury to
give their evidence what weight they thought proper
And In inference TO the testimony Of acconpccs. the
Judge charged that. unlsss coIroborated their evi-
dence not to receive the same Difference as other
ana unoblfCtonebe Nhnf~@tr. but W t'tfVgHhtet
their testimony ought 10 be received n the enJsnt
knew the money TO be forged and posed u 20 Ashley
with the int TO dcfsud him for the purpose Of
Athley uterinc the bills he u undoubtedly guilty az
charged for the Intervention Of thrdparty makes no
difference In respect 20 the guilt Of uttering ". III
there be reasonable doubt In your minds you are
boundto give the prisoner the eaeat 81 that doubt
but II must be reasonable doubt Nov, the
theory OF the defence L. that the prisoner In
his connection with the parties alluded TO In this
trial, only acting In conformity With dcsire 20
bring criminals to Justice. end in order TO do that
he entertained them Mt Jis house, and visited
them 80 TO obtain from them such iuformston
would lead 10 their detection and conviction The
judge here reviewed the tesiimoy Of officer Norris
the Chief Of Police, oiccrr A. NJ G Smith, Joscphs,
and Gillespie Now, gentlemen (said he) u n nm
doubtcdly incumbent the prosecution TO make out
their case clearly. IL u not usual. | may remark,
that persons errage IN pursuits of THE hind he de-
cmoiumtnt unless we are led TO the belief that
he does II from very great philanthropy III such
phiisnthropic feelings governed the conduct OF Mr..
Thompson he deserves great erdt, and the then "a OF
this eommunty But on the other hand tthe Judge
charged AZ he had acted IN concert with criminals,
reelection In conclusion. Judge Greenwood called
upon the jury 10 decide according 10 the evidence
and the conviction Of their minds snd not dictated
BY the feeling, Of their hearts lie said his feel
ines had been favorable TO the prsoner daring the
trial hut he would never allow his feelings 90 interfere
with the performance OF his duty.
The jury were out about an hour, when they
turned verdict Of not guilty
when the verdict was rendered. Thompson covered
his face with his handkerchief aud remained notion
lese APPARENTLY overcome by his feelings for minute
or two lie then remanded to prson. to await his
similar offences TO that for which he has just been
trfr